29. Harper
TWENTY-NINE
HARPER
“Trick or treat.” The tiny ghost held out his loot bag.
From Savannah’s apartment door, I gushed, “What a scary ghost you are,” while dropping a handful of Halloween candy into his bag.
“Boo,” he screamed, before turning back to the woman standing in the hallway, who I assumed was his mom. He grabbed her hand and began dragging her to the stairwell.
With a sigh, I closed the door. The candy bowl on the side table was still filled to the brim. Other than the ghost, there had been one other Trick-or-Treater so far, a princess. It was shaping up to be an uneventful evening. Meanwhile, my friends were putting themselves in danger by attending the Carder gala.
Pacing back and forth by the door, I glanced at the blank screen of my phone. I had no new messages from Savannah or Connor – or Wyatt, not that I expected to hear from him after the way we’d left things. But I knew enough about their plans to infiltrate the gala, to know that Wyatt would have arrived by now. The thought of Valentina on Wyatt’s arm made me queasy, and I slammed my phone down on the table next to the door.
It wasn’t just jealousy that I was feeling. Sitting around, doing nothing, while the people I loved put themselves on the line – it didn’t sit well for me, and a gnawing pit was beginning to build inside me, growing larger by the second.
The light rap at the door startled me. “Trick or treat,” called the low, male voice from the hallway.
My mood instantly lifted as I opened the door to greet Scott. “What in the world are you supposed to be?” My hand flew to my mouth to stifle the laugh.
He sighed and lifted his mask, letting it dangle from his hand. “It’s supposed to be scary,” he groaned. “It’s from some horror movie, Antlers or something.”
The large shadow of what I assumed to be one of Wyatt’s men was lurking in the stairwell below, likely eavesdropping. “Did you have a hard time getting into the building?” I asked.
“Yeah. What’s with the sweaty goons down there? I think one of them followed me up.”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure. I guess the apartment beefed up security for Halloween.” It was safer to leave Scott out of everything. “One sec. I’ll grab that camera for you.”
I ran to the bedroom and grabbed the camera off the desk from where it had been charging. The ribbon from my dad lay beside it. Something bothered me about the ribbon, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Thanks, Harper,” Scott said as I rejoined him in the front hall. “You sure you don’t want to come with me? This party’s going to be dope. I’ve been practicing my rendition of “Mr. Brightside” all week for the karaoke competition.”
My palm flew to my face. “You know I hate karaoke. That’s just extra encouragement to stay home tonight. Honestly though, I’m happy staying in and handing out candy.”
He glanced at the candy bowl and scrunched his nose. “Kids. Yuck. Well, it’s your funeral. It won’t be a late night for me anyways. I have to tutor in the morning,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“What happened to the magazine?”
“It turned out they wanted me to actually fish. Who would’ve thunk,” he sighed. “I could handle sitting in the boat no problem, but the second they wanted me to hold that slimy creature, I was out of the water faster than a feral tabby cat forced to take a bath. I’d rather spend my morning teaching about diphthongs and homophones,” he groaned.
My head jerked up. “What did you just say?”
Scott tilted his head. “The fish thing?”
I waved my hand. “Never mind. It’s nothing. Have fun at your party.”
His eyebrow raised. “Have fun feeding kids sugar.”
I couldn’t close the door behind him fast enough. I ran to the bedroom, snatching the ribbon from the desk. I’d racked my brain repeatedly trying to decipher its meaning, when the answer had been as simple as kids’ grammar. And I had Scott and his tutoring plans to thank for that.
All these years, Dad had been hiding out in Stirling County, right under our noses. It was easy to assume that he’d have known about tonight’s masquerade ball, and given what he knew about me and Wyatt, that I’d be attending. If I was right, then Dad was planning to be at the gala at eight, standing under some sort of a wave, in a deer mask. Looking for me.
My nerves were on fire. Dad was putting himself in grave danger being around the Carders. Could I trust Wyatt to follow through on his promise to me? I wasn’t sure just how far he’d be willing to go for the human woman who’d broken his heart.
No. I couldn’t count on anyone. I needed to be at that gala to meet my father.
Glancing at my phone screen, I gulped. It was already seven. I didn’t have much time.
My bare face, puffy from crying, and my disheveled ponytail weren’t anywhere near gala-ready. It would take a miracle, or a Fairy Godmother, to get me ready on time. Luckily, Savannah, with her closet of couture and her “what’s mine is yours” motto, was my real-life version of a Fairy Godmother.
I’d spent the last decade thinking my father had abandoned us and stolen our life savings. I was wrong and I wasn’t going to let him down.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry. But I need you to step aside.” The guard, a beefy man wearing a tuxedo, crossed his arms and puffed his chest.
“Can you check the list again? I should be on it.” I glanced at the clipboard in his hand and stood taller, flicking my hair over my shoulder. The silver butterfly mask I’d found in the bottom of one of Savannah’s drawers matched perfectly with the tight silver A-line dress that I’d found shoved in the back of her closet.
“Hey, Butterfly.” A second security guard had wandered over, only this one wasn’t as friendly. “You’re not on the list. Move. Over there,” he pointed to the brick wall, “so we can let in people who are.”
“I am on the list. You just need to find Savannah—” I quickly shut my mouth. Savannah couldn’t know I was here. No one could.
“Excuse me.” A woman wearing a turquoise and orange-feathered mask brushed up next to me. Her hair, a rich copper, cascaded down her shoulders in waves, giving the illusion of a bird on fire. “This woman here is my guest this evening.”
My jaw dropped in surprise.
The guard looked back and forth between the two of us, sighing as he rubbed the crease between his brows. “Name?”
“Starling. Gina.” She turned to me, then back to the security guard. “And Miss Harper Davis.”
Before I could ask any questions, we were quickly ushered inside the art gallery, and into the line for coat check. “How did you know it was me?” I whispered as I removed my long wool coat, tucking it under my arm.
“I saw you in a vision earlier, stranded at the door. Though my senses must be a bit off. In my vision, you were covered in flowers,” she laughed.
I couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious, so I just nodded. “Thank you. Your outfit is beautiful.” The form-fitting sequin dress matched her mask, complimenting her figure. She was a beautiful woman, like Valentina. But unlike Wyatt’s awful date, I could feel warmth and kindness radiating from her.
Stretching my neck, I scanned the room for a glimpse of Wyatt or his crew. I knew what he would be wearing, and who would be on his arm. I didn’t know if I was ready to see him, but until I could figure out the rest of my dad’s clue, I needed to be on the lookout so I could avoid being seen.
“He arrived about an hour ago,” she whispered.
My legs felt like jelly. “Who?”
“Wyatt. That’s who you were looking for, isn’t it?” She paused before continuing. “I hope I’m not overstepping here, but I can feel the immense sadness emanating from you both tonight. I’m sorry about your breakup.” She touched my shoulder.
The line had moved surprisingly fast, and it was our turn to hand over our coats. I reached into the sparkly silver clutch I’d borrowed from Savannah, but Gina put her hand on top of mine. “Allow me. I have more money to spend now, than I know what to do with,” she laughed, handing a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill to the attendant. “Keep the change.”
She linked her arm through mine and we stepped away from the counter. “Believe it or not, I married for love,” she whispered, a whimsical smile on her face.
As we strolled into the main gallery, my first thought was that Savannah and her team had outdone themselves. The normally brightly lit gallery had a dark, gothic feel, with candles lighting the pathway between the different rooms. The spot lighting had been changed, the walls giving off a sensual red glow, highlighting the expensive art. Round tables covered in blood red linens, with tall vases overflowing with black roses completed the look. We could have been walking into a vampire’s lair, or a haunted house. But there was only one ghost from my past that I hoped to see tonight.
Masked guests milled all around us. It was impossible to recognize anyone, and my shoulders relaxed. “How did you know about our breakup?” I asked. “Did Wyatt tell you?”
She shook her head. “It’s my husband that knows Wyatt. But as I said earlier, I have… abilities. Though sometimes they present a little differently from the truth.”
The waiters all wore matching Guy Fawkes masks, like in the movie V for Vendetta . Gina let go of my arm and reached for a champagne flute from the tray of a passing waiter. “I’m guessing none for you?”
I shook my head. “I’m good, thanks.” I needed to keep my wits about me. The last thing I needed was a champagne buzz.
The waiter bowed at Gina before moving on to circulate through the crowd. She took a sip of her champagne and sighed appreciatively. “Breakups are hard. I know that, firsthand. Everyone wants a glimpse of the future before they make a big, life-altering decision. And as a psychic, I can tell you that,” she paused, leaning in dramatically, “I see a happy future for you, with a beautiful, healthy baby girl.”
My smile stretched from ear to ear. “You can see that?”
“You’re going to be a wonderful mom, Harper.” Her smile matched mine.
The heaviness that had been weighing on my heart released at once. I wasn’t sure if I believed that Gina was psychic, but she’d been right about me being stuck at the entrance, and again about the breakup. I hadn’t believed in sasquatches or werewolves either, but here I was.
If Gina could see into the future, then I’d made the right decision to end things with Wyatt. For her vision to come true, our relationship would have had to end eventually. And it was better to end things now, before they got even more complicated.
Gina’s voice snapped me back to the room, which was buzzing with excitement. “Oh, another download! What you’re looking for is in…. let me see.” She tapped her forehead as if concentrating really hard. “The Dynasty Gallery. It’s down there on the right.” She pointed in the direction, then glanced down at the diamond-encrusted watch on her wrist. “You’d better hurry, Harper. It’s almost eight. Good luck.”
She gave a slight wave and disappeared further into the gallery, leaving me standing there, stunned. I hadn’t told anyone about the secret message.
Right now, Gina was the best lead I had – the only lead, to solving the last part of Dad’s riddle. Whether I believed in her psychic abilities or not, I decided to take a chance.
Rushing through the gala, careful not to trip in the silver stilettos I’d borrowed from Savannah’s closet, I made my way to the Dynasty Gallery. Like Cinderella running toward what I hoped would be a happily ever after. Only there would be no Prince Charming in this scenario. Just my mutant father, and hopefully some answers.
As I reached the entrance, a chime rang out across the gallery, announcing eight o’clock. Low and rich, it gave an extra haunting effect to the night.
I scanned the room. The centerpiece artwork hung on the back wall, glowing an eerie red. Goosebumps prickled my arms, the hairs raising. We’d hung a framed copy of The Great Wave in our living room growing up. It was Dad’s favorite. Now I was staring at the original.
A small crowd of guests were milling about the room, sipping cocktails and admiring their expensive gift bags filled with what looked like luxury beauty products and perfume. I pushed through the crowd, my dad the only thing on my mind, as the chimes continued to echo. But just as suddenly, I came to a stop.
Through my mask, I could make out a giant, tuxedo-clad man in a top hat in the corner of the room. A tall raven-haired woman was hanging off his shoulder, her gown the color of the tablecloths. I recognized the top hat, but it didn’t matter – my body would know his anywhere.
My heart raced out of control, threatening to escape from my chest. Damn Wyatt. Would my body ever not respond to his? Would he ever stop having this immense power and control over me?
I took a deep breath. There was no way he could recognize me. He wasn’t expecting me to be at the gala, and I’d done a careful job of slipping past the guards posted outside Savannah’s apartment building. As far as Wyatt was concerned, I was spending the night at home, alone.
Straightening my shoulders, I continued to walk, slow and steady, towards the painting, trying not to draw attention to myself. A waiter paused next to me, extending a tray of canapés, but with a flick of my wrist, he moved toward the next closest guests.
As I neared the wall, the crowd suddenly parted like the sea in the painting, and my breath hitched as I took in the enormous man shuffling nervously on his feet. His hair matted against his full-faced black stag mask, he seemed to be scanning the room for something. As I came into focus, he froze.
Seconds felt like minutes as we just stood there, facing each other. His hand hung at his side, and he raised a few fingers to acknowledge me.
The final chime rang through the gallery. This was it, the moment I’d been waiting for. I’d finally found my father.