I ran all the way to Coven Hall, Charlotte right behind me, wanting to ride the veil, but hearing Mom's voice in my head, begging me to play it cool even as the terror I felt at Ameline's cryptic note drove spikes of panic through my chest.

The last time she'd contacted me about someone I cared about, I'd found my demon grandmother dead in her apartments and was accused of her murder. So I didn't think anyone would blame me for the blinding fear gripping me as I raced after ...