Of all the unexpected things to happen that night, Eddie showing up was certainly not the last of them. As Aster and Jace stole away from the party into a more secluded part of the garden, they found another surprise waiting for them in a sparsely lit archway by the garden’s side gate.

Tucked away into the shadows, wearing a beautiful sky-blue gown and silver cowl and hood, was none other than Nathalya Rane.

“Nat!” Aster barked a shocked laugh, and ran up to ...