The Devil Wears a Signature Ring

ou didn't

he drawer. The silk shimmered like liquid beneath the vault lig

t," she

Not really. She hadn't touched t

t colder. Not heavier. Just... different. Like the atmosphere c

her in the reflection of th

Just he

ath quickening. Then she grabbed her

you at t

vault lights off, and shut the doo

h wouldn

m didn't want

ca was reviewing documents with Marcus and Amay

nk to tell me a

xpression shifted-anger, conf

did yo

p her phon

stiffened. "Where

e vault, tucked in li

paled. "That's not just an auct

ading and stood slowly. "You w

o l

ared at the image. "This

no ki

ecifically des

s impo

ring has chosen, Isla. But you may

that's what it felt like-a war room dressed in velvet and mahogany. A map of

took t

fashion gala-slash-auction-slash-ritu

rom what?"

ask. But they always come back when the legacy

a. "They think yo

," he sa

s agreed. "

lking about me like I'm

aring in the doorway like a gothic apparition. "

ll me what they

o see if the ring responds. If it reco

n like a

sacr

in front of th

or that had s

ing for signs. Madness? Inf

back. No fog th

shing her hair behind her ear,

exac

esit

arted, and it m

ar it. But she

the

he mirror of

she'd made

go to the

her. "You're ou

ll just keep pulling strings. I'

get out u

y touched.

the window. "You don't

explai

Each dress is stitched with a memory, a sin, or a secret. When you wear it, it

appens if I

being Is

allowe

answers,"

ons you'll wish

, they pre

adjusted the dress. Marcus handed

e it once," he said

I'll save it for s

epped i

't say

watch

him. "Well?" Do

said, almost reluctantly, "You look li

her a blac

in

ddress. Jus

open

t. Midnight. Le Théâtre Silencie

wasn't held in a c

some said. Others whispered it had burned before it was ever built. That

ough back streets in

ne s

ved, Isla step

m the shadows, jaw s

fter ten minut

e still b

tated.

e interrupted. "Just ma

ened for her like th

en gutted, but the chandelier still hung-cracked and swa

e already

. Shadows

sharp suits wi

ed as she

lt it moving with her. Not on h

man at the e

ated. "Isl

scanned a

inked.

ou're listed as La P

ke that, th

y. Not re

they recogn

began at

body wrapped in gold wire and translucent f

ep left

ame th

Unplac

arrived. The cyc

owd ap

ted chair-red velvet, e

remember

, their dresses whispering s

nal model s

loaked

in vi

the ring was the

t cra

ia

w it. F

her row, he t

ered everything, she kn

ghts d

how e

biddin

called ou

memories. S

aughter's f

me of the one

t breath befo

ses were

ly, it wa

is hands. "The bearer's

gree to thi

to," he replied

s stepped

is hand on

.. the