hly. Before the manager could stammer a refusal, Alex, who had followed Alice inside, leaned in and murmured just loud enough for the woman to hear, "Remember, the LVMH boar

cachet that came with dressing the world's most mysterious

we that you're here. Tha

er reflection ghosting across the glass beside the mannequin's

sky without stars. Alice recognized the construction-she'd studied the house that made it, deconstructed it

nd of garment that moved like liquid when you

ed high with the particular strain of someone who'd spent the day preparing to be see

bered, or perhaps her memory had softened it, mad

that held its architecture together. Let them watch her ignore them. Let them feel the

d. She remembered his old scent, the simple sandalwood she'd bought him for their first Christmas,

lic face. "Douglas Jefferson. I'm honored-truly honored-that you're considering our humble boutique

tu

absolute confidence of someone who had never been told no. She let the silence stretch

e," she said. "I ac

ation in his eyes, the rapid reassessment of approach. "The

near the entrance, her face flushed with the particular rage

event-the ph

d instinctively, pressing against a display case of handbags that cost more than most cars. Alice stopped ju

dress," Alice sai

ifted. "I reserv

on. "Not the dress. Not the man. Not the position you think you've secured." She leaned closer, her voice dropping

sensed danger without understanding its source. Krystle's hand foun

e had changed, stripped of its pe

don't be r

ow

e irrelevant to her plans. She moved to the gown, began to unfasten it from the display with the efficiency of someone who

manager ventured.

her body, felt its weight settle into place

s attention, hungry and frustrated, the attention of a man who saw

ilk slid over her skin, cool and indifferent. She adjusted the ne

ut beautiful in a way that suggested edges, danger, the kind of beauty that attracted and repelle

he fire. Remembered the hand

que, into the eyes of her enemies,

ression when he saw her-really saw her, in the gown that had been meant for hi

" he breathe

she finishe

o a shimmering void, revealing nothing but the suggestion of a face, deepening the mystery. Behind her, she heard Krystle's voice rise i

r. Jefferson's schedule," she said. "He's hosting

he boutique, scanning the street for her departure, his face arranged in the frustrated

hen send a gift. Something from

d across the screen

"No message. L