I typed back a single word: *Okay.*

The next morning, the rain had cleared, leaving the city cold and grey.

I arrived at The Marigold Room at eleven-thirty, thirty minutes early.

The heavy oak doors were locked, but I used my staff key to enter.

The dining room was empty, the tables covered in white linens that looked like small, neat shrouds in the dim light.

The smell of stale wine and furniture polish hung in the air.

I walked toward the back, near the private booths.

I saw Elise sitting at one of the tables near the bar, polishing wine glasses.

She looked up, a worried expression on her face.

“Harper,” she whispered, looking around.

“What are you doing here so early?”

“I have a meeting,” I said.

“With who?” she asked, her voice dropping lower.

“Seraphina,” I said.

Elise’s eyes widened, and she almost dropped the glass she was holding.

“Why does she want to talk to you?” she asked.

“I don’t know yet,” I lied, not wanting to drag her into the center of the storm.