The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4 (Cursed #3-4) - Rebecca Donovan Page 0,125

it out. “I got this bracelet. Do you know anything about it?”

“Oh, yeah,” she says, picking it up. “They came by while you were getting ready. We don’t have to carry around our phones tonight. Instead, we’re all given bracelets to indicate where we are. It’s how Brendan’s going to know when the monster arrives.”

“Guests are given one too?” I confirm.

“Theirs are silver. That way, security can be certain whoever is supposed to leave does.”

“I guess I don’t give Blackwood’s security enough credit,” I say, recognizing that this is pretty brilliant. “I wish we could wear these all the time instead of carrying around the stupid phones.”

“They may switch to these,” she says. “But we’d never be able to take them off. This is only the second time we’ve used them. I think they’re still testing them out.” She snaps it around my wrist. “Ready to go live?”

I shrug, not understanding until she presses the clasp and a small beep goes off.

“You’re officially on the grid. Brendan’s supposed to be able to locate us by our bracelets as well.”

“So their security isn’t that secure.”

“Or he’s just that good.”

“I prefer scary.”

Arden laughs. “There’s a fine line between monsters and heroes. You know that, don’t you? A choice here. Restraint there. Who’s to say when the line is crossed between vengeance and justice?”

“What was in your tea?” I ask, teasing but feeling a chill go down my spine.

“Let me in!” Ashton demands from the other side of my door.

When I open it, my mouth gapes wide. “I don’t think you’re going to fit through my door.”

“It’s only fabric,” Ashton dismisses me, her shimmery white ballgown folding in around her as she enters like a queen. Her black hair is teased and woven with silver strands and coated with glitter. A string of sparkling baubles hangs around her neck.

“I’ve never seen sleeves quite so … puffy,” I tease.

“You have no idea who I am, do you?” she says, reading my puzzled expression.

I scrunch my nose in apology.

“She’s Sarah from the Labyrinth,” Arden declares, clapping. “I love that movie. You look stunning, Ashton.”

When I still look confused, Arden shakes her head in disappointment. “Oh, we are definitely having a movie night when this is over. It’s only one of the most incredible movies ever.”

Ashton adds as if to explain, “It’s an ’80s movie.”

“Oh!” I say, the big hair and voluminous balloon sleeves suddenly making sense. Regardless, she looks absolutely breathtaking.

“Now let’s figure out how to position this.” Arden inspects Ashton’s bustline, the camera in her hand.

A light tap on the open door spins me around. Lily and Kaely stand at the entrance.

“Omigod!” Kaely squeals when she sees us. “You’re the Looking-Glass from Alice in Wonderland. You’re Sarah from the Labyrinth. And you’re the hunter from Snow White. I am so in love with all of your outfits.” We stare at her, in awe that she got it immediately, at just a glance. “Does that mean Grant is going as Snow White?”

“Uh, I don’t actually know what he’s dressing as,” I admit, still stunned. “You look so … cute.” Why can’t I figure out who anyone is? I grew up on fairytales.

Kaely’s wearing a gauzy white dress, her hair slicked back in a severe low bun with strands of small pearls meeting at the center of her forehead, attached to a gold emblem. Her eyes are haloed in red.

“Lana,” Ashton scolds. “You really need to watch more iconic movies.”

Kaely giggles in amusement. “I’m the Empress from The Neverending Story.”

I bare my teeth and shake my head in apology. “Never seen it.”

They all sigh like they feel sorry for me.

Then there’s Lily. And I do know who she is, but I don’t even know what to say. She’s glowing, as always, but a little more literally, wearing a blue ballgown with lights woven into the fabric. And atop her blond head is a tall, shimmering crystal crown. There’s a sheer opalescent fabric attached to the crown that mimics a bubble surrounding her. As a twist, she’s wearing the glimmering ruby slippers. But then again, maybe the Good Witch is deceptive in Lily’s version of the story. Maybe she was willing to kill for what she thought belonged to her.

“Glinda!” Ashton exclaims. “That came out so amazing. Come in. Arden will get … you a drink,” she corrects quickly when I flash her a panicked look.

Kaely doesn’t know about the body cams. Not that Lily knows the entire truth either. She was told a fabrication of what’s