During the drive back, I practice disguising myself as Miranda, the homeless girl, and mastering my story. I recite my rap to Lily to make sure I have consistent details.
“I went on a date with a guy named Beckett back in my old school,” I say, “and it turns out he was a Trueblood.”
“Cornville High in Nebraska. There's a Trueblood coven out there, so that checks out,” she says, eyeing her computer. “It's a small coven, but there is a guy named Beckett they exiled for hanging around human girls too much. The story checks out.”
“Good,” I say. “Then I felt weird afterward and realized I was attacking people in my sleep. So I left, going anywhere but near my family.”
Riley nods as he drives. “Excellent. You can do this.”
“Just don't try too hard to hide,” Lily tells me. “Do that, and you're the suspect. I watched a show one time about a kids' camp where there was a child actor there, and I knew it was the shy kid before the end of the show.”
“Of course,” I say. I'll go into the mansion looking eager. After all, the mansion is supposed to be a place for wandering Nightsides to feel safe. Dad even set it up that way. Of course, I'll be the “first” to take advantage of it.
“I'm going to act cold towards you, because I'm disappointed that Olivia has run away,” Riley says. “I'm sorry. Try to hit on me once or twice, and I'll reject you.”
I nod, hating this plan. But it's the best thing we've got.
We pull up to the mansion a moment later, and I focus on projecting that dyed black hair, kitten sweater, and ripped jeans. I imagine anyone on the upper floors looking down and seeing Miranda in the back of the car, sitting beside Lily. Definitely not in the front, where I actually am. Hey, it's good practice.
We get out a moment later, and I hesitate, looking at the mansion as if I've never seen it before. I allow my mouth to fall open and I silently say wow.
The door opens before Riley reaches it. “Where have you been?” Walton asks, taking up the doorway. He does not approve of the leader being gone for so long.
I snap my gaze to him. Walton glances at me with zero recognition. It's working.
“Olivia's missing. This is not good,” Riley says, almost pushing Walton aside. “Someone tried to manipulate her while we were training, and she wanted to go to another town, so we did. And then she ducked out.” He enters the house, shoes clicking. “I can't believe this. Lily's been trying to find her, but she's already in Chicago.”
“Olivia left?” Walton lets his jaw drop.
“She's gone. Dropped off the radar,” Lily says.
Walton looks at her. “What are you doing here? You're not allowed in the mansion.”
Riley shakes his head at her. “I'm sorry, but I'm calling you a cab. I have to honor the will of the coven. Thank you for finding this Nightside before the Beaumonts could get to her.”
Lily nods. “I understand.”
I stand there like I'm unsure what to do. I'm getting into this role already. Now I need to live and breathe Miranda, the lost girl, so I hang back near the car, waiting.
“Oh. Come in. This is a Nightside zone,” Riley says, motioning to me.
“Who is this?” Walton asks, nodding to me.
“We found a rogue Nightside. We couldn't leave her in Shacklesburg, as we found the Beaumonts over that way,” Riley says.
I enter the mansion, cringing under Walton's stare. But he asks no more questions about me but turns back to my boyfriend. “Riley, I am sorry. Love is tough. I've been through many breakups in my time, and they don't get any easier.”
Riley storms into the kitchen. Wow, he's convincing. He leaves me standing there like an extra in a play.
I won't let myself get hurt. This is necessary, at least until we find the Originator. And it could be Walton, for all I know. It could be any of the men.
“Unbelievable,” Riley mutters, stopping.
“You found the Beaumonts?” Walton slowly asks.
“We sighted Addie,” Riley says, reappearing and shutting the front door. “They must have seen Olivia and scared her into leaving. I haven't been able to contact her. Shit. I need her help.” He pounds his fist on the wall and I jump.
Footsteps follow, and I glance out the window to see Lily waiting outside. I focus on my new, crisp Midwestern voice, trying to hear through the others' ears as I speak. “Why can't she come in?”
Riley glowers at me. “We don’t allow hunters in the mansion. I know she found you, but it's part of the deal. Walton, can you show her where the spare bedrooms are?”
He's so dismissive that I balk, which adds to my act. But Walton doesn't miss a beat. “What's your name?” He's almost fatherly.
I've got to watch out for that. “Miranda.” I leave it there, because Dad used to say that using too many words could—
Screw him.
I'm done.
“Welcome to the Nightside mansion,” Walton says with a smile. “You'll be safe here. What brought you to this part of the country?” He motions me away from Riley.
We walk upstairs, and I hang my head like I'm tired. And I tell him the same story I recited to Lily and Riley, over and over, not missing a detail. And as we climb, I listen to my surroundings.
The women are having a card game down in the lounge, and Lola, Becky, and Trish are among them. The other Nightside women, Camilla and Peg, are off to the side, sipping fancy tea. Nothing weird there. Then I turn my hearing to the second and third levels of the mansion, letting my senses spread out as Walton leads me forward. It's in character to look around at everything,
