The Black Coats(46)

In the background the strains of Johnnyswim began playing over the kitchen radio. Adam Porter smiled and stood up from the table. “Thea, it’s been a while, but would you dance with me? I love this song.”

Thea offered her hand, and Drew’s dad took it, twirling her around the patio. When he stomped his feet and began clapping, Drew joined in. Thea lifted her feet and threw out her arms, letting the happy beat echo through her. It was the opposite of what she had expected: meeting her boyfriend’s dad had somehow turned into a truly lovely evening. Thea spun in the twilight, letting a carefree delight wash over her: a new feeling for a new time.

Thea returned home a few hours later, hoping to slip into the bed she was beginning to miss so much. A light was on in the kitchen, and when she entered the room, the solitary figure at the table made her leap backward. “Oh my God! Mom! You scared me. What are you doing up so late?”

“Oh, sorry, honey.” Her mom rested her arms on their worn kitchen table. “I was just making some tea for your friend.”

Thea shook her head. “Drew stayed home with his dad. He’s not here.”

“Not Drew, honey, your other friend. Mirabelle?” Her mom’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Is that the one you and Natalie used to talk about?” She checked behind her. “You know, the mean girl?”

Mom, Thea thought, cringing.

“Well, she’s here.” Her mom raised her eyes. “She’s upstairs in your room, and pretty upset by the looks of it.”

Thea nodded, inwardly sighing. An emotional Mirabelle was going to be the opposite of sleep. Thea’s mom handed her two steaming mugs of tea. “Quick, tell me—how was meeting Drew’s dad?”

Thea sighed. “Good. I really liked him, actually. We had a good time. They have a horse.”

“Interesting. Is his dad a rancher?”

Thea shook her head. “No, he’s some sort of public defender, I think.”

Her mom patted her cheek softly. “You’ve got your color back, girl. It must be Drew.” She raised her eyebrows with a smile.

“Mom, stop.” Even as she said it, Thea knew that she didn’t mean it. Seeing her mom smile was a gift that she would never again take for granted.

“Okay, I won’t keep you. Go see Mirabelle.” She shook her head with a laugh. “Wonders never cease.”

Thea made her way up the stairs, the smell of honey and chamomile tea making her eyes water. With her foot she pushed open the door. “Hey, Mirabelle, what’s—” She stopped when she saw her face. Her teammate looked destroyed. Mascara had run down her cheeks in long black rivulets. Her normally bright blue eyes were red and glassy, and her perfect mane of hair was piled into a tousled bun on top of her head. Thea put the mugs down on her bookcase before turning to Mirabelle. “Oh my God. What happened? Are you okay?” She pulled her into a quick hug before stepping backward.

Mirabelle reached into the pocket of her hooded sweatshirt and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She handed it to Thea, her hand giving a slight tremble. Thea carefully unfolded the tearstained paper.

Mirabelle Watts Inheritance

Dear Mirabelle,

As a luminary, it is my job to decide when it is the appropriate time for you to earn your inheritance. I feel that the time has come for you, Mirabelle Watts, to take yours. With my permission, you may commission your team for this Balancing. Both the target and the severity of the punishment are up to you. All the information you need is provided here.

Signed,

Julie Westing

Thea struggled to find her breath. An inheritance? Already? It was crazy. Did that mean hers was on the way, too? She shook her head. “What are you going to do?”

Mirabelle leaped up. “What do you mean, what am I going to do? I’m going to take it!” The streetlight cast shadows across her sharp cheekbones. “Marc Mitzi stole my parents from me. He paid a three-thousand-dollar fine and was in prison for a very short time for reckless endangerment.” She spun around, her eyes flashing. “A slap on the wrist, for taking my entire life!” She curled her fist. “We are going to make him bleed. Tonight.”

“No. Not tonight. Not tomorrow night. We need time to plan, and I’m not letting you go out when you are in a state like this. Look at you. You’re a train wreck, and it’s understandable, but you are not in the right frame of mind for a Balancing. No way.” She reached out for Mirabelle, who was sobbing into her hands. “I know you want to go right now, because you’ve been waiting for this your entire life, but tonight is not the night. Say it.”

Mirabelle took in a painful breath before she choked out the words. “Tonight is not the night.”

Thea curled her arm around her friend’s shoulder. “Okay. We will do this. Today is Saturday. How about Wednesday night? We’ll leave straight after school for Mademoiselle Corday, grab our gear, and then go. But, Mirabelle, you know it can’t be you. Hitting him. You’re too invested emotionally. It has to be us.”

Mirabelle nodded, her voice now stripped of all emotion. “I’ll stay in the car.”

Thea doubted it, but that was something to worry about later. “Mirabelle, we’ll get him, okay? We just need time to plan.” Thea eyed her bed with longing. “Why don’t you stay here tonight? I’ll sleep on the floor. I used to do that all the time with—” She lost her voice halfway through the sentence.