Witch’s corpse. Witch’s ticket. Witch’s party. As a counter-boy at a high-end men’s boutique, Charlie Jessup’s life consists of little more than work and sleep. That, and enough flirting to help guarantee his commission on sales will pay his rent. So when a twist of fate, and some behavior unbecoming that of a Ganymede employee, leaves him in possession of a dead man’s pass to a mysterious Club 669, Charlie has no desire to waste it. Every seventeen years, the House of Witches throws a party like no other. It’s invitation-only, and for centuries it has helped ensure peace between the covens. It’s the last place Caspian wants to be, but with the death of Queen Avel, and his own imminent rise to the throne, it’s more important than ever that he attends. The stability of the House depends on it. In four days a new king will be crowned, but when Charlie unintentionally crashes a gathering of the most secretive of all the Great Houses, he sets in motion a series of events that could disrupt the transition of power, and threaten the future of the House of Witches forever.

Club 669

“This.” He indicated the surrounding building. “They only happen once every seventeen years. I’ve never even heard a rumor of someone from outside getting in.”


“What exactly is this?” I asked, remembering the second-story balcony with people watching the crowded floor below. “It’s not a normal party.”


“It’s an orgy.” He said it matter-of-factly, and still it took me a moment to realize he wasn’t joking.


“You came here to have an orgy?” I wasn’t sure if I was turned on at the thought or jealous and was afraid he could read the conflict on my face.


“No, you did. I’m in mourning.” For the first time he looked a little uncomfortable. “It’s just my duty to be here.”


Before I could ask him what the hell he was talking about, a knock on the door sounded and Caspian hopped up again, asking me to try and sit completely still.


“I’ve been asked to bring the boy to the basement.”


Chapter 11