In a desperate attempt to save themselves, they venture into the outside world and discover a well-kept secret.
The book will be released on Oct. 2.
To preview the anticipated book, EW can exclusively reveal the cover as well as an excerpt.
Credit: meganshepherd.com
Read on below, and pre-orderGrim Lovelieshere.
No one would tell her exactly what it was a statue of.
Anouk could hardly go outside and look for herself.
HMH Books for Young Readers
Mada Vittora strictly forbade her to leave.
Their too-white sneakers gave them away.
They were holding hands, which made Anouk smile, but their faces wore a thin anxiousness.
It was a look she saw too often.
Anouk knew the fountains magic was only a story, but sometimes, secretly, she wasnt so certain.
It was the wishers faces.
Yes, maybe the statue was of a Greek god.
The line of parked cars, most of them black and spotless.
The sad little tree in the front garden that no one ever remembered to water.
A sleek car slid into the empty space in front of the townhouse, and Anouk sat up.
Mada Vittora was back.
He paused to stifle a yawn before opening the rear door.
Mada Vittora climbed out, glaring up at the sun through thick sunglasses.
She wore the fox-fur coat that had been delivered last week from Galeries Lafayette.
My pretty girl, Mada Vittora had said, looking over Anouks shoulder in the mirror.My pretty little beastie.
Anouk jumped up to fire up the front door.
What were Viggo and Hunter Black doing in the city?
Mada Vittora had sent them to handle business in London just last Tuesday.
Surely they hadnt arranged everything so soon.
Anouk stepped back silently as Mada Vittora swept up the front steps.
Were going to have company, my sweet.
The fox fur smelled of leather and perfume.
Anouk smoothed its wrinkles and hung it in the hall closet.
A dinner party, and dancing too.
Youll have to air out the ballroom.
It still smells of sulfur.
A secretive smile played at the witchs lips, and no wonder.
(Especially on the men.)
Six all together, Mada Vittora said, unpinning her hat.
Well take it in the salon.
She handed Anouk her bag, parting with it as though lending a treasured book.
Today it was a black Hermes purse, ostrich leather soft as a newborns skin, gleaming gold hardware.
Yesterday the same bag had been a crystal-studded clutch.
The day before that, a crocodile Gadino.
Mercurial and magically vast, it held the deepest of secrets.
Anouk cradled the oubliette to her chest, then set it down next to her.
Youve never worn that necklace before, he said.
Anouks hand flew to her throat, to the small token tucked just beneath the collar of her sweater.
Leave it to Hunter Black to spot the peek of gold that no one else had.
Shed strung it on a chain.
its from Luc, she stammered.
I mean, I found it in his room.
He wouldnt mind me taking it.
His rooms had felt suspended in time without him.
It had been a week since hed disappeared.
She toyed with the franc coin, working her worries into the etchings.
It still smelled of thyme; of him.
Hunter Blacks gaze went to Mada Vittora in the hall.
She wouldnt mind either, Anouk said.
She tucked the necklace back under her sweater and cleared her throat.
Ill hang up your coat, if you like.
She held out her hands.
Hunter Black gave a gruff sort of cough and sauntered off behind Viggo.
She let her waiting hands drop, then picked up the oubliette.
That had gotten rid of him, at least.
The three of them disappeared into the salon, discussing business and gossiping and speculating over tomorrows party.
Glasses clinked; Hunter Black was probably pouring them the whiskey.
Wet lips brushed Anouks cheek, and she jumped and clutched the oubliette tighter.
She whirled on Beau.
The drivers hat was askew on his head, a boyish grin on his face.
Youre awful, Beau.
She turned to the closet.
She lowered her voice.
She jerked her chin in Hunter Black and Viggos direction.
Beau let out a long sigh as he tugged off his driving gloves.
Things went sour in London, I take it.
The Trafalgar Witch didnt want to agree to the new terms.
Sent them packing as soon as they arrived.
Viggos in a mood.
Viggos always in a mood.
Mada Vittora said something in the car about more pressing matters here.
I dont think she was referring to just the dinner party.
Great, Anouk muttered.
The last time we hadpressing matters, more than one body was found in the Seine.
At least Hunter Black wears dark clothes.
Viggos shirts are impossible.
Dont they understand how hard it is to get blood out of white linen?
Laundry might not be the first thing on his mind, cabbage.
But maybe it should be on yours.
She looked down to find streaks of dust across the aprons front.
Impossible this is a fresh apron!
She wiped at the stain uselessly while Beau chuckled.
Dust, dirt, crumbs .
She untied the aprons bow at the back of her waist, fighting with the ruffles and ribbons.
She pulled the apron over her head and balled it up against her plain gray dress.
Did they say anything about him in the car?
He shook his head.
Its been a full week.
People dont just vanish.
Beau clutched his gloves in one hand and rested the other on her shoulder.
Let me worry about him, okay?
Ill figure it out.
Anouks fingers twisted in the aprons straps.
Movement outside the window caught her eye.
Another couple strolling down the lane, arm in arm.
Parisians, by the look of them.
Her hand went to the franc coin at her collar.
Id throw a coin in the fountain if I could.
Beau kneaded her shoulder.
You know wishes made in the fountain wont come true, he said softly.
It isnt real magic, not like Mada Vittoras.
Its just a silly thing they believe in the Pretty World.
Daydreams and fantasies to keep themselves entertained.
Anouk didnt answer, sliding the smooth franc between her fingers.
Outside, the sad wilted tree dropped a leaf.
The rosebushes along the street were dying, too, without Luc there to care for them.
From some upper room, the smell of English thyme drifted down.
Hunter Black had returned to the hallway, his dark hair falling in his eyes.
He didnt bother to brush it away.
Mada Vittora wants a word.
Beaus hand fell off her shoulder.
His look said he wouldnt want to be her.
Ill see you after dinner.
Ive got to wash the car anyway.
Give the tree some water while youre out there?
Hair pulled back in a matching ribbon too.
Anouk stuffed the soiled apron in the hall closet and went to the kitchen for a fresh one.
Mada Vittoras husky laugh mixed with the notes of clinking ice.
business, I suppose.
This city is mine.
A shiver caught Anouk at the princes name.
Mada Vittoras cheeks were already flushed from whiskey.
No, he wouldnt deign to come.
Itll be one of the others, some lesser Royal.
A duke, probably.
Behind Anouk, Hunter Black cleared his throat.
Was there something I could do for you, Mada?
Ah, my dear.
She set down her lipstick-stained glass as a grin sliced between her pretty cheeks.
Although four hundred years old, she didnt look a day over forty-five.
Sunshine-kissed hair in silken waves to her shoulders.
Skin pulled painfully tight over sharp cheekbones.A fortune in plastic surgery, some might have said.
All it took was a weekly bath of lavender-sage tonic mixed with two thimblefuls of Viggos blood.
On the sofa behind his mother, Viggo wore a similar conspiratorial grin until Mada Vittora stood.
The moment her back was turned to him, the smile melted off his face.
He took a long, hungry draft of whiskey
I have a surprise for you, my pretty girl.
Anouks hands froze on her hair bow.
Half done, one snaking end of the ribbon falling to her shoulder.
Is it about tomorrows party?
She couldnt keep the hopeful note from her voice.
Anouk was never allowed to attend the parties.
No, my sweet.
Not about the party.
Anouk tried not to let her disappointment show.
She cocked her head, a question on her lips.
Mada Vittora placed an icy hand on either side of Anouks face.
Her smile stretched wide.
Tonight, my darling, you go outside.
Do you mean it?
But first, youll need a good pair of shoes.
