Back at the gala, the ghouls were talking about everything that had happened.
“So let me see if I’ve got this right,” said Draculaura. “First, Deuce breaks up with Cleo, then Cleo decides to do that Promise Ceremony with Seth, but then Seth is like all, you know, never mind, and Seth is really that rapper Pharaoh and he wants to fang out with Catty Noir.” She sighed. “And now you’re saying that this party is completely out of King Tutankrab rolls?”
Luna nodded. “All of these things are true.”
Frankie spotted Catty returning to the party. “Catty, over here!” she called.
But Catty walked right past the ghouls, preoccupied, as if she didn’t see them.
“Catty, what’s the matter?” Operetta called.
“Oh,” said Catty, turning around. “Hey, ghouls.”
Clawdeen rushed over to her. “Catty, we had no idea you and Seth, I mean Pharaoh, had feelings for each other…”
“I guess.” Catty frowned. “I mean, we did.”
“Did? What do you mean?” asked Frankie.
But before Catty could answer, the gala was interrupted by another announcement. Madame Ptolemy was speaking from the podium. “I have just been assured that tonight’s unfortunate outburst by my son was merely an ill-conceived attempt at…” She coughed. “Humor.”
Everyone began murmuring and gossiping. Could that really have been all that it was? It sure didn’t seem funny.
“But the offending party,” continued Madame Ptolemy, “has apologized and assured me that the Promise Ceremony will proceed as scheduled. Isn’t that right, Seth?” She made sure to emphasize his name.
Looking sullen and sad, Pharaoh stepped out from behind a pillar. He was clutching Cleo’s hand. Cleo held her head high. Pharaoh put his golden mask back on his face. He was Seth once again.
Out in the crowd, Mouscedes saw Nefera and Toralei off in the corner, whispering to each other. She began to put the pieces together. Nefera was involved in this. She knew it.
Nefera was handing something to Toralei. “Get rid of this!” she hissed. The crystal pulsed with the rhythm of the voices trapped inside of it.
“Mrreow! It’s a deal,” purred Toralei.
“Eek!” squeaked Mouscedes. “It’s a deal?” She had to get to the bottom of this… fast.