Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 42
Overview
Evie and Tatianna prepare for Lord Fowler’s “magical beings” party aboard the airship to advance their bid for his rare wand. Tatianna confides fear about trusting Clare again, and Evie reassures her. Evie then chooses allure as strategy, resolving to leverage the party to influence their host.
Summary
Evie fights a suffocating corset until Tatianna arrives, diverts the strict dresser, and frees Evie to breathe. The friends take stock of the themed party they must attend aboard Lord Fowler’s airship, a necessary step to earn Fowler’s rare wand and eventually return to the ground.
As they ready themselves, Tatianna’s nerves surface. The healer admits she loves dressing up but feels guilty amid their mission. When Evie asks what else is wrong, Tatianna confesses she fears the truth about Clare—she wants to reunite but doubts Clare is free of her mother’s influence and worries about trust.
Evie responds with empathy and reassurance, telling Tatianna that trust can rebuild if they are meant to be together. The moment steadies Tatianna, who thanks Evie for saying what she needed to hear.
With a maid’s help, Evie chooses a sheer, shimmering dress instead of the corset, deciding to make an impression at the party. As they finish dressing, Evie reveals her plan: she intends to weaponize charm to bring her target “to his knees,” leveraging the evening to advance their aim of securing Fowler’s wand.
Who Appears
- Evie SageProtagonist; rejects a painful corset, reassures Tatianna, and plans to use allure at Fowler’s party to gain leverage.
- TatiannaHealer and friend; rescues Evie from the corset and confides fears about trusting Clare again.
- Mrs. RyefordStrict dresser who attempts to tightly lace Evie’s corset before being diverted by Tatianna.
- Maid (unnamed)Helps Evie dress for the party, noting the gown’s revealing design.