Eavan smothered a laugh; Nyx knew that Eavan had been only partially joking. It would fit in, and they’d enjoy having it here. Sometimes when all the rest was set aside, Eavan suspected that Nyx was the only one who truly understood her. The older glaistig didn’t approve of Eavan’s urge to live as a mortal, but she understood the impulse to forge new rules. Following a path simply because it had always been done that way wouldn’t make sense to Nyx. Of course, neither would chastity.
Eavan sat on the back of the sofa, perched behind her grandmother, and began unplaiting the woman’s thick rope of hair. The tendrils were like living things in Eavan’s hands, as if night had taken solid form. “You look lovely, Grandmama.”
“Of course.” Nyx stretched; muscles that shouldn’t exist rippled under her wrinkleless skin. The strength in those muscles would make it a simple thing to crush Eavan’s throat—and no one would stop her. Eavan learned that lesson years ago when she stood up to Nyx the first time.
And a dozen times since.
Nyx wasn’t callous, no more so than anyone else in the house, but she was in charge. Forgetting that was unwise.
“Bring him in,” Nyx said.
The tension in Eavan’s body rose. She paused a heartbeat longer. “Him? Grandmama, what have you—”
“You’ve stopped brushing, Eavan. I don’t like that.”
Dutifully, Eavan resumed the measured strokes, gripping the olivewood handle, pulling the tufts of boar bristles through the thick tresses, keeping her eyes on her task—and not looking at the man who’d entered the room.
Like a lamb to slaughter.
“I’ve checked all the windows,” he said by way of greeting.
“Lovely.” Nyx rolled her shoulders. “Keeping brushing, Eavan.”
“Yes, Nyx.” Eavan stayed in her increasingly uncomfortable position on the back of the sofa where Nyx was seated. She didn’t look up at him. If Nyx had brought him here, had insisted Eavan meet him, he was dangerous. His voice alone, a deep growling bass, was proof of that.
Temptation. Eavan knew her family wasn’t above underhanded tricks; treachery was their first instinct. Perhaps it’s not that. She knew better though. Nyx didn’t rule one of the strongest clans of glaistigs by accepting defeat. Ever.
“The windows aren’t secure at all,” the man added. “A screwdriver and—”
“Right, so we’ll replace those. NeNe?” Nyx made an imperious motion.
“Here.” NeNe held out a blank check. “Fix whatever needs fixing.”
“Our home’s security is very important, Mr. Owens,” Chloe said.
“It’s Cillian, ma’am,” he corrected.
Eavan paused at the change in timber of his voice; he also sounded almost as assertive as Nyx. When Eavan looked up, her fears were confirmed: he was perfect, a visual feast, lean, confident, and seemingly unintimidated by the nest of vipers he was in. His instincts should be telling him to flee or to bow before Nyx. He did neither. He stood there as if oblivious to her charm, to all of their allure.
Eavan couldn’t help but stare, just as Nyx undoubtedly expected. He was fit without being bulky, muscular and toned. If not for his almost pouty lips, his face would be too stern. As it was, he looked just this side of fierce—not easily daunted or foolishly aggressive. It made her want to see what it took to provoke him.
I am above this. I am stronger than instinct.
The older glaistig looked back and caught Eavan’s gaze. A guilty blush burned on Eavan’s face.
Nyx’s posture hadn’t changed, but she had her confirmation: Eavan was intrigued.
Too much so.
The man made a note as he said, “I’ll have one of my associates drop by to go over the literature on the different options for replacing the windows.”
“Whatever. Really, my cousin’s safety is really the difficult thing, Mr. Owens. As I said, that’s why I needed you here today.” Nyx caught Eavan’s hand and tugged so that their clasped hands were resting just over her collarbone. “Eavan doesn’t seem to understand how dangerous refusing to stay with the rest of the family is. A young girl in the difficult world all alone…”
“Is she in some sort of danger, ma’am?”
“Inevitably. She’s foolish, you know.” Nyx squeezed Eavan’s hand until tears threatened. “I worry so over her. Beautiful. Wealthy…and with the things I see in the news…Did you know there were shootings just up the street from her flat?”
Eavan blinked the tears away. Her voice was clear, though, as she said, “I’m not moving home. No matter what…happens.”
“I’ll accept that,” Nyx said mildly. “In fact, I’ve hired Mr. Owens’s firm for that very reason. I’ve taken a lease on the vacant flat across from yours.”
“I don’t think—”
“Or you can move home.” Nyx looked back at Eavan. “You have choices. Prove to me that you can do as you’re told or return to the fold where I can look after you. I’ll not have you die to prove a point.”
“Nyx,” Eavan pleaded, “please?”
Nyx turned away.
“I want to apologize for making you stay in Eavan’s dismal building, Mr. Owens. How anyone could want a tiny little nest in some ugly modern thing…It’s appalling.” Nyx’s reply couldn’t have held more vitriol. She sighed melodramatically before adding, “NeNe and Chloe will go over the other details with you. Eavan and I have things to discuss in private before you two leave.”
And with that, Nyx dismissed him, and NeNe and Chloe were at his sides almost instantly to assure that he was removed from the room. Nyx spoke, and the world obeyed.
Except me.
“Tell me about your associates, Mr. Owens,” Chloe murmured as she trailed fingertips over his stomach.
“Chloe.” Nyx curled her mouth into snarl. “Not acceptable.”
“Yes, Nyx.” Chastened, Chloe ducked her head and hurried the man out of the room.
Eavan repressed a shiver as everyone left her behind.
Not that witnesses would matter.
Eavan stood. Wordless, she walked over to place the brush on one of the vanities.
Nyx pulled the dark spill of hair over her shoulder, where it coiled into a rope that would’ve made Rapunzel jealous. She turned her gaze to Eavan. “Do you think it’s easy for me to think of you vulnerable to the dangers of the world?”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“I’d rather you didn’t die.”
“I’d rather no one died,” Eavan said.
“Sometimes death is necessary.” Nyx made a fluttering gesture with her hand as if to shoo away an insect. “Yours is not one I’d like.”
Eavan bowed her head. She’d lost. She’d lost months ago, but simply hadn’t known it yet. Nyx had concocted some story, hired a bodyguard, and effectively entrapped Eavan. She’d been sentenced to spending her time around a tempting mortal.
How am I to do anything about Daniel now? Eavan wasn’t about to admit that she’d been hunting the drug dealer. Nyx was always surly over dealers. She liked her strip clubs well enough, but refused to allow any drugs in her clubs. Unlike Daniel.
“He’s pretty.”
Eavan turned to stare at her grandmother. “What?”
“The man. He’s pretty. The type you try not to look at.” Nyx stretched her legs out on the divan. “I notice, child. I’ve been noticing for years.”
Eavan didn’t dare turn her back on Nyx, so she settled for a shrug.
Nyx laughed, sounding joyous as she often did after long days of partying.
“I’m not like you, Grandmama. I won’t be.” Eavan’s mouth was dry. It’d been months since Nyx struck her, but the possibility was always there. “Putting him in my path doesn’t change that. You’re wasting money hiring him to ‘protect’ me.”