“Great,” I muttered, glancing at the white board. “Oh he’s coming over tonight? That’s the last thing I need.” I glanced at the clock. I had half an hour before he showed up.

  “You look different,” Penn said, turning to me. “What happened with Devon?”

  I took a deep breath. “Before Vaurice gets here, I need to tell you what happened. I’m not sure what you’ll think, because I’m not even sure how I feel about it.” I hopped up on the counter. “Tonight, Devon and I worked on integrating my demon heritage.”

  Penn paused for a moment, then she set the pan down. She let out a slow breath. “Well, it’s about time,” she said. “You’ve needed to do this all your life.” She seemed so serious that I was taken aback.

  “I thought you might be worried,” I said. “You’re one of the few who’s seen her when she was out of control.”

  “Far from it. Now, you have better control. When you split her off, you lost that. And yes, I’ve seen you at your worst—her worst, if you want to split hairs. Remember when I stopped you from killing Jace?”

  “You stepped in and prevented disaster, but at a steep cost,” I said. “I’ve never fully forgiven myself for putting you through that.” I still felt guilty over how far Penn had gone to save me. She had to live with a memory that should have been mine to bear.

  Penn poured her soup into a bowl and put the pan in the sink. She wiped her hands on a dishtowel. “I have no regrets. If I’d have found him first, I would have done the same, whether or not you were there.”

  “Really?” I asked. I believed her, but I still felt responsible.

  “Truly, yes. But don’t you see? Now that you have control over your shadow side, you can make decisions on a conscious level. That part of yourself can’t break through and take control, unless you choose to let it happen.”

  “I do understand. Devon and I talked about this,” I said.

  “You’ll be more functional when you are face your enemies.”

  “Maybe I over compensate because I know what I’m capable of, but I just…”

  Penn tapped her fingers on the counter. “Remember, I’m pledged to Hecate. She rules the night, she rules shadow magic. And my life is steeped in her energy. I’m not afraid to there, because that’s who I am.”

  A dark horse, Penelope Fircrest was half-Fae, half-human. She was also one of my two best friends. Born in 1958, she didn’t look a day over thirty. The Fae aged so slowly it was hard for humans to notice. They weren’t immortal like the Elves seemed to be, but for all intents and purposes, they might as well be ageless. As for Demonkin, we aged far slower as well, on about the same scale as the Fae.

  And Penn, as she said, was a priestess of Hecate, goddess of the crossroads, the night, and dark magic. Penn’s world view was steeped in the shadow magic of the world. And yet, she was one of the kindest people I knew.

  I thought about what she said. Maybe, I was afraid to take control because then I’d have to admit to myself that I was a killer when need be. It sounded so harsh, but sometimes, it took standing in the shadows to fight the shadows.

  “You’re right,” I said, her words sinking in. “I need to accept this is who I am, and that it’s okay to be who I am.”

  “Overthinking the situation won’t do you any good,” Penn said. “Now, go wash your face and I’ll make you a latte so you can focus when Vaurice gets here.” She paused, then said, “He gives me the creeps, but I’m not leaving you alone with him. At least, not in our house.”

  “I’m sorry I had to open the house to him. I would never have done so, if Seton hadn’t showed me just how important this is.” I hopped off the counter.

  “I know that,” she said. “The situation is bigger than both of us. And you know we all have your back.”

  Three weeks earlier…

  “We need your cooperation,” Seton said. He was sitting next to Lazenti. We were all there, in Seton’s house. It was near midnight. Lazenti had slipped out of the Underground carrying only a backpack and a messenger bag. Seton had friends on the inside who had managed to sneak out more of Lazenti’s things.

  We weren’t sure if Ezerian had him under watch, but we wanted him safe in case the demons decided to stage a purge on vampires. Now, Lazenti was staying somewhere secret, and Seton had decided that I shouldn’t know exactly where, in case that my brother and father might somehow find out.

  We were all there, Lazenti, Dante, Penn, Sophia, Carson, and Orik.

  “What do you need me to do?” I already knew the answer, but I needed to hear it aloud.

  “We need you to agree to work with your father and brother. You’ll feed them vague information, if they ask for it, but you’ll bring back to us whatever you hear. If you tell them no, you’re making yourself an enemy and we have no idea what they’ll do.” Seton let out a sigh. “I hate to ask you to do this.”

  I nodded. “I don’t want to, but I understand why. We have to find out what they intend, and I don’t trust talking to the cops.” The cops had very little love for the vampires, in general, and wouldn’t respond even if there was some plot to eliminate them.

  “Why are they targeting the vampires, though?” I asked. “Why start with them?”

  “If they are, I think I might know why,” Lazenti said. “Vampires are still on the outside of society. We’re treated like shit by a lot of groups, and the majority of people are uncomfortable around us. Few people are going to complain if we start vanishing, and some would outright cheer. We’re the easiest to infiltrate because, if we’re dead, we vanish without evidence. And that gives the demons time to establish a hold here.”

  “That makes sense,” I said. “I wish I could ask where you’re staying, but I understand why I can’t.” I paused. “So, talking to the cops is definitely off the table?”

  “We can’t involve them. There are several influential members of the Seattle PD who don’t like vampires and they might just reach out to help the Arosiens.” Devon frowned. “For example, the chief of detectives is a wolf shifter, and he has a brother in law who’s one of the city councilmen. Both of them are conservative anti-vamp hardliners. I wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t aligned with Ezerian already.”

  This was the first time that I heard suspicions about police and city government members being willing to work against the vampires. But then, the vamps were just coming out of the shadows. Everybody knew they existed, but a lot of people liked it better when they were the stuff of nightmares instead of being actual members of society.

  Whispers of they aren’t real people because they passed through the Veil…and you can’t trust a vampire—they’re all monsters…still fell easily from a lot of people’s tongues. For a number of humans, it was that way with all Supes, but for some, the cutoff line seemed to be the living/undead line.

  “So they’d sell their souls just to spite a group they dislike.” I shook my head.

  “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Lazenti said. “I’ll be real here, some vampires are dangerously off-balance. There’s a reason why we’re feared.”

  “True that, but so are some people. Look at Bundy, Ridgeway, the BTK…they made some of the vampires and demons look downright cozy,” Sophia said. “So, we play nice-nice with Kyann’s father in order to siphon information out of him? And, who do we tell this info to?”

  Seton paused for a moment, then said, “You tell me and I pass it on. I can’t tell you who I’m in contact with. You’ll have to trust me. If you can’t, then say so now. Because it’s just not time to reveal all my secrets.”

  Seton was ancient—half demon and half Fae, raised by Elves. He was as ancient as he looked young. And I trusted him with my life.

  “All right,” I said. “I’ll do ti. I’ll call my brother and tell him that I’m in. I just hope I’m able to fool them.”

  And so, I called Vaurice and told him I’d be willing to help out, as long as it didn’t interfere with my firm. But in return, I extracted a promise that all of my employees and their families were to be safe from anything he and my father did—no matter what happened.

  I took a quick shower but didn’t wash my hair. It took too long to dry and I didn’t have the time to style it. I slipped into a pair of black jeans, a cobalt tank top, and then put on fresh eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss. After that, I dashed in the kitchen, where Penn had made me a double caramel latte. I could handle a lot of caffeine, especially thanks to my demonic side, and it cleared my head. Then, I made sure the cats were locked in my bedroom. I had no reason to suspect Vaurice of seeking to hurt me, but I didn’t want him to exploit any vulnerability. And if he and my father found out I was lying to them, I had the feeling it would no-holds barred war.

  Penn handed me the mug, and stood back, leaning against the counter. She was wearing a black cherry swing dress with a red belt. With heavy winged eyeliner, and bright burgundy lips, and oversized cat eye glasses, she rocked the perfect goth retro rockabilly style, and it fit her personality. Auburn hair, curled in a Victory curl style up top, and a ponytail caught back in a bow that matched her dress, finished the look.

  “That is an adorable outfit,” I said. “I couldn’t pull it off, but it’s cute.”

  “I couldn’t pull off leather pants and a tank top, either,” she said, laughing.

  The doorbell rang. We glanced at each other, then silently headed for the living room.

  As I answered, Penn settled in one of the wing chairs. Though I didn’t want her around him, she refused to leave me alone with him, and I loved her for it.

  Vaurice filled the room with his energy. It was almost impossible to look away from him. For one thing, he was gorgeous, muscled without being bulky, with hair down past his shoulders in shades of lavender and lilac. He had my coloring, and his eyes were the same color as mine—shimmering silver, but they were cold behind the glittering stare. My hair matched the color of my eyes—streaks of silver, gray, and black—but we resembled each other. We were both near the same height—five-eleven—and the more I saw of him, the more I could see a resemblance, even though we were only half-siblings. But Vaurice was full-demon, and I was only half.

  He glanced around. This was the first time he’d been in my house. As he casually pushed a long strand of hair away from his face, I motioned to the sofa.

  “Why don’t you sit down?” I waited until he took a seat, then sat on the opposite side of the coffee table, on the ottoman. “You know Penelope, right?”

  He gave Penn a nod, staring at her for a few seconds too long. “I do now,” he said holding out his hand. I didn’t like the energy behind his words.

  Penn hesitated a moment, then offered her hand. He took her fingers, then—as if she had shocked him—he abruptly let go and sat back. Penn flashed me a little grin while he examined his hand. I wasn’t sure what she had done, but whatever it was, she left an impression. I swore I could hear Hecate’s voice, laughing.

  “What do you need?” I asked.

  “No would you like some coffee or a drink? No, how are you, my brother?” Vaurice asked. “I’m surprised by your lack of social niceties.” His voice was too smooth, too polite.

  “Don’t get on your high horse with me,” I said. “Since we’re siblings, I might as well treat you like I’d treat any brother.” I smiled through my teeth, trying to pass off my churlishness as a joke.

  “I see,” he said, returning the smile. “So, our father has a request. He requires your attendance at dinner on Wednesday evening. We have several matters to discuss and it’s important you be there.” It wasn’t an invitation, but a demand.

  “What time?” I pulled out my phone.

  “Nine PM, at Amané’s?”

  I glanced up, surprised. “That’s a pretty upscale restaurant.”

  “You think our father would eat at some dive in the Underground? He prefers to dine at the best eateries. Wear something appropriate,” he added, looking me up and down. It was an uncomfortable look, like I was being assessed and found wanting. After a moment he added, “You look different. Something has changed about you.”

  It had to be the work I’d done with Devon, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. “Maybe I’m just too tired to be gracious tonight.” I was hoping he’d leave now that he had delivered his message, but instead, he leaned back against the sofa and clasped his hands behind his head.

  “You know, when Father told me I had a sister, I couldn’t imagine what you’d be like. I thought I’d be disappointed, but I’m not.” He stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles.

  Penn stood. “Kyann’s never disappointed her family—those of us who consider her family, at least. Don’t ever insinuate she has, not around me, and not around the rest of us who claim her.” Her voice bordered on an echo, sounding suspiciously like Hecate’s voice and I realized the goddess was riding Penn’s shoulder. Hecate apparently didn’t like my demon brother.

  Vaurice eyed her with a cold look, but once again, he pulled back. The hesitation was subtle, but definitely there. He backtracked. “I didn’t mean to insinuate anything. In fact, I admire the way you stand up for her.” He may have actually meant it, but it came out slightly priggish.

  Penn bristled. “I’m not the person in question right now.” She turned to me. “I’ll be in my office, if you need me.”

  “Thanks,” I said, worried that she might be pushing things too far. But she just nodded, turned, and strode away. When her office door slammed behind her, I turned back to Vaurice. “I have loyal friends.”

  “I’ll say.” He let out a low laugh. “I have to admit, I’d prefer to have her on my side than against me. Don’t think I didn’t feel Hecate behind her. And before you ask, yes, I know that energy, all too well. I’ve encountered the goddess of the crossroads before, when I was young and thought I ruled the world. She schooled me.”

  That was interesting. “Dare I ask what you did?”

  “You don’t want to know,” he said, give me a fractured smile. “Trust me. But I learned not to mess with the gods. Or their priestesses. On the other hand, if one of her priestesses was to fancy taking a flyer with me…”

  “Penn isn’t going to fancy anything with a demon. Trust me, she’s barely interested in anything remotely resembling a relationship. She’s not about to complicate her life.” I must have sounded sharper than I thought, because he let out a laugh.

  “Jealous?” He arched his brow.

  I froze, then slowly turned to him. “Jealous? You’re my half-brother. Why would I be jealous of you?”

  “Well,” he said, “among our people, it’s not uncommon to cement the dynasties by marrying one of your cousins. You and I aren’t full blood related.”

  My stomach churned. What the hell? “I suggest you stop right there. For one thing, I’m no brood mare. For another…just…no. I’m open minded, but…no.” A sudden thought hit me. I spit out, “That’s not what Ezerian wants to talk to me about, is it?”

  Vaurice snorted. “I doubt it. Relax. He wouldn’t choose you for my mate, anyway. You’re not full-blood. I just wanted to see your reaction.” There was a glint in his eye that I didn’t trust.

  I chose to sidestep it, though, to keep the peace until I could find out what was happening. Truth was, I believed him about our father wanting him to marry a full-blooded demon. And that was just fine with me.

  “You have a strange sense of humor,” I said. “All right, I’ll meet you at Amané’s.”

  “I take it that’s my cue to exit. All right. Nine PM. Don’t be late.” And without another word, he let himself out.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Next morning, I headed in to work. Penn stayed home, because she had orders to fill from her online store. I had told her about what Vaurice said about family marriage.

  “I’ll cut off his dick if he tries,” she said.

  “Doesn’t he scare you? He’s full demon, after all.” I admired the way she seemed to face down danger and spit in its eye. And yet, the woman was terrified of getting locked into a relationship.

  “He’s nervous around Hecate’s chosen. I plan to remember that,” she said, grinning. “Go, have a good day, and I’ll see you tonight.”

  I grabbed my travel mug, which held a quad-shot iced latte, and headed out the door. On my way to work, I noticed I was driving differently. I felt more confident. As I approached work, a text came through. It was from Penn.

  i’m telling you, i’m not interested. that asshole is just trying to mess with my head.

  what do you mean? who’s trying to mess with you? I asked, using the voice control.

  i mean, i’m not interested in your brother. he just texted me. this time he asked me out on a date. i don’t mind taking messages from him, but i refuse to go out with him. he’s trouble.

  Fuck. Vaurice was pushing his luck. I could handle it if he kept his efforts focused on me, but he was trying to rattle us. He clearly hadn’t learned his lesson from Hecate if he was willing to bother Penn like this. Or maybe he just liked living dangerously.

  okay, i’ll have a talk with him. just ignore his text. i’m so sorry about this.

  it’s not your fault, and i get why we have to play nice, but damn it, if seton wants me to go out with vaurice, he’s going to be in for a shock. talk to you later.

  I pulled into the lot, parked, and sat there, staring at the steering wheel. Why did I have the feeling we were in for a whole lot of frustration before things got better?

  As I entered the office, Sophia was arguing with Dante. “I asked you last week for those reports, and you still haven’t given them to me. If you expect me to fill out payroll for the end of the month, you need to get them to me.”

  Dante sighed. “I did. I left them on your desk yesterday.”

  “They weren’t there when I got to work this morning,” Sophia said. She was usually a patient person, but Dante could be a pain in the ass sometimes. But he was our pain in the ass.