She was clearly dressed for work. The stylish light blue skirt suit really suited her. Her blond hair was up in a neat bun. Eighteen months apart and nearly identical looking, I was forever annoyed by how good she made the Ravenson long lanky frame look.
“It’s uncle time, Septimus.”
She plopped Daisy on the rug in front of the TV and started off loading all of her bags.
“Snacks, toys, changes of clothes. Everything you will need,” she informed me.
“Why am I babysitting?”
Ezme glared at me. “Don’t act like you don’t love it.”
She opened her mouth to say something else but then her nose wrinkled.
“Why does it stink of demon in here, Seb?”
Despite my best intentions, I felt myself blush ferociously. Ezme’s eyes widened and she shook her head disapprovingly.
“If mom and dad ever find out you let demons fuck you, I’m not going to be there for the fallout.”
I made a strangled noise deep in my throat. “First, don’t swear in front of Daisy. Second, thanks for being such a loyal sis and third, for the last time, I’m not a bottom.”
Ezme merely shrugged as she headed for the front door. “It’s not like I tell mom and dad, is it? I’ll be back at six.”
The door slammed shut behind her.
“I don’t make a habit of it!” I yelled, but it was too late. She was already gone.
Sighing, I turned to Daisy with a smile. She was calmly pulling her coloring things out of one of the bags.
“I’m just going to get dressed, okay?”
She nodded happily at me. Very content with what she was doing. I wondered if she had some more of those sparkly pens, they had been great fun last time I babysat her. I dashed off to my bedroom, threw on a tee shirt and some sweatpants and was back in no time at all.
I joined her on the rug. Daisy smiled at me and handed me a coloring book. Grinning, I sprawled out on the rug and got to work.
After a while of contented coloring, Daisy pulled out a bracelet making set.
“Cool!” I exclaimed as I helped her open it.
She giggled at me.
“Wait, this says for three and older. You aren’t three yet, are you?”
Daisy shook her head, her blond pigtails swinging everywhere. “I’m two!” she stated excitedly.
I shook my head. “Your mom is so careless. Guess I’m just gonna have to make sure you don’t eat any beads.”
She beamed up at me with her far too cute blue eyes. I smiled indulgently at her and got to work. She tried her best to thread the beads onto the brightly colored string but it was too fiddly for her little fingers. I took over and made her a bracelet that said Daisy on it. She squealed in delight as I tied it around her wrist. Then she went back to coloring.
Humming to myself contentedly, I started making another bracelet. I loved babysitting Daisy. She was my niece and I adored her. I also got to let out my inner child, which was totally awesome. Being an adult sucked. Being an upstanding member of the infamous Ravenson family really sucked. I was only twenty-four but had needed to act far older for years. Responsibility was awful.
I stared at the bracelet I had made. The brightly colored beads spelled out ‘Jinx’. It seemed to stare back at me accusingly. I sighed and shoved it into my pocket. Demons couldn’t do love spells, or I would be worried. I told myself I’d get over him. It had just been fantastic sex, that was all. It was all it could ever be. Even if he had stuck around for breakfast.
I was Septimus Ravenson, eldest son of the Ravenson’s. A highly respected family renowned for demon banishings. I was a powerful mage, I really shouldn’t be cavorting with demons. As lovely and as harmless as incubi were. Especially Jinx.
Ezme was right, my family would probably disown me. Just for talking to Jinx, never mind anything else. Sighing again, I told myself to forget all about him.
Chapter three
