“Do you know how he died?” Ezerian asked.
Give he already knew who killed my mother, I figured he probably had some idea who dispatched Jace. “My best friend and I made sure that he I knew who I was avenging.”
“Penelope killed him, didn’t she?” Vaurice asked. “The first thing I noticed about her was the willingness to do whatever her goddess asked. And she’s loyal to the core.” He paused, then added, “You know, if she gave me a chance?—”
“Back off,” I said. I turned to Ezerian. “Tell him to leave her alone. Penelope isn’t interested, and I don’t want him messing?—”
“She’s an adult—” Vaurice interrupted.
“And she’s not interested.” I stared him down. “She’s part Fae, by the way, which means she’s far more stubborn than you could ever imagine. When she decides something, that’s it.”
Vaurice glanced at Ezerian. “How does it feel having more than one child?”
Ezerian sighed. “Enough. I’m not getting involved. Kyann, your brother is who he is. Vaurice, quit making waves. You can debate this when I’m not around. I want to know more about why you chose to become an investigator.”
I took a sip of my wine. “Because of Erin, my mother. I was determined that if I could help others who were in trouble, in a way I’d be helping my mother. I went through hell when I was way too young. And then Dante threw me a lifeline. Without him, I’d either be dead or locked up. I was determined to give back in whatever way I could.”
Ezerian held my gaze. It was eerie, looking into eyes that mirrored my own, into the face of someone who was so feared, and yet—he was my father. His blood flowed through my veins.
The waitress appeared with our appetizers—my mussels, Vaurice’s escargot, and my father’s caviar and toast points. We ate in silence for a few moments, then I took a deep breath and sat back.
“You said you want me to help you. What did you mean?” I asked.
“I want you to join the family business. I realize you have your own, and that you love it, but when I’m over here, I’d like you to be in on meetings. Vaurice will be moving here, to watch over the day-to-day aspects.” Ezerian glanced at my brother. “I expect you to keep your nose out of trouble, though. We can’t have things go south because of your lust. Watch who you target.”
The word target made me nervous. “What do you mean?”
“He means that I need to pick my paramours carefully, and keep from causing a stir,” Vaurice said. “I’ve already promised to keep a rein on myself.”
“Promises are all well and good, but I know you,” Ezerian said. “If we want to lay the groundwork for future plans, we need to present a trustworthy front.”
My ears perked up. Future plans? What future plans?
“It might be difficult for you to understand, given you’re full Arosien, but my nature is hard to ignore. I promised, however, and you know my loyalty belongs only to you,” Vaurice said. He looked irritated and I had the feeling this conversation had been repeated a number of times.
“So you’ve said. I’m watching,” Ezerian said.
I cleared my throat. “So, you’re planning on moving here? Where do you plan on living?”
Vaurice shrugged. “I found a house in Redmond. I’ll be moving in next week.”
I stared at him for a moment. “Does the landlord realize he’s renting to a demon?”
He snorted. “My landlord has no problem with me, because I’m my landlord.”
As it dawned on me that he had bought a house, my stomach lurched. Owning a house meant they had long-term plans for the city and who the hell knew what that meant?
“You bought the house?”
“We don’t mess around,” Ezerian said. “We need to have a network of our people set up over the next year for plans to go right and Vaurice is our first contact. I suppose, technically, you’re our first, since you’ve lived her all your life.”
“What exactly are our plans?” I asked, deciding to go for broke.
Ezerian paused, then said, “I know you’ve heard of Brim Fire?—”
I stiffened. “You’re affiliated with them?”
“Don’t be so quick. Learn to listen more than you speak.” He gave me a shake of the finger. “No, we are not affiliated with those idiots. But they’re this close,” he squeezed his index finger and thumb close together, “to opening the door to the Elder Gallara.”
