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.”
