“I never said I minded,” they responded in the same calm tone, a spark in their eyes. Comfort rushed through me at the acceptance. I was so used to apologizing for every misstep, everything that didn’t live up to the Durand name, that finding someone who didn’t mind gave me such relief. “As to being a lawyer, I’m certain no one enters the field unwittingly. I like detail work, and I like puzzles, and this career allows me to indulge in both.”
“I’ve never heard of being a lawyer described like that,” I responded, curiosity sweeping in. A livelihood like that existed so far out of my skill set, though most careers in the business sector had been. My parents had tried and tried and tried until they finally sold me off in exchange for shares in orichalcum, I presumed. The truth settled sour in my gut, ruining my appetite.
“And what do you do, Elrich?” The rich, low way they said my name sent a shiver through me.
I licked my lips, trying to focus on their question rather than how my body perked up. “Nothing of use.” Shame, an old familiar friend, filtered over me.
“I’m not asking for your job or title,” they responded. “In your free time, what do you like to do?”
They slowed down in front of Haven Diner, the neon sign in view. My heart sped up a little. I’d never been to this part of the city before. While monsters and humans coexisted in Peregrine City, both tended to dwell in different sectors. Haven Diner had a reputation for being a sanctuary, particularly for monsters of all walks.
Though, Ursuline was a cecaelia, so of course they wouldn’t think twice about going here.
“Art,” I burst out, realizing I’d never answered. “Uh, painting, drawing, murals, that sort of thing.”
“The world needs more artists,” Ursuline said, passing me a wan smile. The curve of their generous lips, how their dark eyes soaked in every detail—I couldn’t stop watching them. And those words—my heart bloomed over them. I’d grown so used to the usual condemnation of the arts the Durand family delivered.
“I’m glad you think so,” was all I managed to say, my mind whirling. My fingers itched to sketch out a few lines. Maybe I could ask for a pen or pencil and get the impulse out on a napkin.
“Come on,” Ursuline said, cracking the car door open. “Haven’s got the best food in town.”
My legs trembled as I rose, the weight of these changes crashing over me. Heading into a new life, away from everything I knew. Marrying someone I’d just met. Everything about this situation made my stomach churn, but when I glanced up, Ursuline’s steady gaze remained on me. They stared, a quiet solidity to them that I couldn’t help but be drawn to.
I swallowed hard and followed them up the walkway to Haven.
A burnt sugar scent filtered through my nose as we approached the door. Probably magical. I’d heard this place was spelled for safety, run by a witch? Witches? The slightest bit of excitement pumped through my veins. All my life, I’d beencraving something different from the society I’d been born into—rigid, confining, restricted.
I stepped into Haven, and my senses launched into overload. The place smelled like cinnamon and other spices, sharp and alluring, and the colors sparked my inspiration. Black and white checkerboard tiles on the flooring, purple and green vinyl on the booth seating. Purple velvet curtains that I itched to paint. And that was only the décor—the patrons were just as varied, just as fascinating.
A massive horned minotaur sat with a dainty human, deep in conversation, while three satyrs took up another booth, their cloven hooves nudging against each other beneath the table. A vampire applied her makeup from a compact in another booth, in professional business attire. A group of humanish people sat around a table, but the bright colors, the tattoos, the flash of their accessories drew me in. Somehow, I had the feeling they weren’t all humans, despite their appearance, but even if they were, their presentation was far more fascinating than I was used to.
Unexpected comfort filtered through me, despite this place being new, being different.
A woman at the host stand strode up to us, her hips swinging like a pendulum. She was tall and gorgeous with dark wavy hair and a sanguine smile.
“Sofia,” Ursuline said, their voice a seductive purr. Was this a partner of theirs? They were both so impossibly attractive.
“And who’s this you’ve brought?” Sofia asked, a wicked sparkle in her gaze as it turned on me.
I stood a little straighter under her perusal, even though it didn’t seem flirtatious—more curious.
“Elrich,” Ursuline said. “Another addition to the Triton family collection.”
Sofia’s lip curled into a sneer. “Frederick hasn’t stopped his acquisitions?”
Ursuline’s jaw tensed, making it razor sharp. “Why would he do that?”
Sofia gave a knowing nod and swept an arm out before she directed us over to one of the nearest open booths. Maybe they weren’t partners, but they were definitely familiar with each other. Curiosity burned through me—both at their intimacy and their comments. Even though Ursuline worked for Triton, they didn’t seem to have a strong care for their employer. And the reach of their job seemed a bit…more than that of a regular lawyer.
“Here are the menus,” Sofia said, her intense gaze landing on me. “You look like you could use something sweet.”
“Don’t you have a wife to attend to, Sofia?” Ursuline arched their brow.
Sofia’s canines flashed with her grin, her gaze wicked. “Doesn’t mean I can’t tell the truth. Just look at him.”
Heat flushed through me, my cheeks burning. Both of their gazes landed on me, and I squirmed in my seat. The perusal did something surprising to my insides, waking up my libido. I hated when my folks talked about me like I wasn’t in the room, but this wasn’t registering negatively. No, this felt…positive in the way it pinged my senses, in how they stared at me like I was the only one here.
Far from invisible.
