Page 24 of Silverproof Damsel

Now that he’d allowed it to perceive his emotions and react to them. At the House of Witches, he’d fought for control to protect me from it, but he’d struggled to regain that control back.

Talia perceived it in the room, thus explaining her unexpected and unannounced arrival in the chamber. She’d intervened to prevent any harm from occurring beneath her roof. She was smart enough to know it would end in bloodshed.

Talia’s intervention on my behalf was welcome, but also unexpected. Rumors suggested that Talia safeguarded those under her protection by being savagely unpredictable.

There were stories around town about her bloodline and their antics. All were spoken in whispered silence to prevent Talia from catching them gossiping about her line. Not that I blamed them. Since I’d heard she’d once removed the lips of a gossipmonger who’d slurred her daughter’s name.

Morgana was her mother’s pride and joy, if a bit more audacious than most. The girl was carefree and lived life to the fullest. I envied her mindset for being that bold.

Raven, Talia’s niece, was someone I admired and respected. She’d been unafraid of helping us with wards and runes. Of course, she was skirting danger with the incubus twins, Ezekiel and Enzo. The twins were notorious for being savagely ruthless. They owned a gentlemen’s club. One I’d soon be competing against.

Raven had expressed her worry about doing so multiple times. A fear of them harming me or looking to destroy the club before it could ever become fully functional. I’d laughed it off and told her I’d weather whatever storm as we did every obstacle in our path. Falling face first right into it, because we were graceful like that, after all.

Now Raven, on the other hand, was the one who should be worried about the twins. They had a heavy dislike of witches, older than Rhys and my mother’s feud. Raven had inadvertently walked into their club, kicking up a hornet’s nest.

It left them focused on her, leaving Nyx free to teach the dancers how to buy favors with the male clients. That was, if she could stay away from Acyn long enough to manage the job I’d tasked her with.

Nyx was free to do as she chose with Acyn. I’d given her my blessing to be with him. However, she spent more time inside the Van Helsing mansion than she did anywhere else. If I weren’t certain, I’d assume they were mates. Ones who were too stubborn for the truth, which were currently staring rightat them. Of course, they’d have to stop fucking long enough to realize it as well.

I knew Nyx would find me when ready. I wouldn’t worry about her love life. Not when my own was a colossal mess. Technically, it was nonexistent, but who was pointing out the minor details? Well, besides me.

Submerging beneath the floral scented surface, I listened to the resonating sounds of the chateau. The moment my lungs burned, I pushed my nose and mouth up through the surface. With the scent of lemongrass and sage filling my nostrils, I sucked in the air before falling beneath the water again, staring up at the pentagram painted on the ceiling above the tub.

Knocking sounded on the chamber door, causing my eyes to slide toward the connecting door. The skin between my brows creased together as I counted along with the footsteps Winchester made as she crossed the room.

“Remi?” her soft, honeyed tone called from the other side of the door.

“Drowning myself in the tub.” The melancholy in my tone irked me more than my choices.

She leaned her head against the door before pulling it back, speaking in a sterner tone. “Well, when you’re done with self-pity, breakfast is being served in the sunroom this morning. I thought you’d like it, as you always preferred the porch to the dimly lit, dour front room of the cabin.”

Knowing she wouldn’t leave until I replied, I did so in a sour tone. “I’m not hungry right now.” Who’d be hungry knowing they had to slink back to their ex with their tail tucked between their legs? Groaning as the door opened, I gasped as Winchester strode in.

“You’re eating for two, Remi,” she argued as she perched on the toilet, frowning.

Spluttering, I crossed my arms over my chest before glancing down to ensure the bubbles covered everything else. With a curious look at Winchester, I opened and closed my mouth, unsure what to say about her intrusion.

Observing the assuredly horrified look on my face, she waved it away. “I know you’re not a child anymore. Obviously,” she said before rolling her eyes. “It would be a very different conversation if you were. Now, wouldn’t it?”

“I guess?” This was going into my vault of shit I’d never speak about again.

“You seem more downtrodden today, Remington. Rejoining your family shouldn’t lead to depression. A Silversmith doesn’t get depressed. Not that I’ve ever been aware of, anyway. They face shit head-on without fearing the unknown.”

“Not everyone is as stone cold as you are, Winchester. I’m still mortal. Remember? Plus, I’m pregnant,” I uttered, needing to know if she comprehended the gravity of it all.

“You’re carrying the fucking antichrist of the immortal world. We’re allveryaware of the magnitude of what we’ve agreed to protect.” Blinking slowly at me, her eyes widened. “Is that what’s bothering you?”

“Yes.” The skin between her eyes pinched as her eyes narrowed on me. “Who warded the house?”

“What happened?” Winchester was astute at times. I’d never been able to bullshit her.

“You mentioned that you had a witch who’d cast spells on the house for protection. You had overseen the runes, wards, and spells being cast yourself, right? Yet, I wasn’t safe last night. Rhys Van Helsing was inside my bedroom.”

Winchester stilled, her eyes thinning on me. “You didn’t let him into our house, did you?” The hesitancy in her tone caused a heaviness in my chest to form. “Of course, you didn’t,” she whispered with a heavy exhale, following the words.

“I wouldn’t place you or the others in danger,” I assured, grimacing as she stood with the cold persona she wore when handling family business. “I promise, Winnie. I can leave if you want me to.”

“I don’t want you to leave.” The tone she spoke in was sharper and held an edge of anger. “However, the witch who reinforced the spells on our house knows better than to cross me. She’ll be dealt with before the sun sets tonight.”

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