Page 12 of Vicious Little Vows
I choked on a noodle, prompting Gabriel to lean over and pat my back until the oily nodule flung free and back onto the plate Dawn had insisted I use.
“Oh come now, Eva,” Dawn waved at me dismissively. “We’re all adults here.”
“Adults still have privacy,” I grumbled, my cheeks hot.
Dawn rolled her eyes. “It’s not as if it’s any secret. Whatrumorsdid you think I was talking about?”
I blanched. “You mean the rumors are about my sex life?”
She gave me another dismissive wave. “No, Eva. They are about the ruler of the Bogs taking a human paramour. Only I never see you with him. These two, however…” Her eyes slid toward the guys, startling Ringo, who had finally crept up onto the table, drawn by the smell of food. He immediately scampered back down, disappearing into Crispin’s lap.
“Who did you hear that from?” I demanded, thinking of our watchers. While yeah, the goblins in Evenlee had seen Mistral and I together, they lived deep in the Bogs. I doubted they ventured out into the city much.
Dawn quirked a brow. “The gargoyles at Lapis Brews do enjoy good gossip.”
My frown deepened, because said gargoyles had seen me with both Crispin and Gabriel not long ago. Braxton had been there too, but I wasn’t sure he was part of any rumors yet. He was still staying with his pack until things died down.
Crispin swirled his martini, his expression thoughtful. “Did they say anything about me?”
Dawn lowered her eyelids until she was looking at him from beneath a swath of black lashes, a coy smile playing across her red lips. “You mean the handsome blond elf who Mistral has allowed into his lands? That is, perhaps, the most interesting rumor of all. What are you all up to?”
“Just trying to stay out of trouble,” I sighed, more troubled than ever. Apparently we were being watched a lot more than I thought, and I wondered if Elizabeta’s vampires were responsible for any of the rumors. They couldn’t have been the ones watching us in the Bogs, but they could have seen Crispin and I passing through the gates.
I expected Dawn to push me for more, but her attention had turned to Crispin. “You are close to the royal court. What do you know about Rian?”
Oh thank the gods, we were back to talking about her date.
Crispin blinked at her a few times, catching up to the abrupt change in subject. “Not much, I’m afraid. He came to this land long before I did—” He cut himself off. Plenty of people knew that he came to this realm long after the pathways were severed, but with the threats from the vampires, it probably wasn’t a wise thing to speak about.
Dawn didn’t seem to notice though. She forged on, “Surely you must knowsomething. Does he date often?”
“I don’t—um,” Crispin looked to me pleadingly.
“You’re going to do fine tomorrow,” I soothed, patting Dawn’s hand. “And if he doesn’t like you, then it’s his loss.”
Dawn gave me a smile that started out genuine, but soon turned wicked. “You just gave me the most splendid idea. The two of you should join us on our date tomorrow.” She looked between me and Crispin, ignoring Gabriel. “Surely having another elf along will make things a little more comfortable for Rian.”
“O-oh,” Crispin stammered. I almost enjoyed seeing him so caught off guard for once, then he replied, “Sure, I suppose we can do that.”
I gave him awhat the hells are you doinglook across the table, but Dawn had already latched on. “Wonderful! I’ll text the information to Eva.” She looked Crispin up and down, his button up and trousers still in pretty good shape since he had taken them off before his dive into the pool. “And do help Eva pick something nice to wear.” Her eyes darted to me. “But not purple.I’mwearing purple.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but paused at the familiar feeling of dark magic behind me.
Dawn’s jaw fell open. “Does he often just pop into people’s apartments like this? This is supposed to be a high security building!”
I pinched my brow. “There’s no security against devils, I’m afraid.” I glared over my shoulder at Sebastian, though he just stood there, looking irritated.
The first few buttons of his white shirt were undone, and his black hair was a little more mussed than usual. “It’s late. You were supposed to return to the apartment as soon as you left the Bogs.”
“The apartment?” Dawn asked before I could say anything. “Eva, are you living with him?”
I turned my glare on her and her bemused expression.
“Never mind.” She waved me off. “We can talk about it on our double date tomorrow.” She stood and started clearing away themartini glasses. “Your devil is right, it’s late. I need my beauty rest.”
“But about tomorrow—” I stood and followed her toward the kitchen.
“Go tend to your men, Eva. I’ll clean up.” She winked, then escaped into the kitchen, leaving me staring after her.
