Page 65 of Sun-Kissed Fangs
This might be another case of dumb stubbornness. She was looking for negatives before and had just been presented with an ideal one. The revelation that Maya was a violent liar who had gained Harper’s trust only as a means to an end.
But she couldn’t believe it. Not after the kiss the night before. The laughs and the smiles they’d shared. That first conversation by Harper’s car, when Maya hadn’t even known who she was.
All of that felt so real that Harper’s heart ached.
Evie’s brows furrowed. Then she leaned back, mouth falling open.
“Youlikeher. Don’t you?”
Harper scowled at the snow. “Funny. Nell said the exact same thing.”
Evie stared at her, shocked. Fear took over her gaze as she grabbed Harper’s hand.
“Please stay away from her. It’s not fair to ask, I know that, but I only just got you back. I can’t lose you again. I just can’t.”
The pain in her voice was so raw, pouring fuel on the doubt burning into Harper’s mind. But despite its persistence, it couldn’t find purchase.
Was that stupid? Possibly. It was at least impractical that she couldn’t set aside these feelings and give Evie the reassurance she wanted. All she could offer was honesty.
“I don’t think I can,” Harper whispered.
“Why not? You barely know her.”
“It feels like I do.”
“But youdon’t. You were just a job to her, one she shouldn’t even have been doing. She was only allowed to handle it on her own because of chance. She’s avampire, Harper. They’re dangerous.”
Harper couldn’t argue with that. Even without the context of Evie’s stories, she could have assumed as much.
She’d also be lying if she said that wasn’t part of what made Maya so intriguing. That strange, dangerous quality that Harper hadn’t been able to place before. Something that should have made her run away but which always made her do the opposite.
Harper’s silence said more than any words could have done. Evie’s eyes glinted, and she took a deep, trembling breath.
“If you really can’t stay away… If youhaveto talk to her, then… please be careful.”
Harper almost said she wasn’t good at being careful, but the fear in Evie’s eyes didn’t allow for that kind of quip.
“I will be. Promise.”
Evie smiled, and it looked like a mask. Forced on and tense, with her lip trembling and her eyes shiny with tears.
It wasn’t just Harper, Nell, and Patricia who had lost someone these past few years. Evie had, too. She had feared she would never see them again, and in her eyes, that risk was still present.
“But before I deal with that, I need your help for something.” Harper stood and extended a hand towards Evie. “I’m new here, so I’ll need a tour. Both around town and around the Court that’s just offered me employment.”
Evie’s smile relaxed. She wiped at her eyes, before taking Harper’s hand and getting to her feet.
Things might still be messy. But they were safe. Safe together. If the only thing keeping Harper from resting in it was a lack of answers, she could do herself the favor of seeking them out. If they matched the rumors, then she could walk away, like Evie encouraged her to do. If they didn’t, then…
Then that would make everything a lot more complicated.
Chapter 17
Working at the Court of Chains bar was never pleasant, but that night was especially dreadful. Court was closed, meaning only its members were around, and Maya’s section was dead as a result.
Mostly. She hadonepatron. A patron who was trying to be nice, which wasn’t exactly in her wheelhouse.
“Natalya won’t stop singing your praises.” Angela turned her vodka-soda between her fingers. Her drink of choice and she had yet to take a single sip of it. “It’s rare that she uses the word ‘impressive’ about someone. And I’ve heard her use it twice.”
