Chapter 5 #2
She snorted. “Yeah, right. You obviously know more about men than I have ever given you credit for.” She lifted her manicured hands toward the open closet, even though most of the clothing was now strewn around the room. “Now tell me, what do I do?”
The growling of my stomach prompted me to stand. The faster I helped her, the faster I could eat. “Okay, first things first. Where is the date to occur?” I started sorting through the clothing on her bed, observing each of the garments.
“A wine bar downtown, but daytime. Casual and low pressure, but not quite as casual and low pressure as a coffee date.”
I lifted a brow at her. “I thought the invite was something about having tea?”
She lifted her nose. “I made a counter offer, of course.”
I laughed. It was good to see that having a crush hadn’t changed her entirely. “Okay so more casual and chic versus dressy.”
Her eyes drifted toward my jeans, which were at least dry now.
“Yes,” I said in response to her skeptical expression.
“I am also wondering why you asked me of all people for fashion advice.” I picked up a flowy purple jumpsuit.
It would have looked terrible on me, but with the long and strong lines of Dawn’s body, I knew it would look just right…
just like the rest of her wardrobe. She really had no issues getting dressed. “What about this?”
“A jumpsuit? For a first date?”
“It’s fun and flirty, but still elegant.”
She stood, towering over me as she took the jumpsuit from my hands. “Fun and flirty, but elegant. I like it. I know why I asked you, Eva. Despite our bickering, you do have my best interests at heart. There are few people I can say that about.”
While my list of people I could say that about was slowly growing, I also had a growing list of enemies, so I appreciated the sentiment. “Right back at you, I think.”
She straightened. “Of course I have your best interests at heart. It’s just that sometimes I know what those interests are better than you do.
” Her eyes drifted once again toward the doorway.
“Though lately, you have impressed me.” She tossed the pantsuit onto the bed like she hadn’t just been fretting and tearing her closet apart. “You’ll stay for a drink?”
I followed her toward the doorway. “Actually—”
But she had already gone out, and she was halfway to the liquor cabinet before I caught up with her. “I’ll tell you the rumors I’ve been collecting for you while we relax for a moment.” She sniffed the air. “What is that greasy smell?”
“Our dinner,” I grumbled, glancing at the guys still standing uncomfortably near the front door. I had been ready to make an excuse to leave, but her mention of rumors gave me pause. I doubted she knew more than any of us at present, but I couldn’t be entirely sure. “And just one drink.”
Gabriel’s expression darkened. I couldn’t tell if Crispin had a similar reaction since he was busy observing a painting of swirling sunflowers on the wall.
With impressive speed, Dawn whipped up a pitcher of martinis, adding olive juice to mine until it was more brine than alcohol because in my humble opinion, martinis are disgusting.
We unpacked our food, the little white takeout boxes looking out of place on Dawn’s sleek, four seater table.
Her greasy comment couldn’t dissuade me though.
I set my drink aside and dug into my greasy noodles with a pair of wooden chopsticks.
As I chewed, I watched Dawn, waiting for her to spill on the rumors, but she merely observed me as she sipped her drink.
The four chairs at her table were a little larger than average, suiting both her and Gabriel just right.
Crispin managed well enough, while I felt like a child at the adults’ table.
“So,” Dawn crossed her impressive legs, leaning back in her chair as she set aside her drink, “how does this work? Are you all sleeping together?”
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. What rumors did 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 know something. 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 a what the hells are you doing look 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’m wearing 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 the martini 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.
Gabriel touched my shoulder. I hadn’t heard him get up. “We should go,” he muttered. “I’ll text Gladiola to bring news of these rumors to Mistral.”
Still frowning toward the kitchen, I nodded, not really sure just how worried we needed to be about the rumors. I was more worried about the double date I had somehow been wrangled into against my will.