Dark Possession - Aja James Page 0,28

her entire face. Her hair was piled on her head in a messy, frizzy knot, held together with two pens.

“Do come in, Devlin, Grace,” Clara welcomed, taking the other woman’s hand in one of her own and physically pulling her inside the apartment.

“You’re just in time for a special treat.”

“But it’s not lunch time,” Grace remarked in a flat, emotionless tone. “Devlin and I already had breakfast.”

“Come now, darling,” Devlin said, guiding his partner farther into the room with an arm around her waist, “there’s always room for second breakfast.”

“That’s not a thing,” she said in that same no-nonsense tone.

“It is where I come from,” he returned patiently.

“Then you can eat, and I’ll watch.”

“Whatever makes you happy, sweetheart,” he murmured and pressed an affectionate kiss to her temple.

She seemed to melt into his side a little at that, but her face remained stoic and expressionless.

What a strange couple, Eveline thought.

The male appeared to be a natural flirt with his devil-may-care smile, teasing words and twinkling blue eyes. But the female was like a robot, all monotone and literal.

Eveline liked her immediately.

After another round of introductions were made, everyone sat at a long dining table while Clara handed out dishware and cutlery.

“I am pleased to finally meet you in person,” Eveline said to the visiting couple. “Video calls are not the same. And Jade speaks of both of you very highly.”

“How is my favorite Dark queen faring these days?” Devlin asked with a lopsided smile.

He might be beautiful too, and flirty to boot, but Eveline decided that he was perfectly harmless. One, because he was obviously smitten with Grace. And two, because there was no sexual heat in his flirtatiousness.

Both Eli and Devlin were supremely handsome, but neither male attracted Eveline.

Or made her blood sizzle with flames.

“She’s taken on the unofficial role of expanding our alliances with other Kinds,” Eveline answered. “Especially with Dark Ones.”

“Ah. Jade the diplomat. When she wishes it, she can charm the pants off anyone, male or female,” Devlin noted.

“Except you,” his Mate pointed out.

“Of course not, darling. Only you are allowed into my pants.”

The fervent look Grace sent his way made Eveline feel like she wanted to get into her husband’s pants right this second, witnesses bedamned.

The Hunter chuckled softly and planted a mollifying kiss on Grace’s perpetually pouty lips.

“May I ask, where’s Ava? Doesn’t she also reside in the Cove with Ryu and Kane?” Eveline posed the question at large.

“Ava and Kane are staying these few days with her parents,” Clara answered. “Though we’re all friends here…and we’d certainly like to be even more…friendly, she gets particularly homesick when Ryu is away. Besides, Kane’s grandparents can’t get enough time with their pride and joy.”

Eveline noticed that Clara looked wistful at the last comment. Subtly, her husband Eli took her hand in his and linked their fingers.

Clara’s wistful sadness turned into wistful joy as she smiled at her male, then smiled down at their daughter, Annie.

That was when Eveline remembered: Eli was Ryu’s father. But they had an awkward, complex relationship, Ava had mentioned before.

Now, Clara’s hesitation a moment ago made more sense. Instead of simply wanting to be more “friendly,” she meant that she wanted them to be more of a family.

“What brings you here, Eveline Marceau?” Grace abruptly asked Eveline with unsettling directness, her dark eyes unblinkingly spearing.

“I am the Cove’s temporary librarian,” Eveline responded lightly.

“And?” Grace persisted, her sharp gaze penetrating.

Eveline blinked, playing possum.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You must be here for a particular reason beyond simply being our temporary Keeper,” Grace elaborated. “Ramses made no secret of his dislike for Pure Ones. He wouldn’t voluntarily bring someone like you into the Cove. It would be a subtle declaration of where his allegiance lies, and he has been very careful thus far to avoid any such demonstration.”

“Well…” Eveline stalled, cutting her slice of tart to bits and pieces with her fork.

“She has his scent all over her,” Eli said quietly, though his words were no less startling.

His nostrils flared slightly.

“I can smell both their se—”

“Tender ears at the table, dear!” Clara squeaked, closing her hands around Annie’s ears.

The girl rolled her eyes, but allowed her mother to keep said tender ears covered.

“It’s not what it looks like,” Eveline hastened to explain. “Smells like. You know what I mean.”

“What do you mean, Seer?” Devlin prompted with a slight grin, his gaze shrewd and knowing.

Eveline sighed.

Perhaps the Chosen should know about Ramses’ and her agreement. They had a role to play too if her