is going through some pretty drastic changes. It requires fuel to manage it all.”
“Will my system revert when I’m . . . free?”
Alec sighed, his breath flowing across her lips like a feather light kiss. “I don’t know, angel. I’ve never met a former Mark.”
“Really?” She bit her lower lip.
“Really.” He pressed his temple to hers. She could sense his sexual hunger in the underlying tension of his powerful frame.
“I’ll find a way,” she promised, as much to herself as to him.
“I’ll help you.”
The doorbell rang, and they broke apart. She looked away first.
“What about the gargoyle?” she asked, as they moved into the living room.
“We’ll catch up with him tomorrow.” Alec noted her questioning glance and explained, “He can’t go far. Tengu draw their energy from the inhabitants of the building they decorate. They stir feelings of anxiety and unhappiness, and feed off of them. Straying too far is like starving.”
“That’s fascinating.”
“All Infernals have their preferences and vulnerabilities. The Nix have to stay near water, as do kappas. Trolls live near woods. When you start your classes, you’ll learn the vagaries of each branch. Knowledge is power. Exploiting a weakness can save your life.”
Eve reached for the doorknob. “How many branches are there?”
“A few hundred. But each has subdivisions that can number into the thousands.”
“Oh my G—” She caught herself.
“Watch it.”
She growled. “I’m trying.”
Pulling open the door, Eve felt her mood improving when she found Mrs. Basso on her doorstep. Tonight her neighbor wore olive slacks with a matching sweater vest and emerald necklace. A loose white blouse kept the ensemble feminine and casual.
Eve hugged her.
“You look gorgeous,” Mrs. Basso said.
“So do you,” she returned. Then she introduced her to Alec.
Mrs. Basso held a brown paper bag and a bottle of Chianti in her hands. Eve offered to take both from her, but she declined with a curious blush staining her cheeks.
“Evie-san!” her mother called out. “Can you set the table?”
“Yes, Mom.” She looked at Alec. “The remote is on the coffee table, if you two would like to watch TV.”
As she moved to the kitchen, Eve heard the low drone of subdued voices behind her. She strained to hear, curious about Alec and the way he interacted with others. He was right. She didn’t know anything about him beyond the combustible attraction her body felt for his. Maybe she should learn, if only in the hopes of discovering something that would turn her off enough to get over him.
As she opened the cupboard that held her plates and withdrew four, the voices in the living room grew in volume. Not because Alec and Mrs. Basso were moving closer or talking louder, but because Eve’s hearing was sharpening. Every noise seemed suddenly amplified, as if her ears had an adjustable volume knob and someone had cranked it higher.
“I brought this for you, Mr. Cain,” Mrs. Basso said.
Eve heard the paper bag exchange hands.
“Thank you.” The surprise in Alec’s voice made her smile.
“It was one of my late husband’s favorite recipes. I included some of the spices that are sometimes harder to find.”
Leaning around the support post, Eve craned her neck to get a look. They stood in the living room, the recessed lights bathing both of them in a white glow. Alec stood a foot taller than Mrs. Basso, giving the impression of a man speaking to a child. He was looking into the bag, and the perplexed frown on his face intrigued her.
“Add a cup of the Chianti to the sauce just before serving,” Mrs. Basso said, “then enjoy the rest by the glass. You’ll find the meal creates a mellow, luxurious mood.”
“Mellow mood?”
Eve set the plates down quickly, fighting a building surge of humor.
Mrs. Basso cleared her throat. “Evangeline is so like me in some ways.” Her face flamed with color. “We can appear tougher than we are. I think a quiet, romantic evening with good food will please her greatly.”
Alec’s head turned to find Eve and she faced forward swiftly, moving toward the silverware drawer in feigned ignorance of his conversation. She felt Alec’s gaze on her back and bit her lip. Listening to Mrs. Basso give seduction pointers to Alec was priceless.
“Don’t forget the forks,” her mother chastised, pouring the curry from the pot into a serving dish. “Even when you plan on using only spoons, you should still set out forks.”
“Hush, Mom,” Eve said, waving her hand in an impatient gesture.
“Why are you whispering?”
“Uh . . .” Alec coughed.
“I worry about Evangeline.” Mrs. Basso’s