Cally pressed her lips together, then nodded reluctantly. “I hate that there’s no choice, but I can’t deny taking out Nico Aldobrandini would be satisfying. Even if he hadn’t killed my mother, if he’s anything like Minh, he deserves to die.”
“What if he’s like Antoine?”
“No other vamp is like Antoine.”
“Okay. What if he’s like Gabe?”
Cally didn’t hesitate. “He killed my mom.”
Eve nodded. “You’re right. Sorry.”
Cally rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. “The thing is, I kind of agree with the Order. Their purpose anyway, if not their blackmailing. Though I understand that, too.” She sighed heavily. “Maybe I’d do the same if I were them.”
Eve propped herself up on one elbow and looked down at her. “Vampires have to be stopped, huh?”
“Is there any doubt?”
“I suppose not. Until they check enough names off their list to land on Gabe or Antoine.”
“Well that’s just it, isn’t it? They will be on the list. Hell, it wasn’t difficult to find Antoine. For all their ‘stay in the shadows’, they’re too arrogant to really care.”
“So if we help them, it’s only a matter of time until the target falls on someone we know.”
“Exactly.”
“And if we don’t, then other vampires run free, killing indiscriminately, while they squeeze you tighter and tighter.”
“And you too,” Cally added, looking up at her friend. “Darian’s been sniffing around your workplace.”
Eve was quiet for a long moment. “I suppose I could quit. It’s just a job. I’ve about run out of leave anyway—and excuses.”
“I’ve screwed your life up, haven’t I?”
“Yeah.” Eve looked uncharacteristically despondent. “Though it wasn’t you, was it? It was vampires. And the Order.”
“I’m really sorry, Eve.”
Her friend grimaced. “It’s just a job, isn’t it? This kinda puts everything in perspective. How could I turn up on Mondaymorning and concentrate in meetings, knowing vampires are out there, and I could put a stop to them?”
“You know, you’re right. I could get you on the Order payroll. All it would take is—”
“No,” Eve said quietly. “I won’t sell my soul to them. Even if I agreed with their methods—which I don’t—how could I work for an organization that would threaten the person I love most in the world?”
Cally blinked. “They threatened Henry Cavill?”
“All right, second most.”
Cally grinned, then turned serious. “Antoine will employ you. You can be my witch advisor. Probably get a pay rise, and better healthcare.”
“Yeah,” Eve murmured. “Well, we’ll get to that. I suppose I’ll hand in my notice on Monday. I won’t be going back, anyway.”
“I’m really sorry, babe.”
Eve took a breath and gave herself a little shake. “Okay. Let’s get back to more important things. We have some Gaeilge to learn, and we still have to pick out a dress for you to wear tonight. Do you know where he’s taking you?”
Twenty-Three
Antoine was waiting in the living room, a charcoal overcoat draped over one arm, effortlessly sharp in chinos and a dress shirt. Like he’d stepped out of a European fashion spread without having tried.
