Page 137 of Accomplice to the Villain

“It is your own fault. I told you it would be better if you give a warning before you enter like your hair is on fire,” Evie argued.

The veins in Trystan’s forehead were looking to make their great escape. “It is calledbreaking and entering, Sage. I broke. I entered. And was stabbed with a fork. All in all, a successful entrance.”

Evie smiled fondly, warmly. “You’re right.”

Trystan eyed her warily. “This is a trap.”

She shoved him, rolling her eyes, and once more, Winnifred repeated herself. “Excuse me?” A little louder, still far too quiet.

Alexander didn’t care to watch her do it again. He noticed a chalkboard hanging in the corner of the kitchen for ingredients and wrote one word.

Listen.

“What are you doing?” Winnifred whispered to him in astonished confusion. “Don’t do that.” She waved her hands as if willing his sentience away.

The woman had magic of some sort. Was a communicative frog all that much more to grapple with? He double-checked his spelling.Nope.Not that.

“Apologies.” Trystan cleared his throat, bowing stiffly. “We’re here to see my mother. Arthur, I believe, went through the front.”

Winnifred gasped, eyes glued to Evie. “But you’re The— I mean, from the flyer, you look like, um— Are you certain Mistress Maverine would invite you here?”

Evie assured her, “Oh, we weren’t invited.”

Winnifred squeaked. Like a mouse.

“Trystan!” Amara’s voice pierced the calm that had settled over the kitchen. “Get in here. Now!”

Winnifred sighed. “I’m getting fired.”

Alexander made an odd sound, his snort while laughing coming out as sort of a croak. It wasn’t so different from the others, but making that sound was somehow more tolerable when it was his choice.

“Oh, fear not.” Evie waved her hands around. “We’ll lie and say we threatened you!”

“Lie?” Winnifred muttered under her breath, turning her head and exposing a small beauty mark just below her cheekbone.

Evie gave Winnifred’s arm a familiar squeeze—so familiar Alexander almost believed they hadn’t just met two minutes ago. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of it.” She waved an arm. “Come along, Trystan.” The order was thrown over her shoulder, as she was already halfway through the door.

“I’m not a dog,” he replied darkly.

Evie shrugged, still walking, face forward. “Fine. Stay, boy. I’m going to meet your mom; I am sure we’ll have a lot to talk about.”

Uh-oh.

The ominous warning was not necessary, however.

Considering Trystan had already heeded her order to follow as soon as her back had turned.

Chapter 70

Becky

Meanwhile, back at the manor…

“Ms. Erring?” Lyssa asked from outside the vent near the manor’s front entrance. The one Becky currently had her head stuck in. “Are you looking for the traitor in the ventilation system?”

Becky winced slowly as she slid out, then waved a stern finger. “Why would I look for them in the air vents? A person wouldn’t even fit in here.” As she’d just discovered—three seconds ago.

“I think you’re worried about Blade, so you’re probably not thinking with a clear head,” Lyssa said solemnly, laying the back of her hand against Becky’s forehead as if checking for fever.