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Miracle of miracles, neither of their phones rang all night. Judging by the sounds in the house throughout the night, more of his team had gotten in. In the predawn light, they must have all retreated to their freshly furnished rooms.

The sun had yet to rise, and the house was quiet. Eryn left Vann to finish showering, and dashed out to catch Lexi before she went to bed. The location share said her sister was right outside. To fight the early morning chill, she snagged one of Vann’s hoodies and tugged it over her head.

Commitment-free relationships meant no sweatshirt borrowing. But a keepsake wouldn’t hurt.

The front door beeped a few times as the alarm disengaged, and Eryn waited as Lexi tiptoed in.

Lexi jumped and clutched her hand over her chest. “Why are you sneaking around like that?”

“Why are you?” Eryn demanded back in a hiss of a whisper.

“I’m trying not to wake Vann’s friends. There were more cars in the driveway, so I assume they got in last night?”

Eryn started toward the kitchen, and Lexi followed. At home in the house that absolutely should not feel so comfortable, she grabbed her favorite mug she’d brought over from her apartment, and poured a steaming dose of the good stuff. “These guys are badasses, yes, but there’s something else about them. It’s hard to describe.”

“Define ‘something else.’” Lexi angled a suspicious look, one sculpted eyebrow lifting.

“Alive. I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. Maybe I spend too much time with people who are sick or dying… and burned-out healthcare providers.”

Lexi poured herself a glass of water and stood next to Eryn in front of the coffee pot, leaning against the counter.

Eryn tipped her head to rest on her sister’s shoulder.

“They can help. Just tell him—”

“No.” Last night had been exactly what she’d been afraid of. Dreamy and addicting and hot. “Vann said he’s going to finish our security system today, and he wants to talk tonight.”

“So you’re going to tell him tonight? That’s great, that’s—”

“No. Once he realizes this isn’t his fault and there’s nothing he can do to fix this, he says he’ll leave.”

“Oh. My. God. Eryn. Just fucking talk to the man. If nothing else, they can go in with sniper rifles or something for backup.”

“When I tried to kill her all those years ago, shooting her didn’t do shit. I’ll take her down, then you’re going to destroy her body.”

“No.” Fists balling at her sides, Lexi forced a breath. “I mean, yes, I’ll cremate the bitch, but I won’t let you go in alone.”

Eryn stood close to absorb her sister’s warmth in the silence of the predawn kitchen. “She’s the vengeful fury, remember? I need her to trust me right up until I drive a dagger through her heart.”

“Maybe I’m a selfish bitch, but to keep you alive and not a murderous bitch? I’m willing to risk Vann and his entire team. But I think they can handle this. They’re… different.”

“Lexi, I know you’re scared. I’m scared. That’s why I have to end this. Now. I’m ready.”

“Please, Eryn—”

“I don’t think she will, but, in case she does, well, she’s got serious issues with her sisters dating people, and you’re my sister, so maybe don’t let John come by for a while, and—”

Lexi stomped her foot and growled helplessly. “Not that it matters, but we broke up—”

“What? When? Why didn’t you tell me?” Eryn’s heart ached, that Lexi had kept it to herself. “Of course it matters.”

“You’ve had a lot to worry about, so I—”

“You’re my sister. I always care about what’s going on with you.”

Would Lexi understand, that Eryn had drained that man’s energy as his heart stopped? That she’d loved it? As Tisiphone said, sisters tell each other everything… but she couldn’t handle Lexi seeing that side of her.

Not until she got it under control. Then, no more secrets.