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“Stop being a brat. The earrings are still a poor fashion choice for your life.” Daphne was the only person I’d ever mustered this amount of patience for. She was also secure in her belief that I wouldn’t fire her no matter what she said to me. And she was right.
I could still remember the way her soul had looked the first time I saw her. It was so dim I almost couldn’t read it, and what Icouldread was a story of emotional pain no one should have to go through. The fact that that soul had been in the body of a twelve-year-old girl had been more than enough motivation for me to steal her.
I didn’t raise Daphne, but out of everyone who worked for me, I had the strongest bond with her. She lived in Boston, in one of the apartments upstairs, but while I was away, she’d visit for a weekend every month or two. Daphne was as close as I’d ever get to having a daughter.
“You’re no fun at all.” She pouted.
“I never claimed to be fun.”
“Then I might have to leave you here and go find someone who is fun to entertain me.”
I gestured toward the club. “No one’s stopping you.” I knew she wouldn’t make good on the threat. Daphne wasn’t a flirt or much of a dancer. She didn’t do casual relationships or “just having fun.” It was all or nothing with her.
To my surprise she stood, but instead of moving toward the dance floor, she headed for the door into the hallway maze that led to the back rooms.
I caught her wrist before she could open the door.
She shot a glare over her shoulder. “What?”
“You’re not hiding in the back rooms today. I want you here.”
“Why?”
Before I could answer, the door in front of Daphne opened to reveal Thomas standing on the other side. His brows rose when he saw us standing there.
Daphne sighed dramatically and returned to the couch, propping her feet on the low table in front of her.
Thomas stepped into the alcove and held an unmarked envelope out to me. “You’ve been invited to attend a charity ball.”
“And I should be interested because?”
“It’s hosted by Nacio’s parents. The invitation came from him.”
This used to be normal when I lived in Boston before. It was part of our deal. Nacio was my in to any event hosted by Boston’s richest and most well-known residents. I rarely attended, but it made life easier to know I had the in if I needed it. In the three years I’d both lived here and had Nacio on my payroll, I’d only ever gone to one of the events he’d invited me to.
“I see.” I scanned the invitation. “This is tomorrow.”
Thomas shrugged. “He didn’t know you were in town until last weekend.”
“I’ll go.”
Thomas blinked. “You’re going?”
“That’s what I said.” I wanted to talk to Nacio. He had yet to show up here since I’d come back, and I wanted to see his ass in my gym soon. I didn’t have room for anyone who couldn’t hold their own against a demon, even someone with Nacio’s status. We might as well have that conversation at this ball of his parents’. “Daph, you want to be my date to a fancy ball?”
“A ball? You’re serious?”
I nodded. “I’ll pick you up at five tomorrow.”
A part of me wondered what the hell I was doing. I should just demand Nacio meet me here. I didn’t have to go to this ball and play at being human. But now I did have to because I’d told Daphne I’d take her.
* * *
The ballroom was giant,with hardwood floors and crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Strings music was coming from a corner. Round tables were piled with desserts and little sandwiches. Servers moved through the sea of dresses and tuxes with trays of drinks. There wasn’t even a bar I could hide at.
Beside me, Daphne was taking in the scene with wide eyes. The childlike wonder was the only thing childish-looking about her tonight. She was wearing a dark blue dress that lightened at the bottom. Sparkly rhinestones decorated the strap that went over one shoulder, and the back was open with thick strips of fabric crossing it.
She looked beautiful, and every protective instinct rose to the surface. Daphne was twenty and a far cry from a child in need of saving, but when I looked at her, I couldn’t forget the way her soul had looked all those years ago. It was bright now, but I knew how easy it was to make a soul dim and how long it had taken for hers to start shining so beautifully.
