Page 7 of A Wild Darkness

I twist a loose strand of hair. “Maybe.”

“I know you’re just trying to avoid Sebastian,” she accuses.

And she’s right. “So?”

“He’ll probably be busy with his next nighttime project, anyway.”

The simple mention of the nighttime project takes me back to a short time ago when I moved into the manor while my sister and her serial killer boyfriend’s underground empire took revenge on the men who captured and assaulted her. I’d like to not relive that nightmare anytime soon.

The rain raps at the glass window behind my head. “Fine. We can talk about it when you get back.”

Lux giggles as if keeping something humorous in.

“What?” I snap.

“Nothing.” Her voice is tight.

I roll my eyes and fold one arm over the other. “Lux.”

She blows out a breath, giving up. “Fine, I just think you and Sebastian would get along if you got to know each other better.”

“We tried.”

“Maybe try again?”

I pull my lips to the slide, annoyed at her persistence. “Us trying included breakfast, one session with their personal trainer, and a small collaboration on the nighttime project.”

Their team was working to take down Andrew Hughes, the heir to a well-known hotel chain. It was an intense time, and I do not wish to revisit that world either.

“But since you and his cousin are grossly obsessed with each other, I’m sure I’ll be around him more than I’d like, anyway.” I click on another email.

“That’s better than nothing,” she says. “And I’ll take it.”

I can’t help but laugh at my sister. “How’s the writing going?”

“Eh. I have done little in the last couple of weeks as you know, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to get into the zone once River and I are in France and eventually meet my deadline.”

“Give yourself some grace—I’m sure you’ll find the words soon.”

“Thanks, Stevie. How’s Nevermore?” she asks as we quickly catch up on other things.

I glance again at the rain outside as it blankets the forest trees. “Good. Kristine has been taking on additional administrative work, which has freed up more of my time.”

“That’s great!” Lux’s high-pitched voice vibrates through the phone. “That means you’ll have more time for your grave-rubbing art.”

Grave rubbing was something my mother used to do. And I took an interest in it early on, maybe to feel like I was closer to her and that we had something in common.

“Yeah, and I don’t have to feel as stressed. I’ve been prepping more clients again, too.”

“Aww. Taking care of them yourself has always been your first love,” she coos.

“Someone has to watch out for the dead, right?” I comment. “And I’m the best person to do it.”

“You are, Stevie,” she says. “I guess what we do for a living is a result of how we grew up with Dad, huh?”

“Exactly.” My eyes scan through a full inbox of emails to get back to. “Okay, okay. I need to get back to work. See you tonight.”

She laughs. “We’ll talk later. Bye.”