Page 50 of Echoes of the Banshee

“Favorite season?” I ask, shifting gears.

“Fall,” he says without missing a beat. “I like how death is celebrated.”

“That was surprisingly deep,” I laugh. “I like fall too, though mostly because it means pumpkin everything.”

“How did you get that scar on your eyebrow?” he asks without looking at me. Has he been studying my face?

“Pass.” Not going there tonight.

He looks like he wants to argue. But then he just nods and shifts gears, moving to whatever question was next on his mental list. We go back and forth, getting to know each other, like I did not so long ago with Lazlo. It’s strange. I feel a similar connection to Zair, there are some similarities, but too many differences.

He barely even pauses his questioning to eat and is asking me about my music tastes when I catch the sharp, overwhelming scent of roses. I grimace.

“I apologize in advance,” I mutter.

“Huh?” Zair asks, his gaze meeting mine, searching for context I hadn’t given. Then he sees her. Anita swans up to the table and slides into the booth beside him.

“Zair, darling,” she says, her voice dripping sugar and venom. “I thought we had plans tonight. Or did you forget?” Her hand trails along his arm like it’s her right, fingers brushing lightly against the fabric.

Zair jerks back like she burned him, eyes flashing as he shifts away with a clenched jaw. “Don’t touch me.”

“You always do this,” she snaps. “Pretend nothing’s going on when we were together Friday night. Like that didn’t mean anything.”

I keep my expression flat. Part of me wants to joke that he must’ve been fast to sneak in a whole affair after leaving me at my dorm at eleven. But I swallow it. No point tipping her off to how close we are.

“I’m not pretending,” he replies evenly. “I told you; I don’t date witches, I don’t touch witches, and I definitely don’t make plans with ones who don’t respect my boundaries.”

He glances over at me, and I can almost feel him willing me to believe him. I do. If it had happened, she would’ve posted proof on GhostChat before the sheets were cold.

“As you can see, I’m out with a friend right now.” His words are measured, leaving no room for misinterpretation. She drags her gaze over me, slow and calculating, with a smile so tight it might crack. She knew I was here. That’s why she came. I should’ve picked somewhere farther away.

“Adora. Oh sorry, Thea now,” she says with mock sweetness, like the name tastes bitter on her tongue.

Turning back to Zair, she continues, “It is so kind of you to look after my little sister. She’s so socially stunted. Honestly, it’s a miracle she hasn’t gotten herself into more trouble by now.” Her laugh is light, almost charming, as if she’s sharing a harmless joke.

“Or perhaps I just enjoy her company,” he replies smoothly.

Her smile fades ever so slightly. “Oh, Zair, you’re such a good man,” she says, her voice dropping enough to sound intimate. “It must be exhausting to play the hero all the time.”

“It’s not exhausting—” He pauses, then tilts his head looking at me. “Wait, she’s your sister?”

“Unfortunately,” I say, letting the word drag. “But don’t worry. I’m adopted.”

Zair’s mouth twitches in amusement. “Adopted? That’s a relief.”

“Excuse me,” Anita snaps and turns to me, her expression a perfect mask of hurt. “I’m the only family you have. How could you talk about me like this? You’re supposed to love me.”

I’m supposed to love her. Not that we’re supposed to love each other. The signs were always there.

“You just called me an idiot and now you expect me to love you?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“I wasn’t saying that,” she says. Her eyes shimmer with that phony vulnerability she thinks passes for sincerity. “I just meant… you’re not used to attention. I’d hate for someone to take advantage of your… innocence. His intentions might not be as pure as you think.”

She lets her gaze slide to Zair, smile curling with poisonous sweetness.

“And yours are?” I ask, my voice flat. “Should I be warning him instead?”

“We’re just going to a party,” she says, dismissing me. “I know you don’t usually get invited to those, but they’re harmless fun.”