Eva

The twins watched Dante as he left, and only once the door was closed, did they look at her.

Lowell was the first to speak and Eva didn’t like his insinuating tone.

“You didn’t…did you, Eva?” His brown eyes were almost pleading.

“No.” She shook her head quickly and with complete offense. “I didn't. Why does everyone think I’m lowkey a hoe?”

“It’s not that,” Lowell told her, looking towards their brother as if he wanted to explain but couldn't.“It’s just…”

“Let mom and pop explain themselves.” Simon replied looking at his sleek new Iphone XS. It seemed every time she saw him, he had the latest model. “C'mon, we're going to be late.”

“We’re already late,” she mumbled but didn’t earn a glance from her older brothers who were already heading for the door.

After Lowell ushered Simon out, he motioned for her to follow, but she hesitated. She knew it was supposed to rain. With her windows open, she could smell it, but she hoped she’d be in before it began to pour. She wasn’t afraid to get a little wet.

So, she didn’t follow Dante’s orders. Instead, she took a light jacket before following her brothers down to Lowell's sleek used car so they could make their way across town to church.

When they arrived they were a few minutes late and had to sit in the back to not cause a disturbance.

And it seemed like the longest two and a half hours of Evanora's life.

To have to sit there between her brothers, like they would when they were children, and wonder who in this massive room was a demon. Or halfbreed. Could demons even enter churches or was it like vampires and witches in her fantasy novels? Would they burn? Were vampires and witches real? Were aliens?!

The fact that the source of any of her answers was sitting just ten pews up and to the left didn’t make sitting there any easier.

Her knee bounced so swiftly it shook the pew, earning a stern look from the older woman sitting on the other side of Lowell.

The woman tried to give a polite smile, but when Eva's knee didn't stop its nervous bouncing, the woman shot her a look again, slapping her paper fan to her lap. Her gaze pointedly glanced between Eva's pesky limb and her face, which Eva was sure was anxious.

Eva let out a quiet sigh and with a cross of her arms she stopped her bounce. She wanted answers and she wanted them sooner rather than later.

When her thoughts started to get the best of her again, and her cuticles had already taken the brunt of her anxiety, her knee began to bounce again.

Lowell placed a calming hand there to stop it. He gave her an understanding smile, mouth flattening in a line, and gave her knee a little reassuring squeeze.

It helped but not much.

After the service she knew they would all go out for lunch at noon before the shop opened an hour later. It had been that way for as long as she could remember, but knowing she’d have to sit there and listen to them make excuses made her a little sick to her stomach.

She left a few minutes before the service ended, earning a scolding look from a few elders who had witnessed their coming in late, but she needed some air. She was beginning to feel trapped within her own skin, and if they didn’t want an outburst, it was best if they let her get the air her mind needed.

She leaned against the bricked white wall, trying to soothe her anxiety, and watched the people around her. Just as with the walk home the night before, she felt like they were all watching her.

Again, she knew it was just her mind being paranoid, but it didn’t make her feel any safer being out in the open.

One man in particular stood across the street from the church and he was just…standing there. Watching her. He didn’t smile behind his graying beard, and kept his hands thrust into his pants pockets. He was in a business suit, which seemed odd since his beard was unruly, and his grey eyebrows seemed to be taking over his forehead.

The loud clanging of the church bells behind her snapped her out of his trance and a public bus rolled to a stop in front of him just as people began to trickle from the church doors.

Her mind was getting to her and giving her the jitters. She needed a smoke, but not only had she not brought anything, her family was finally coming into view. Worry written on her parents face. More on her mother’s than her fathers.

They asked her all the wrong questions: if she was alright, how she’d slept the night before, if she'd had breakfast, and she knew her brothers hadn’t told them she knew.

So she decided to.

“I know about our family’s dirty secret.” She crossed her arms just under her bust as she ignored their previous questions.

There was faux confusion on her parent’s foreheads as they looked between their three children. When their eyes synced with Lowell’s almost restless irises and they seemed to tell all, her parents' smiling stopped.

They didn’t go to lunch as usual, but instead went straight to the shop so they could talk about things long overdue.

______________________

Evanora sat there, processing the information her parents had just told her.

She could comprehend the fact demons existed. Not the demons she’d been taught in bible school, but actual demons that lived in another realm called the Nether. She understood that her parents were a part of a secret organization called The Society, and it was their job as Keeper's to clean up after demons so the human world basically wouldn’t freak the fuck out.

Humans were thought of as weak and unable to handle the idea that they weren’t alone. They could barely grasp pronouns and racial differences. How would they handle a completely different species?

Reaper's were what they called their soldiers and it was their job to enforce the rules and protect everyone in the organization. There were Keeper's and Reaper's in every city, state, and country, some more than others.

And finally that her parents had met through the organization, and after their arranged marriage, had fallen for each other. She understood that, even though the arranged marriage part upset her. She'd never seen more love in their eyes when they looked at each other; it had been something she'd always admired about them.

What she didn’t understand was how they could brainwash a little girl into being some sort of pawn in their sick game.

“And now I need some sort of protection because you all think I’m going to what? Sleep with the first person I meet within a few minutes? I’ve kept it in my pants far longer than the twins ever did.” She was confused as to why they were so worried. All her parents ever harped on when she was of age was to wait until- “Is this why you wanted me to wait until I was married? So you could find me a what? A Keeper to-to procreate with?”

She was becoming angry and her parents could tell. Lowell stood there, leaning against the wall watching for her reactions just as her parents had when they began their explanation.

Her other brother, Simon, stood next to the large bookcase that held lore and antique books. He wouldn’t look at her.

Instead, his scrutinizing gaze was on their parents. “And why am I just finding out about the necklaces' history? Not telling Eva I get but me? Did you know about this?”

He looked to his twin who shrugged nonchalantly as a response.

“Lowell has been more present in the workings of the shop.” Her mother tried to coax him. “While you-”

“Have been completely irresponsible for the past three years,” her father retorted. “First the car, interacting with demons, and-”

“And why the hell did you even hire him?” Simon hurled back. “Dante the Demon hunter? The Bastard halfbreed? What were you thinking?”

“You better check your tone,” their father nearly snapped, shocking her. She had never seen her father’s face contort like that. Even when Simon had crashed the family car. “And why would hiring him be a problem?”

“Because,” Simon growled just as vicious. “We are more than capable of handling our own. Especially our baby sister. We don’t need some halfbreed scum coming and going from her place whenever he feels like it.”

Evanora wanted to chime in that she wasn’t a baby anymore but before she could, her mother spoke up. Her voice was calm but stern.

“He is not to be coming and going as he pleases. That is definitely not okay.” She looked at her daughter with reassurance.

“He’s only a temporary solution,” her father replied tensely. “But I think the real question is, why have you been gambling with him?”

Evanora looked towards her brothers’ twisted face. She’d found out about his gambling habit when she was a teenager but after an incident that left him with a broken nose, she’d thought he’d stopped. He’d once told her he was doing better, but the fact he’d still been gambling and with demons, it scared her.

“How much?” she asked, willing her brother to look at her.

“Does that matter?” he countered.

“Two grand,” Lowell chimed in. “The last I heard it was two grand to Dante and a little less to a few others.”

“Snitch. I’ve squared with some of those,” Simon retorted defensively.

“Not with Dante.” Their father shook his head in disappointment. “We paid half your debt for this deal. He was generous enough to basically look over your sister for free. Since you owe so much.”

“Since when does the demon hunter have a conscience?” Lowell asked incredulously.

“He doesn’t.” Simon snapped once more. “What did he ask in trade? Evanora? You know his reputation.”

“Which is exactly why he was not supposed to enter her home.” Their mother calmed, slender hands waving them down, then placing them on her stomach. “He didn’t…he didn’t, um-”

“Make a pass at you?” Her father supplied, uncomfortably.“Did he?”

She shook her head though didn’t tell them he nearly saw her naked.

“Good.” Simon growled. “You are not to sleep with him.”

She felt her cheeks warm and her eye twitch as she stood. It wasn’t any of their business who she- especially to have her brothers thinking-

Lowell, always keen to her emotions, spoke before she could lash out.

“How about we all just…take a beat. Okay?” He smiled at her and it was again in understanding. “We all know she’s been able to…um.” He looked away uncomfortable with the topic. “Well, you know, I mean–we should just give her more credit.”

“She’s twenty-two.” Simon's words were incredulous, as if her age meant everything.

“And what I do with my body is none of your business.” But she realized it was. She was the only reason demons couldn’t smell the power the pendant was leaking.

It was…awkward. The tension in the room from the conversation was just…it wasn’t something she wanted to talk about with her family. It was weird and uncomfortable. So, she left the room.

As she left, she heard her father. He sounded tired and defeated when he told Simon to go out and get everyone some lunch. Tensions were high and they all needed to do as Lowell suggested.

Take a break from this conversation.

She didn’t hear his response, but soon he was walking past her to get to the alley behind their shop where her parents' car was.

He didn’t say anything as he passed, didn’t even look at her. For a moment, she feared he was angry with her but then thought: why should he be?

He wasn’t the one who’d been lied to for twenty-two years. And he certainly wasn’t the one risking his life over a pendant that contained a demonic creature that if released into the wrong hands could bring about a mass genocide in both realms.

No, so he shouldn’t be pissy.

She couldn’t help but need a smoke. Her nerves were getting the better of her and she craved the calming effect it had on her anxiety.

Her mother came out just a few minutes after Simon left and stood with her a moment before apologizing again.

“It’s what was necessary.” She tried to explain to Eva.

“You told the twins.” Eva sighed remembering the previous conversation. She sat on the hard wooden love-seat in the hall. “What, when they were like thirteen? Why didn't you tell me?”

Her mother put her hands to her chest, and Eva saw the pain in her eyes.

“You'd been through so much.” She sat next to her daughter, placing a hand on the small of her back tenderly. “We just…didn't want to put more on you. We wanted to tell you, baby. But, I wish someone would have protected me when I was that age. The weight of that responsibility…I wanted to give you a chance at a better childhood.”

She wanted to say they didn't. That they'd kept her a damn prisoner in her home. Was she even the person she thought she was? Was her personality hers or was it a response to never leaving the house. Never making friends, never meeting anyone but her family.

Eva realized just how sheltered she'd been her whole life and had never even questioned it.

She loved her parents; she knew they loved her. But it was hard not to be upset with them. They had kept her experiences from her, for what? For an illusion of a better childhood?

For…the great good? It sounded cliché but that’s what it was.

“Do you understand?” Her mother tried to turn Eva's face towards her and for a moment she didn’t comply. She was thinking through things.

“Who is Dante?” she asked, finally looking at her. “Why Dante?”

Her mother sighed. “You don’t remember much of that night. And we’ve never forced you to. It was a traumatic experience and we feared you’d break down and ask more questions if you knew the truth.”

She was silent for a moment, staring into her daughter's face as if looking for something.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Eva remembered the icy eyes, the strong hold, but was unsure. The fire was so hot, and the smoke was thick and choking. She didn’t remember much of that night other than waking surrounded by flames and wondering where her parents were. She went to her brother’s room, only they weren’t there. Before she could leave, a pillar broke, knocking her down and nearly unconscious. It was heavy and she was just a child.

“It was Dante, wasn’t it?” she asked. “Dante pulled me from the fire?”

Her mother nodded. “It was a terrible night. A freak accident. He saved your life. You could have…you could’ve died that night. And he’s never asked for anything in return.”

She noticed how torn her mother was over the topic, her eyes welling with tears. But also how grateful she was to Dante for not only saving her child’s life, but for being noble and never asking for a favor in return. Eva embraced her mother, knowing she needed it–maybe Eva needed it too– and stopped prying into painful memories.

He never asked for anything, and Simon still treated him like the devil incarnate. It wasn’t right.

She promised herself she’d talk to him when he came back; to make him realize that without Dante, she probably–no–she wouldn’t be here.

Only, when he did return, he was nearly two hours late for both lunch and his shift. He removed his leather jacket, revealing a purplish hand-shaped bruise on his right bicep that caused Eva to get sidetracked with her original topic.

He wouldn’t give her a valid explanation on how he got it, or any excuse really. He just came in and got to work, ignoring her question.

She looked towards Lowell and he wouldn’t look at her either. Eva wanted to know what was going on with her brother, but she didn’t want to pressure him to tell her and risk a blow out.

Simon was normally the one who was quick to yell at her while Lowell was more laid back. And she didn’t want to be yelled at today.

While the twins' personalities were polar opposites, she still wasn’t as outspoken as either of them. It had often caused a slight rift between them, but never tore them apart. She had noticed she'd been seeing more of Lowell at the shop compared to his twin, but again, had never questioned it. Figuring it was just Simon being Simon.

When it was time to close the shop, Eva was starving. Her brothers were long gone; they often left early when they decided to show but got paid the same.

Somehow, she didn’t think that was fair and wondered for the first time if there was a reason for this. Did they have Keeper responsibilities outside of working at the shop?

She didn’t have time to ask her parents though. She was hungry and could hear her stomach growling in her back, as if an angry bear had crawled within her.

Her parents offered her a ride, but she declined, despite the thunder she could hear rumbling in the distance.. She’d been traveling home by herself for a couple of weeks without them, and didn’t need them now. Even with the new knowledge.

She also didn’t need Dante, whom she assumed was the source of her sudden flesh bumps, to be following her. She'd gotten the same feeling when he'd come by the shop, and knew he had to be close by; his grey eyes watching her.

So, as she neared her new home, she took an alleyway for a shortcut. Just to aggravate him.

It wasn't something she'd normally do at night due to its dim lighting. She'd noticed the path one day when she'd lied to her parents about being with Simon; he'd often been the scapegoat. It would only cut a few minutes from her near twenty minute walk home, and usually wasn't the risk.

There were a couple large trash bins hugging the wall, and at night they seemed like the perfect place for someone to hide. In the city, she'd noticed a lot of the homeless wandering around, more so during the day than at night. But when she'd taken this route during the day, it was usually empty.

As she walked, she held back her smug smile. However, as the flesh on the back of her neck prickled further while she neared the end of the backstreet, and Dante did not reveal himself, an unease settled in the pit of her stomach. She questioned her sanity and if she'd been wrong.

She was about to call his name, but as she reached the edge of the exit, he stepped from around the corner. His long black coat flared as he did. She gave a yelp at his sudden appearance, and a second when he took her by the arm to pull her back against the alley wall.

“Are you trying to tempt fate?” he asked, searching her face. “Or are you just a fucking idiot?”

She worked to calm her heart, holding a smile but then frowned at the insult. “I knew it was you.”

He had stopped watching her face and instead glanced around them. She'd noticed a few cars passing by as she walked through but the area was relatively quiet around this time of night. There were a few new constructions happening and most if not all the shops or businesses closed the same as her parents. There were a few residential buildings but not many. It was why she'd chosen the area; it was quiet and cheap.

For a second, his eyes met hers as he asked, “Did you now?”

He only showed amusement for a moment then he continued his sweep of the darkness behind them.

She turned to search with him, questioning what the hell he was looking for, but he pushed her shoulder and pinned her against the wall again.

When he shushed her, her frown deepened with her frustration. Though his hold was firm, he wasn't hurting her. It also didn't mean she wanted him touching her.

Okay, that was a lie. His intoxicating scent filled her senses with how close he was towering over her. From this angle she could see some type of black tattoo on his neck that she hadn’t noticed under yesterday's high collar.

The collar on the shirt today was shorter, or maybe looser? Eva couldn't decide. He still wore a tie–red–and it complimented the all black ensemble well. For a moment she wondered if he dressed himself or if someone styled him. A woman maybe?

There was a moment of jealousy in that thought; she pushed down. She continued her quick assessment of his more modern suit under the very dated calf length leather trench.

He looked like he'd stepped out of a vampire movie and, again, it would have looked strange on anyone but Just Dante. His muscled statuesque frame filled out the suit perfectly, almost as if he'd had it tailored.

Did they have tailors in hell? No, the Nether. She had to get used to making that distinction.

She raked her eyes back to his face only to have a heat warm her cheeks when she realized he'd also been looking her over.

She suddenly felt very uncomfortable with how close his face was to hers. With the way his touch warmed something in the pit of her stomach, even though there was a layer of clothing between his hand and her body. With how she could feel the warmth coming from him.

The skin on the back of her neck prickled again and flesh bumps broke out on her arms with the way he looked at her. There was a sudden heat flushing through her entire being, one she'd only get when reading some very, very steamy smut.

And she knew she needed to break the hold he had on her before she did the one thing she promised her parents she wouldn't do.

Again, she tried to shift away from him but the hold on her shoulder stayed, causing her to arch a confused brow he didn't see. He was no longer looking at her, which eased some of the intensity she felt. His attention was back to the dimly lit alleyway.

A muffled rumbling began to sound from the direction she'd come, though she couldn't see where the source of the noise originated.

“The fuck?” It was a quiet profanity that she hadn't meant to say aloud, and it caused a small smirk to form at the corner of Dante's mouth.

“Stay here.” His stern grey eyes compelled her to listen, and she watched him stalk slowly towards the sound like an insane person.

Soon the rumbling grew a bit louder but sounded deep at the same time. She peered past him and noticed a faint blue glow slowly gliding towards them in a S-like motion underneath the ground. It moved smoothly with predatory grace, like a shark would in water, before disappearing underneath the neighboring buildings then wading back into the alley. As it neared, the blue grew brighter and the rumbling louder. The ground where it drifted began to crumble, letting the glow shine brighter.

The light stopped just a couple feet in front of Dante. It pulsed like breathing, and Dante's hands went to the weapon at his belt though he didn't remove it.

The crackling in the asphalt slowly shifted to the right of him, and Dante stepped deliberately in its path. It repeated the motion in the other direction, and when Dante did the same, the blue light seemed to vibrate below him, its glow dimming before becoming brighter than it had at first.

Like lightning, it suddenly shot backwards towards the middle of the alleyway, pulsating there for a moment before dissipating beneath the surface.

“What was-” he put a hand up to both silence her and keep her from walking over but he didn't have to worry about the latter.

Just as he did, the ground began to give way from where the light disappeared. It cracked open as if a tiny sinkhole was happening just in that very spot before a giant animal leaped out. It was a pitch black dog-like creature, only it was way too damn big to be a regular dog or even a wolf.

Its electric blue veins radiated in the darkness of its body as it shook out the long quills curved at its spine and back. They covered the top half of its body like spiky fur, though they looked just as sharp as the three long claws coming from its four paws.

Just like a wolf, it stood rigid, hackles raised like a dark crown on its neck and back. It lowered its head, electric blue eyes calculating while it looked between Dante and Eva. When its gaze landed on her, its lips curled in a silent snarl, revealing rows of sharp teeth like a shark.

“Fuck-face!” Dante whistled, gaining the creature's attention again. “Well, don't you have a pretty mouth.”

The creature's long spiked tail went stiff as it prepared for its attack, and Eva felt a scream bubbling in her chest.

Before it could release, the sound of gunfire cut it short. A couple of pops sounded causing her to jerk her hands to her ears, freezing up. The animal hunkered down before leaping for its attack. The bullets struck its torso but it continued to lung for Dante, the bullets didn’t even seem to faze it.

Dante holstered his gun quickly and pulled the large sword resting on his back. He swung for the beast's snarling face.

At the last moment, the creature dodged the blow but scratched Dante’s back viciously with its razor claws. He didn’t slow with the wound as he took the large blade and slashed the left side of the monster, causing it to bleed blue.

It howled out in pain but kept coming after him.

Dante wielded his weapon flawlessly, as if he’d been born with it attached to his arm. Evanora watched in astonishment, her chest heaving with anxiety, but she finally realized why they called him: Demon Hunter.

The creature didn’t land any more blows to the Hunter but Dante did more damage to it until he dealt a slash so deep it nearly split the creature in two.

It laid on the floor writhing in pain as Dante walked towards its half dead carcass.

She didn’t walk with him down the alley, knowing what needed to be done. He was going to kill whatever it was and she didn’t want to watch up close. It was hard enough watching him shoot it down as it attacked; yet she hadn't been able to look away from him moving so elegantly.

“Who sent you?” Dante demanded, placing the sword's blade at the creature’s neck.

For a moment Evanora expected the creature to speak actual English but instead it growled and sputtered before dying.

Though she thought it was dead, Dante still severed its head from its body, causing her to flinch at its crunching squelch.

He effortlessly flung the creature's goop from his sword before stalking towards her.

“Are you okay?” he asked while slipping the long blade onto his back again.

For a moment, she couldn’t answer, and he chuckled. His icy blue eyes were filled with amusement before simmering back to their normal grey.

“Yeah, you’re alright.” He took her upper arm and began dragging her out the alley. They'd gotten a few feet down the sidewalk before her thoughts had stopped spiraling.

“Wait!” she exclaimed, finally able to speak. “The-that-thing-”

“Was a demon.” He nodded, confirming.

“But we can’t just leave it, what if-”

“It’s already been reported.” He didn’t let up on his walk or his grip until she stopped, yanking her arm from his grasp. Her action gathered the attention of a couple walking their dog toward them on the sidewalk. They stopped, though their dog barked once it saw the two strangers.

Eva wondered how they had not heard the two gunshots. They'd only seemed stunned with Eva's brief struggle.

“By who?” She was truly curious but Dante cocked his head, either at her brazzeness or her volume.

Were they the only Keeper's within the city or were there others so close? She hadn't gotten that far with her parents. She hadn't known to ask; they'd ticked off information quickly before Eva could even form a coherent thought.

“Does it matter?” He countered, face scrunching in a flippant manner. “I just need to get your ass home, and out of the open.”

As he spoke, another loud clap sounded within the sky and rain began to pour, drenching Evanora to her very core. She could smell it in the air when she'd left the shop, but she thought she'd have more time.

“I told you to bring an umbrella.” He shook his head at her when her coily hair began to flatten with the weight of the rain.

She was certain she resembled a drowned cat but, instead of making a snide remark, she began walking again.

Dante the Demon Hunter followed beside her and kept her quick stride. She scolded herself for not following his instructions as the chilled rain soaked her through. Her jacket and clothes clung to her body just like her hair stuck to her face.

After a few moments of walking in silence with the only noise the sound of rain, booming thunder, and the occasional car passing slowly to not splash the couple, Dante finally spoke. “Why don’t you let your parents drive you home?”

Evanora wasn’t sure why he was asking. “Does it matter?”

She took on the same curt tone Dante had just moments earlier. Pushing her drenched hair from her face she looked up at him then stared ahead, not liking the fact the rain tangled her long lashes, or the fact Dante wasn’t even looking at her.

A true gentleman would have offered his long trench coat but obviously Dante wasn’t a gentleman.

The moisture darkened his white hair to a grey, but seemed to roll off the rest of him without hesitation. She felt slight envy, though quickly squashed that thought, realizing just how immature and egocentric it was. What kind of person would relinquish their only means of warmth and dryness to a person they barely knew just to end up with a head cold later.

She shook her head, banishing the thought, and ran her hands over her hair to wring out some of the moisture. Her apartment building was beginning to come into view, and her stride nearly quickened.

The three police cars sitting in front of the bricked building, lights whirling but sirens muted, made her pause.

Again, she looked up at Dante, who was focused on the situation, but kept his broad shoulders eased. His confidence gave her strength. They reached the marked cars and entered the building, earning a couple of curious glances from the police and superintendent at their drenched forms.

The sight of cops always set her on edge: most likely trouble followed close behind.

She wasn’t one to meddle, but this was her new building and she wanted to know what was happening. Maybe they were there because of the attack she and Dante had just encountered.

Instead of heading towards the elevator like Dante was, she directed her destination towards the plump super talking with the diverse group of police.

Dante’s hand snaked out a little too late to catch her arm, and she looked over her shoulder to see him giving her a forced look.

She caught the end of the conversation between the two men and had to stop her emotions from taking over.

“Mrs. Wells is dead?” Stunned, her hands flew to her mouth. “What happened?”

The elderly woman lived in the apartment just below hers. She’d been kind enough to bring up a rice casserole when Evanora first moved in. When she'd realized how empty her apartment was, the kind woman had even given her an old couch she claimed she wasn't using. Evanora didn’t know her well, but one of her cats often found its way to her doorstep, causing her to take him back to the tiny woman.

The male cop looked past her and towards Dante, who she was positive was standing behind her. She didn’t turn, waiting for the man’s answer.

He made eye contact with her again and scanned her wet form. “Did you know her?”

“Barely,” she told him. “She lived in the apartment below mine. I was always bringing her cat home to her.”

As she thought about it, the little bugger didn’t come to her door last night. Probably because of Dante's presence.

“You live in apartment 5C?” a female cop asked, coming to join the conversation. She was a little shorter than Evanora and seemed far too fragile to be a cop. Her body was just as tiny as her face.

However, Evanora didn’t express this, instead answering her question,“Yes, why?”

“Your home was one of the four broken into.” She looked at the clipboard in her grasp. “We’re going to need you to take inventory of your things and make a report.”

Eva looked behind her for Dante, but he was gone. For a moment, she hoped he hadn’t abandoned her. What if whoever had invaded her space was still up there?

“Are they…” her words trailed off nervously.

“No,” the first male cop reassured. “Whoever did this is long gone.”

She nodded, then turned to go to the elevator with two cops on her tail. They entered the elevator with her and stood silently behind her as the doors closed.

The space chimed with each floor they passed. When they reached the fourth ding, the doors opened revealing an empty hallway.

She walked with hollow legs towards her ajar door, and quickly began looking around as she walked the short hallway leading to the living room.

Dante was standing there, startling them all, and nearly caused the two cops behind her to draw their weapons.

“Is this your husband?” the male cop asked, after clipping the strap shut to his holster.

“No.” She shook her head, glaring at the halfbreed. “He’s just a…friend. Acquaintance.”

For a moment, she worried for Dante's back; the three long gashes in his coat. She scolded herself for not just sneaking past her new guest. But while she looked over her apartment, he never left his post by the window. Never gave them his back.

So she focused her attention on searching for her things. The apartment wasn’t so much as trashed, just messier than it had been originally. In her room the drawers to her dresser were pulled out revealing messy and unfolded clothes, the closet door was off its track and her shoes overturned. In the kitchen, appliances were moved and it was the same in the living-room where her books were flipped from their home.

“Nothing’s missing.” She told them. “I mean I didn't have much to begin with but it's like they were looking for something maybe?”

“Ma’am, do you have any idea as to who would do this or what they were looking for?” the female cop questioned.

Evanora shook her head then pulled her wet hair from her face with a hair tie she'd found in her room. She noticed as their gaze met the side of her neck, then the woman’s sympathetic look and the man’s sudden avoidance. It would have angered her if she wasn’t used to it already.

She peeled her drenched jacket from her body, and after thanking them, began ushering them out.

“Well, if you think of anything-”

“I’ll let you know,” she told them both politely, leading them out.

Not only did she want to get out of her wet clothes and into a warm shower, she first needed to ask Dante what was going on.

“I overheard them saying the others were this way, too.” He told her, removing his long coat and weapons. “You met with the old woman, correct? On a near regular basis?”

She nodded. “Whose homes were invaded?”

Somehow she felt she knew what he was getting at.

“A couple across the hall and a man a few doors down.”

“Amy and Tyler, and Dontrell.” She nodded.

Amy and Tyler, a mixed couple, had invited her over for dinner a day or so after she'd moved in. Dontrell had seen her struggling to get some of her furniture up to her apartment, and had helped move her in when he realized she was alone. She'd also been getting his mail for the past few days and vice versa.

“The names don’t matter.” Dante informed her. “They were invaded because they encountered you. Whatever broke into their homes knows your scent.”

She didn’t see how that was possible but didn’t voice it. “Why now? And why Mrs. Wells? Why would they kill her because of me?”

For a moment she thought he was going to be kind and sugarcoat what she knew to be the truth, but instead he was blunt.

“It was a heart attack. But yes, because you came into contact with the old woman, who or whatever did this, gave her the shock of her life.”

She felt enraged that the pendant around her neck was the cause of all this.

She couldn’t have known. She didn’t know.

Her hand wrapped around the sapphire crystal dangling just above her cleavage. The thought of yanking and discarding it ran through her mind. She didn’t want this responsibility. She didn’t think she could handle it.

As if sensing her thoughts, Dante walked towards her but instead of embracing her as she thought, he went to sit on the couch.

“You should get some sleep. This is a lot to take in and I don’t want you passing out on me.”

She stood there a moment more, just holding the pendant, looking hard at the back of the dead woman's couch.

“Removing it now would not bring her back. It would just kill more people, including yourself. But if that’s what you want, that's fine, too.”

“Are you always this annoying?” she asked, growing more agitated.

He only shrugged his shoulders and stared at the television he’d turned on.

She left him, not wanting to watch the news channel he turned it to.