Page 21

"Seriously though. Wouldn't want...there to be ill effects you don't know about," he hurriedly went on, turning the coffee cup in his hand methodically, over and over, clearly wanting to change the subject back to Juniper.

Ridiculous.

“That’s awfully magnanimous of you,” I drawled, turning the tables on him. Was he interested in keeping his tail on the girl simply because I was interested? He was Envy after all...that in itself was enough of a reason. Or, like me, had he noticed something about her that was different? Had she piqued his interest like she had mine? Did he feel drawn to her the same way I had?

I stared at his cup, which he continued to nervously spin. He froze, stopping his motion and glaring at me, his indifferent mask slamming back down into place.

“Not at all. I have other shit to do. Like I said, I’m in the area for another job. Keeping an eye on your little craft project isn’t even considered work,” he insisted.

Oh, so that’s how we were going to play it?

“Whatever you decide to do. It doesn’t matter to me,” I ended with, swiping my empty cup and standing. Our chairs squeaked in unison as we pushed them back, giving each other curt nods.

“Gluttony is asking about you,” he continued casually, though the statement was anything but.

“I know,” I bit back. I hated being nagged like a child. “I’m on my way to see him next, actually.”

Envy put a hand behind his head. “Right. Good.”

The awkwardness grew. We each hated public displays. I held out my hand as a peace offering.

He snorted and grabbed me for an embrace, bending me forward and mussing my hair.

“Loosen up. Hades is making you too serious. Hell, have a fucking party down there if you can. I’d come.”

I straightened, a snarl on my face. He only pulled this shit when we were surrounded by humans, because he knew I wouldn’t retaliate. He was physically superior as a trained assassin and tracker, but my magick was well above his. If we all seriously went at it, we’d destroy a city.

We’d done so before.

“Goodbye.”

I turned around curtly and walked out of the shop, trying to regulate my emotions. I’d been a mess lately–ever since I’d laid eyes on her...onHazel. I’d snooped her notes from Janine, greedily taking in everything I could about her.

Which wasn’t much.

It was tempting to send Envy on a mission to check out the werewolf pack she’d been staying with, and even the ass who’d try to do her in. Yet, I didn’t want to push too much, or be tooobvious. But if I did, Envy might take the initiative to do it all himself.

Envy was such a bitch.

So was I.

Our sins were our greatest joys and our greatest sorrows.

Regardless, I had eyes on Hazel. Envy was hooked, I was sure of it. If only to simply sniff around what I was interested in, I knew he’d stay around for a little while longer.

A man bumped into my shoulder, not noticing as he was so engrossed in his mobile device. Glancing around, the crowd around me standing at the corner had every nose buried in their phones. This time I did roll my eyes, since there was no one to notice.

I disappeared in plain sight.

Humans.

I rematerialized in a manor that was something out of a fever dream. The parlor I stood in could have been lifted straight from Versailles, complete with Baroque-style art and period correct furniture.

Leaving behind ‘La Révolution,’’ I stepped into a hallway in stark contrast to the stuffy parlor with its art deco decor. The black and white tiles under my feet marked my progress. I knew from childhood how many of those tiny tiles would take me to Gluttony’s office, and his private parlor. As the eldest brother, it had fallen to him to shoulder not only our father’s sin, but also managing the rest of us.

Forty-one thousand, three hundred and seventeen in total.

It seemed like a lot, but each tile mattered when you were on your way to have your ass chewed out.