Page 22 of Rule the Night (Blackwell Butchers #1)

MAEVE

Little bird.

I didn’t love the nickname. Birds were skittish. They flew away when startled, avoided danger, hid in trees.

That wasn’t me. Well, maybe it had been, once upon a time. But I couldn’t afford to avoid danger now, not if I wanted justice for June.

Don’t bring me into this. This is your thing.

I’d started hearing June’s voice in my head during her funeral.

She’d thought the whole thing was hilarious, boring and cliche, and I’d spent the entirety of the day listening to her criticize everyone’s outfits, marvel over the quantity of food at the wake, and tell me it was silly for everyone to be so sad because she was fine, really.

Now before you think I’m crazy, let me just say that I know it wasn’t really June’s voice in my head. It was just my mind, making her up to keep me from feeling too sad.

But her voice had never left, and even though it was kind of insane, I’d gotten used to it. The voice made me feel closer to her. Like she wasn’t really gone. Like she was with me everywhere all the time.

I probably needed therapy, but that was another problem for another time, after I’d gotten justice for June.

I followed Poe down the hall on the second floor where there was a huge workout room, hot tub, and steam room, plus a library and one guest room.

Poe didn’t stop there, so I assumed it wasn’t for me.

We used a second spiral staircase at the back of the hall to reach the third floor and walked past a series of closed doors, which Poe said were the bedrooms belonging to him, Remy, and Bram.

At the end of the hall was the last bedroom.

Poe opened the door and stood back to let me enter.

I caught the scent of him again, the same scent I’d smelled when he’d been so close in the tunnels — sweat and trees.

It did all kinds of weird things to my body, and I hurried past him, careful not to brush against his body as I entered the bedroom.

It was a large room, with two of the big factory windows on one wall next to a door like the one that led to the balcony in the living room. The bed was sleek and modern, with a rich wood headboard and built-in nightstands on either side.

There was no TV, but there was a sitting area with a small sofa and coffee table and what looked like a walk-in closet. I assumed the closed door next to the closet led to a private bathroom.

At least I hoped so.

“Sheets and towels are clean,” Poe said, hovering by the door. “You have a balcony in this room, but you share it with Bram. I share one with Remy on the other side of the hall.”

I glanced nervously at the door, wondering if it locked.

“You worried about Bram or someone else?” Poe asked, clocking my gaze.

“Just… you know, security in general.”

From the knowing glint in his blue eyes, I was pretty sure he didn’t buy it. The last thing I needed — the last thing I wanted — was a midnight visit from the monster named Bram.

June’s laughter echoed in my mind. Keep telling yourself that, M.

“The balcony door locks,” Poe said, “but you might be more comfortable with the door open until it cools down. We designed the place to be energy efficient but it can still get warm.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” No way was I unlocking that door knowing I shared a balcony with Bram.

“You hungry?” Poe asked. “I’m not much of a cook, but I could throw together a sandwich or something.”

I shook my head. “I’m just tired.”

He nodded. “It’s been a long night, a long day. You should sleep.”

I hesitated, afraid to ask the question that had been beating in my mind.

Afraid to know the answer.

“Why am I here?”

“You lost the Hunt.”

“Yeah, I get that part,” I said. “I just mean, why am I here? What do you want me to do?”

“There are a lot of things I want you to do.” His voice was low and suggestive, and a shiver ran up my spine. “But let’s start with the cooking.”

“The… cooking?” It wasn’t what I’d expected.

“Our housekeeper is a terrible cook, and the only thing Remy cooks is health food.” He headed for the door. “Get some sleep.”