Eban by Allison Merritt

into his voice.
    Wystan sighed. “Actually, I did run into a couple and they weren’t up to any good.” He laid his hand over his bowie knife. “Blood was spilled, but Santa Fe’s streets are safer tonight.”
    â€œDid Rhia see it?”
    He shook his head. “She doesn’t know. I’d like to keep it that way.”
    â€œI suppose I have to thank you for pushing the idea on Tell and…not beheading me.” Eban shifted in his seat.
    â€œWhat you did was selfish and dangerous. You could have done something wrong and gotten yourself killed. If Eliakim hadn’t realized there was a treaty between the Gray Side and Heaven, he might have slaughtered the entire town.” Wystan’s cool blue gaze hardened. “Even you and Tell couldn’t have held him off.”
    â€œI know,” Eban muttered.
    â€œBut I understand what you’re thinking. Beryl’s special and she deserves the right to live out her natural life without a demon hounding her. I don’t like Rosemar any more than you.”
    â€œTell thought you’d agree with him.” Eban picked at his thumbnail, avoiding Wystan’s gaze.
    â€œHe’s a smart kid, but he doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does.” Wystan shuffled some papers on his desk. “You know Rhia and I are happy? This isn’t the ideal place for a man and a woman to raise a family or grow old together, but we’re going to do the best we can.”
    Eban glared at his thumb. “Yeah.”
    â€œSomeday you’ll find happiness. If we survive this. Maybe with Beryl, maybe with another woman, but I’m asking you to be happy for us. I never meant to steal her away from you. I never meant to fall in love. It’s one of those things that happens like seasons changing.”
    Eban looked up. “That’s pathetic.”
    Jealousy nagged at his heart, but it was tempered by disbelief.
    Wystan turned his hands palms up. “I love her.”
    â€œI mean, it’s pathetic that you’re talking like that. For as long as I can remember, you walked around town with a scowl and a glare. Now you’re spouting romantic words.” He shook his head. “I think there might be a parasite in your head.”
    â€œLove does strange things to a person.” Wystan folded his hands over his stomach. “Stop looking at Beryl and seeing a friend. She’s a pretty girl.”
    Eban swallowed the knot growing in his throat. “Even if that was the case, what if I can’t save her?”
    â€œYou didn’t quit when you said you couldn’t save her the first time.”
    â€œThat was different.” He braced his feet against the floor. “There was a clear and obvious solution for that. Science and medicine, not archaic drawings and chanting.”
    Wystan stood, then strapped his bowie knife to his hip. It looked out of place with his fancy clothes.
    â€œWe’ve never had experience with this. Probably something easy behind it too.”
    â€œNothing’s easy when it comes to us.”
    His brother grinned. “You got that right. Most complicated sons of bitches in New Mexico Territory.” The grin faded. “You keep believing we can do this. Don’t give up yet.”
    While he’d hoped Wystan might be more reasonable than Tell, he hadn’t expected it. In the last few weeks, Wystan’s temper had mellowed. It was almost frightening. They probably wouldn’t find a solution to rid themselves of Rosemar, but the fact that Wys was willing to allow a consultation with three powerful demons meant a lot to Eban.
    They’d have to be careful to keep Rosemar from getting wind of it. She’d do everything in her power—not to mention Seere’s—to prevent her banishment. Eban tugged at his shirt collar as he followed Wystan out of the office. They had no choice but to keep Beryl in the dark as well. She already knew