Inked

counter. “Here’s your brandy. Why don’t you let the lady go?”
    Without missing a beat, the dark man said, “Mind your business, barkeep. She’s a grown woman. She’ll tell me if she wants me to leave her alone.”
    I didn’t move.
    “Camille, please , I need to talk to you.” Jahn gave me a strained look and I reluctantly broke away. In a fog, I followed him to the end of the counter.
    “That’s the man who helped me out. Do you know him?”
    “Oh, lovely.” Jahn narrowed his eyes. “Not by name, but he’s a Svartan. Surely you know what that means, girl.”
    I frowned, thinking for a moment, then understanding broke through. A Svartan …one of the Charming Fae, as cunning in nature as they are sexual. As predatory as they are suave.
    “I didn’t realize…” I glanced back at the man, who raised his snifter in salute, then took a long, slow sip.
    Jahn let out a little groan. “Girl, promise me you aren’t going to sleep with him. Please? Even if you don’t sleep with me, for the love of the gods, do not get mixed up with the likes of him.”
    I listened to what he was saying. I really did. But the entire time, my gaze was fastened on the Svartan. After a moment, I let out a little sigh. Roche wasn’t here and he wasn’t going to come. Not tonight. Another wild-goose chase. Another black mark against my name.
    “I think I’d better go home for the night,” I said, feeling defeated. “Thank you, Jahn, for everything.”
    As I gathered my purse and turned to go, I realized that I couldn’t just leave it at that. Feeling Jahn’s disapproving stare follow me, I walked back to the Svartan and deliberately laid one hand on his arm.
    He glanced down at my hand, then up to meet my eyes. “Yes?”
    “Camille te Maria. I’m in here a lot. Next time—and I trust there will be a next time—ask before you intervene.” I sauntered toward the curtains cordoning off the exit, then paused in midstep to call over my shoulder. “Remember, stranger. You still owe me your name.”
    As I swept out the door, I could feel him watching me. But I didn’t look back.

    “WHAT do you know about the Svartans?” I asked my father that evening after dinner.
    Sephreh ob Tanu jerked his head up from where he was polishing his dress sword, his brow lined, a worried look in his eyes. They reflected the violet of my own, and his hair was the same color as mine—raven black and woven in a shoulder-length braid. I took after him. My sister Delilah took after our mother—golden-haired and tanned, and Menolly…well, no one knew where her burnished copper locks came from.
    “What have you gone and done now?” He sounded positively overjoyed. Not .
    I shrugged. Father was cagey. I’d have to walk softly because I could already sense the storm brewing in his voice.
    “I saw one in the club tonight.” With a little luck, Jahn wouldn’t breathe a word to Father about my interaction with Tall, Dark, and Dangerous. He’d keep his mouth shut because he’d be too afraid I’d mention his offer, and we both knew my father well enough to know just how that would go over. Old friends don’t fuck other friends’ daughters. At least not without permission.
    With a look that said I know you’re up to something but I don’t know what, Father shook his head. “Leave the man alone. They’re all a bunch of perverts. You know the city of Svartalfheim rests in the Subterranean Realms.”
    “I’ve heard rumors about the entire city migrating back to Otherworld.”
    “ Wonderful. That’s just what we need. If they do, I’ll guarantee they’ll bring a host of demons swarming with them.”
    “The demons can’t get through the portals,” I said. “They’re barred.”
    “So they say, but I’m not too sure about that.” He grunted, then after a moment, cleared his throat. “Your sister Delilah needs to start dressing like a lady, at least for your aunt Olanda’s visit. Take her shopping. Get her out of trousers and tunics, please.” He gave me the once-over. “You’re fine. Menolly, too. But…”
    “Delilah’s a tomboy and you know it,” I said, laughing. “Those dresses will last a couple of days and then you’ll never see them again. But yeah, I’ll add that to my to-do list.”
    Father put down his sword and leaned back in his chair, crossing his right leg across his left. He was a handsome man, looking barely older than the three of us. Full-blooded Fae, he would age far slower than we until we