Page 3 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

But there they are, copper curls bouncing as they descend. Nova clutches her favorite blanket, the one with stars embroidered on the edges. Luna leads the way, her violet eyes fixed on our visitor.

"Wait-" I reach to stop them, but they slip past my grasp.

Luna touches the woman's skirt, leaving a sparkly handprint on the wet fabric. "Your hair looks like night sky."

Nova stretches up on tiptoes, offering her blanket. "You're cold."

The woman freezes, water dripping onto my floor. Her green eyes dart between the girls, then to me. I brace for her to bolt.

Instead, her lips curve up. Not the practiced smile of someone humoring children, but something real that transforms her whole face. "Thank you, little one." She accepts the blanket with trembling fingers.

Luna tugs at her sleeve - thankfully not the one covering the branded wrist. "I can make your dress dry. Watch!"

Purple light swirls around the woman's skirt. I step forward, ready to contain whatever chaos my niece conjures, but the magic settles gentle as morning dew. The fabric lightens as water lifts away in glittering drops.

"Me too!" Nova waves her hands, and the woman's dark hair untangles itself, drying into soft waves.

The twins beam up at her, pride shining in their matching violet eyes. They haven't smiled like that since the accident - not that pure, unguarded joy that used to light up every room.

"You have beautiful magic," the woman says softly, kneeling between them. Luna immediately starts playing with her now-dry hair while Nova wraps the star blanket around her shoulders.

My chest aches watching them. These girls who barely speak to strangers, who cling to my legs when anyone visits the shop, now fussing over this woman like a new doll.

"What's your name?" she asks, looking between the two girls.

"Luna!" my niece shouts.

Her sister answers at nearly the same time, "Nova!"

The woman smiles, and I'm stunned by her. Who could look this good in a torn dress and rain-soaked hair? Apparently, her.

"I'm Mira," she tells them. "I was just coming into the shop for a few things…"

Her words trail off as her eyes lift to me, and I pray to the Seven that I'm not about to make a huge mistake.

2

MIRA

Ihold my breath, waiting for the demon to grab me, to call the authorities. Instead, he watches the twins with an expression I've never seen on a demon before - something almost... gentle.

"They like you." His deep voice breaks the silence. He runs a hand through his copper-red hair, loosening strands from the leather tie. "Haven't taken to anyone like that since their mother passed."

I keep my eyes down, hands trembling. "I should go-"

"You're running from someone." Not a question. At first, I think he's referencing my earlier comment, but then his violet eyes flick to my wrist where the brand stands stark against my skin. I tug my sleeve down.

"I won't cause trouble. Please, just let me-"

"I need help with them." He gestures to the twins, who are now attempting to climb up my skirts like a tree. "Can't run a forge and watch two toddlers. Been trying, but..." He shrugs those broad shoulders, burn scars visible on his forearms. "Stay. Help me with them. In exchange, you'll have sanctuary here."

My head snaps up. "What?"

"Room, board, protection. Whatever you're running from won't find you."

It has to be a trap. Demons don't help humans without ulterior motives. I've learned that lesson well enough. "Why would you-"

"Because they need someone." He kneels down, gently detaching Nova from my skirt. "And you need somewhere to hide."

---