Page 1 of The Imp Act

CHAPTER ONE

ENZO

It’s never a good sign when Mother summons us all home to the compound. It’s one thing if it’s a holiday or major family event. But when we’re called in for no clear reason? It’s worrying. At least for me, as the only remaining unmarried child. My three sisters all married years ago, and have done a good job producing grandchildren. I’d hoped that would keep my mother distracted indefinitely.

But it seems my luck might have finally run out.

When I arrive at the compound, Mother is sitting in the garden with my sisters Ravenna, Elena, and Sienna. Their husbands are no doubt inside, tending to the children and preparing lunch, as is custom for male imps. I’ve never particularly minded living in a matriarchal society, because it never especially affected me.

I have a feeling that’s about to change.

But despite my mother’s probable plans for me, I have no intention of becoming some sort of house husband.

I step into the garden and into her sights, trying to keep my cool.

“Enzo,” Mother says when she spots me, one dark eyebrow raised. “Thank you for finally joining us.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I’m not late; I simply didn’t get here early like my overachieving sisters. Instead, I lean forward and kiss Mother on the cheek. “Looking ravishing, as always,” I tell her as I slide into my seat. When it comes to Mother, charm is usually the best offenseanddefense.

“Mmm-hmm,” she says, sipping her lemonade. “Do you know why I’ve called you here?” she asks.

“No idea,” I say. “But it’s a beautiful spring day, you have fresh lemonade, and the azaleas are blooming wildly, so I shall assume you asked me here to enjoy a nice lunch.” My mother’s gardens are majestic, full of flowers and fountains. She loves the garden more than she loves any of us, that’s for sure. I unfurl my napkin with a flourish, feeling a bit like a matador facing off against an angry bull.

“Enzo,” Mother says, voice dripping with sternness, “it’s time for you to grow up. Settle down.”

My stomach lurches, but I keep my expression calm. “Get a real job?” I tease, pouring my own lemonade. There’s a position waiting for me in the family company if I ever want it. But it’s never been important; between my days helping the family and my nights having fun, there’s no time to bother with a career.

“It’s time for you to get married,” she says, firing a bullet straight into my playboy heart.

Well, damn. There it is.

I drop all pretense of a casual lunch and frown at her.

“Mother,” I protest. “I’m only thirty-two. I have years to find a wife. And besides, as soon as I get married, I’ll have to take care of my own family. Who will look after the kids?”

As the only single male in the family, I’m the designated babysitter for most events, which is fine by me. Hanging out with my gaggle of nieces and nephews beats attending stuffy societyevents any day. Mother is obsessed with our appearance in imp society, which means she attends pretty much every event there is. She can’t seem to grasp that I don’t give a shit about it. In fact, the more I can tarnish my reputation, the happier I’ll be. It’s what originally drove me to spend all my free evenings sampling the clubs of Monstrocity.

“Their fathers will,” she says, wholly unamused. She lifts her phone from the table and swipes open the photos app. “Here are some pictures of eligible ladies who would make appropriate matches. Scroll through them and see who you like.”

She has to be kidding.

I ignore the phone. “Mother, no. I’m not picking a bride off of a list.” I don’t even have to look to see who’s made the cut. It will be a bunch of dull, rich, imp girls who aspire to become my mother. The same girls I avoid at society events. Hard pass. Besides, it would be nice to actuallymeetmy future wife before I decide to marry her.

“Enzo.” Her face and voice are as hard as stone. “You have three months to find a suitable wife. Or else I’ll find one for you. This is not up for debate or discussion, you understand?”

“And if I don’t?”

She purses her lips, as if she sucked on one of the lemons in her glass. “You know the rules. If you fail to comply, you lose your inheritance, your allowance, your place at the company. You’ll be exiled from this family and imp society. I’ll take back your penthouse and your beach house. You’ll be left withnothing.”

I stare at her, and she softens, just a touch. “Enzo, darling, this is for your own good. I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m trying tohelpyou.”

What a joke. There’s no winning with this ultimatum. Either way, I have to give up the life I love. And what’s with the threatsabout my houses? I bought those when I came into my trust. Can she somehow revoke that?

I stand and toss my napkin on the table. “Yeah, well, you can keep your help to yourself. If I get married, it’ll be to someone I choose.”

She shrugs. “Very well. But be warned, if I get even a whiff that the marriage isn’t real, I’ll stand by my threat.”

I shake my head. How am I related to this woman? “Whatever. I’m going to visit the members of this family who actually enjoy my company.” I include my sisters in my glare; not one of them spoke up for me. They’re all so cowed by Mother, it would never occur to them to stand up to her.

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