Page 27 of Cocktails & Cauldrons

She didn’t bother to deny she cared about Eoin. Alastair had read her like an open book since they first met. “I don’t want him hurt in all of this. He’s been nice to me.”

Covering her hand with his, Alastair gave her a quick squeeze, then released her. “We’ll make this right, my dear. Never fear.”

Across the room, Eoin poured tea for the room’s occupants, a dark frown on his face.

“Does he hate me, do you think?” she whispered.

“No, Brenna. I don’t think he hates you in the least.” Alastair followed her gaze. “Based on the scene at the gallery, I think he was enchanted by you long before hearing you sing.”

CHAPTER 11

By the time Eoin removed the pan from the oven, he still hadn’t wrapped his head around the fact Brenna was a Siren.

A Siren!

Jaysus! And hadn’t he guessed it on the plane ride over without ever truly believing it?

But when she sang, her appearance had altered to such a degree that he could say, in all honesty, he’d never seen anything or anyone as beautiful. That vision would stay with him forever, and whether she wanted him to or not, he intended to paint her like that. If only to get the image out of his head so it would stop haunting him.

He snuck a glance her way, only to find her watching him with trepidation. After sending her a faux reassuring smile, he plated the scones, grabbed a crock of clotted cream along with the jam, and set the items in the center of the table for all to feast. He was careful to stay a safe distance from Brenna so he wouldn’t cause her discomfort—nor his own. Though his was vastly different from hers, to be sure.

“It’s getting late,” Bridget said. “Alastair, I don’t have a spare room at the moment, but I’m sure you’d prefer to go home, allthe same.” She wasn’t kicking him out, simply letting him know morning came early at the Black Cat and, with it, her need to get up and care for her guests. Despite their problems, the business always came first with Bridget.

“Have I worn out my welcome?” Alastair asked dryly.

“You know you haven’t, Al.” She grinned and patted his shoulder. “But I also know Rorie, and she’ll be wanting her man back before too long.”

“True enough, but not before I sample some of these.” He nodded toward the food. “And not before we make a plan going forward. Brenna can’t continue on like this. There’s no telling what the outcome of such a spell might be. And for once, I’m cautious about battling an unknown elemental like Odessa. I’ve never encountered a Succubus, and I don’t know if the rules are different.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Thorne.” With her arms wrapped around her middle, Brenna looked as if she was trying to avoid touching anyone. Her overall demeanor was small and apologetic, and Eoin’s heart broke for her.

“Sure, and you’ve nothing to apologize for, love,” he told her. “Not for whatever curse you activated when you opened the case. Not for the gifts you were born with.Nothing.” If he was a little overly emphatic, well, it was mainly because he hated to see her suffering needlessly and torturing herself for things beyond her control.

“I agree, child.” Alastair’s tone was not unkind. “The emotions I’m sensing from you are concern, wariness, guilt… to name a few. One would question what you have to feel guilty about. The concern for the situation and wariness of strangers, yes. If you’re not culpable in this little game of your aunt’s, you shouldn’t experience guilt or apologize for things beyond your control.”

“I didn’t intend to bring trouble to anyone.” She shook her head, and her arms tightened around her middle as she hugged herself.

For Eoin, who grew up with a family’s love, it was hard to imagine a life without it. Hard to imagine a life of solitude and rejection. Hard to believe someone could feel so unworthy of love and help as Brenna did now. She didn’t lack confidence in herself or her abilities; she simply lacked faith that anyone cared about her or those abilities.

“It’ll be all right, love. Sure, and we’ll get it sorted, sooner rather than later, yeah?”

“Eoin, I didn’t mean to lay all this on your doorstep. I—”

He held up a hand. “Stop right there, Brenna Sullivan. If you’re after tellin’ me you intend to run back to your aunt with your tail between your legs, then I’m after tellin’ you that you can forget all about it. You’ve committed to working for me, and I intend to hold ya to that commitment, I do.” He smiled to take the sting from his words. “It’ll be grand, love. You wait and see.”

Why he was fighting so hard on her behalf when he didn’t truly know her bothered him. Yet he knew he needed to because no one else would.

He shot a side glance at Alastair.

Well, perhaps the Thornes would. They never shied away from a battle in their lives, and they tended to get to the bottom of things. But had Brenna not entered Alastair Thorne’s orbit, she’d have been left to flounder and probably been burned for it. Literally and figuratively.

“I need to be getting back. And I’m sorry I couldn’t put you up, tonight, Eoin.” Carrick rose to his feet and placed a hand on Eoin’s shoulder. “Since Aeden’s recovery, he’s all about the sleepovers, and there are kids everywhere.”

“Oh! I’m putting you out!” Brenna’s expression was one of distress.

“I’ll make other arrangements,” Eoin told her. “Sure, and there’s no need for you to come undone over where I’ll be restin’ my head tonight.”

Her dark brows clashed together, and she opened her mouth, only to quickly close it again and compress her lips together.

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