Free Tell by Allison Merritt Page A

days.” He smiled, but it was as forced as the wink he’d given Wystan. “You all right here?”
    She shoved the material onto the sewing machine stand. Her stool squeaked as she spun, then held up her hands. “Material sprung straight from the Devil’s loins.” Her hands were rough, chapped and bright red.
    â€œWhat the hell are you using it for, then? Get rid of it.” He stepped closer. “I don’t care what it’s made from—it wasn’t worth the money you paid for it.”
    She flinched when he took one her hands between his. “Can I tell you something?”
    â€œAre we alone?”
    â€œYes. I sent the ladies home with some simple sewing. I didn’t want them here to see this.”
    He nodded. “Good. I have something to say too.”
    Her brow furrowed. “More bad news?”
    â€œNothin’ good.”
    â€œOh, Tell.” She leaned against him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “What’s happened now?”
    Her embrace gave him the strength to get the story out. He explained about Jeffrey. Her eyes widened behind her spectacles and her face reddened with every word he spoke.
    â€œThat-that…asshole. How dare he think he can threaten you? How dare he think I would agree to see him again after something like this? I’ll murder him myself. I’ll choke him with this horrible dreadnaught.” She lifted a corner of the cloth. “I think you were well within your rights to set him on fire, no matter what your brothers say. That despicable man. Why, if I wasn’t a lady, I’d set his house ablaze.”
    It was touching that she wanted to kill for him. He sure didn’t deserve that kind of loyalty. “They’ll take care of him. Don’t worry. He won’t put a toe out of line when they get done with him.” He wished he felt as confident as he sounded. “What were you going to tell me?”
    Her fierce expression fell. “It’s not important right now. It can wait.”
    â€œI’m always here to listen to you, Princess. You can talk to me about anything.” He lowered himself to one knee so they were eye level. “C’mon, tell your old buddy.”
    She sighed and her shoulders slumped. “Meacham brought me the dreadnaught cloth.”
    â€œYep, seems like something he’d find. It’s just as revolting as he is.”
    She lifted a scrap between her fingers. “Try to set it on fire.”
    He shrugged. The snap of fire started in his chest and pushed through to his fingertips. When he held them up to the cloth, the smallest flame lit from his pointer finger. “Huh. That’s not what usually happens.”
    He lifted his finger higher, holding it beneath the cloth. It remained undamaged, but every bit as ugly as before. “Fireproof?”
    â€œSupposedly resistant to anything that can damage it. It’s taking a toll on my sewing machine.” She glared at the little scrap. “Meacham insists I make garments out of it anyway.”
    â€œWhy?” Not that a fire-resistant coat wouldn’t come in handy.
    â€œTo save your brothers and our family from you.” She laid the cloth aside and put her hands in her lap. “He says you’re going to accept your demon side and destroy Berner. Not only Berner, but everything.”
    Tell’s stomach flipped. “Meacham said that, huh?”
    Sylvie nodded. “He came in with a big crate of dreadnaught yesterday morning and showed me a vision of the future. I told him I don’t believe it, but…how can I ignore what he wants me to do when I have the material on hand?”
    He bowed his head. He’d never known Meacham to be wrong about a vision or prophecy. “Listen to him. Better safe than sorry.”
    â€œI don’t mean to hurt your feelings. I know you can’t help what you are. I don’t care about your demon blood. You know that,