“You know, wiping down equipment, washing and replenishing towels. Basic stuff like that.” He won’t look at me, no matter how hard I stare at him. Is he for real, or is this all another way of making a fool out of me? Making sure I’m with them as much as possible so they can terrorize and use me?

No way am I doing this. “Uh, I don’t know,” I murmur.

“It’s perfect!” Mom clasps her hands over her chest and almost bats her eyelashes at the two of them. “You are the most wonderful young men. Considering how amazing your father is, I suppose it’s not that big of a surprise you turned out so well.” Clearly, she does not know them at all.

Then she turns to me, her smile fixed, her eyes glittering. “Right, honey? And it’ll be a way for you to spend more time getting to know your new brothers.”

“We’ll be sure to take good care of her,” Nix interjects. When I glance his way, I find him smirking.

“Sure,” I mutter, shrugging. “Sounds great.” Because right now, the alternative to spending more time with these two is infuriating my mother, and sadly, I’d rather deal with them than have her find little ways of making my life even harder every day.

CHAPTER 10

“You look beautiful, Mom.” I stand back from the three-way mirror, where my mother studies her reflection, wearing the wedding dress that some poor seamstress has probably worked herself blind to fit in time for this last-minute wedding. But they did a good job. It fits her like a glove, and she looks regal, classy. Whoever made it must be a magician, in other words.

“So long as I hardly eat another bite in the next two days,” she says with a laugh I know is meant more for the store clerk arranging the short train behind her. She doesn’t shine that bright, brilliant smile on me.

And it’s like she hears me thinking because she catches my eye in the mirror. “Why haven’t you tried your dress on yet?”

“Sorry. I got distracted watching you.” There’s a curtained-off room behind me, and the violet dress is on a hanger, waiting for me to put it on. I step into the little cubby, and I’m glad for a minute’s privacy as I strip out of my clothes and lower the dress over my head. It’s pretty, and a lot like Mom’s, with the sleek, slim cut and soft satin.

All is well until I turn around and look over my shoulder to see the back. “Mom?” I call out, staring at my reflection. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can wear this.”