Assistant to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 13
Overview
Trystan confronts his brother Malcolm at the tavern, using his dark magic to nearly kill him before Evie's calming touch pulls him back. Malcolm denies involvement with the bomb, and the group moves to a private room to talk. Evie's anger at Trystan for withholding Malcolm's identity gives way to playful banter that draws a rare laugh from The Villain, and Malcolm pointedly observes that Trystan's growing attachment to his assistant is undeniable.
Summary
The chapter opens from Trystan's (The Villain's) perspective as he confronts his brother Malcolm, the tavern owner, whom he now suspects of being responsible for the bomb planted in his office. Their history is volatile—Trystan once tried to stab Malcolm with a spear—and the tension is immediate. Malcolm deflects with humor, asking if Trystan brought a spear, while Trystan makes pointed comments about Malcolm's clock-making skills, signaling he knows about the explosive device's origins.
Malcolm denies involvement, but Trystan's dark magic activates, scanning his brother's body for weak points—an old knee injury that could cause permanent pain and the kill spot at his jugular. Trystan internally reflects on why he brought Evie along: she steadies him, making him more strategic and less impulsive. Her lack of visible fear disarms him enough to release his invisible magical hold on Malcolm, who collapses to his knees, gasping and realizing Trystan nearly killed him.
When Malcolm shoves Trystan and Trystan raises a fist, Evie intervenes by wrapping her hand around his fist and calmly suggesting he not commit murder in a room full of witnesses. Her touch sends an electric sensation through him, and her gentle thumb stroke over his hand nearly buckles his knees. Shaken, Trystan pulls away and asks Malcolm for a private place to talk.
Evie insists on joining the private conversation, revealing genuine anger that Trystan withheld Malcolm's identity from her. Their argument dissolves into banter when Trystan distinguishes between lying and withholding truth, and Evie teases him about having "fairy king fantasies." This provokes a rare, genuine laugh from Trystan—something so uncommon it surprises even him. Evie's delight at making him laugh creates a charged, intimate moment between them.
As they move through the kitchen to a back room, Malcolm privately observes to Trystan that he laughed, and bluntly tells him he's "fucked." Trystan shoves his brother into the doorway and tells him to shut up, following Evie with her cloak draped over his arm.
Who Appears
- Trystan Maverine (The Villain)Confronts his brother Malcolm, nearly kills him with dark magic, but is calmed by Evie's touch and drawn into rare laughter by her banter.
- Evie SageIntervenes to stop Trystan from killing Malcolm, expresses genuine anger at being kept in the dark, and disarms Trystan with humor and warmth.
- MalcolmTrystan's estranged brother and tavern owner; suspected of supplying the bomb's clockwork. Denies involvement and observes Trystan's attachment to Evie.