24

“So... are you close to Brandon?” I ask.

“Very. We all used to hang out together. My brothers and Elga as well.”

“I hadn’t heard that before.”

“Brandon and his family always lived here in Manhattan. They used to have a small house in Queens, and we moved there too for a brief time. But then we all moved back to Athens when Aunt Grethe and Elga passed away. Since Brandon needed someone at his side, Oliver and Cassius stayed with him here. Then he inherited this mansion.”

I nod. “Is it all right if I ask you something else?”

“Shoot.”

“I heard of this rule, that women in the family should only marry someone from these other two families—I’ve forgotten the names.”

She nodded. “Stavros and Dragoumis. I’m surprised you know this. That could be my fate too, even though I’m adopted. What about them, anyway?”

“Did Brandon’s mother marry someone else?”

“You are very perceptive, Alayna. Well, yes, our family has always been complicated. Our grandfather cut his ties with Aunt Grethe when she marr