Assistant to the Villain

Trystan’s history with Malcolm is characterized by violent interactions and disagreements. This time, his temper gets the better of him, and he almost kills Malcolm before Evie suggests that he not do so in front of a room full of witnesses. Malcolm leads them to a back room while Evie yells at Trystan for not telling her that he has a brother. The ensuing banter makes Trystan laugh and feel as though a spell of intimacy has been cast between them.

Malcolm claims to know nothing about the bomb, but Trystan doesn’t believe him. Instead of intimidating Malcolm, Evie appeals to his humanity, explaining the bomb would have killed her and left her family with no provider. Last week, a man talked Malcolm into selling one of his bomb timer clocks while Malcolm was drunk, and the only thing he remembers is the glowing blue ink on the man’s hands. Evie realizes that whoever tried to kill Trystan was willing to use his brother to do it. That night, she lies awake and wonders whether the unknown assailant would try to use her to strike at Trystan.