Dawn of Eve, MJ Howson [lightweight ebook reader TXT] 📗

Janet reached across the counter and took Dawn by her hands, running her thumbs against Dawn’s palms. She said, “And she chose you. Fate brought you here.”

“Fate.” Dawn’s tension and puzzlement drained away as Janet massaged her hands. She thought back to the first time she came to the store and how Janet told her no one had ever been able to take Eve home. Dawn asked, “Is that why I can hear her?”

“You hear her?” Janet let go of Dawn and stood upright, obviously startled. She took a small step back, her jaw agape. “You . . . you hear Eve?”

“Yes. At first, I thought it was just a voice in my dreams. But then I started hearing her while awake.”

“Really?”

“We talk now. All the time.” Dawn nodded and then frowned. “Although she doesn’t always tell me what I want to hear. She’s a bit . . . bossy, too.”

Janet covered her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. She said, “I knew you were the one.”

“So, she’s safe? Eve?”

“She’s with you now. Don’t you understand? You must protect her.”

“Protect her? How?” Dawn bit her upper lip and shook her head. “If anything, Eve’s the strong one. She’s been trying to protect me.”

“Eve was always the strongest of the seven. She’ll keep you safe. As long as you do the same.” Janet walked around the counter and put a comforting hand on Dawn’s shoulder. “Remember, Dawn, she chose you. She’s your responsibility now.”

“She’s my world. Trust me. I take the best care of her.” Dawn suddenly regretted not bringing Eve with her. “Eve gives me the best advice. She makes me believe in myself, you know?”

“I’m not surprised. Of all the wonders in this store, Eve is the most powerful. She’ll always take care of you.”

“I believe that.” Dawn slid the diary into her pocket and smiled. She thought back to the recent confrontation with Gwen on the High Line. “She gives me strength. Confidence.”

Janet nodded, her eyes moist with tears. Leo walked up to Janet and ran his nose against her arm. He began to purr as Janet stroked his neck.

Dawn looked around Zuni, taking in the paintings, sculptures, furniture, clothing, candles, and assorted knick-knacks. She glanced at Leo and smiled, remembering how he brought her here. Although Janet hadn’t fully explained what happened to Eve, Dawn felt like she knew enough. Eve was hers, and she was Eve’s. That’s really all that mattered now.

“I should probably get back to her,” Dawn said. She walked to the door, stopped, and looked back at Janet. “Thank you. I promise to always protect Eve.”

“Thank you, Dawn. And good luck. To both of you.” Janet picked up Leo and kissed the cat’s head. “I hope to see you again. Remember, there are many treasures to be discovered here.”

Dawn left the store and ascended the stone steps to Charles Street. She paused at the top of the stairs and took a deep breath as she pondered everything Janet had told her. The cold December air seared its way into her lungs, invigorating her.

The walk home from the West Village was cold and windy, but Dawn didn’t mind. She took her time, rereading sections of Eve’s diary as she strolled the High Line back to the Spire. The people rambling along around her suddenly seemed so happy to Dawn. Even the ones with their heads down who didn’t acknowledge her. All Dawn could see now was joy wherever she looked. Knowing that Eve was safe, but also hers to care for, gave Dawn a sense of peace.

Dawn slid the diary into her pocket as she rode the express elevator to her apartment. The higher she rose, the more excited she became. Dawn knew Eve would be there waiting for her. Suddenly she felt like her life had purpose again.

Dawn entered her apartment, relishing the warmth that greeted her.

“Evelyn, turn on the fireplace,” Dawn said.

“Turning on the fireplace,” the voice assistant responded.

Dawn removed her coat and boots as the glass fireplace sparked to life. Although desperate for a cup of coffee, she couldn’t wait to see Eve and tell her what happened at the store.

Dawn hurried up the spiral staircase to the nursery. The curtains were still closed, and the nightlight’s rainbow of nebulas cascaded across the ceiling and walls. She tiptoed to the crib to find Eve right where she’d left her, wrapped in the blanket, her eyes closed. Dawn gently scooped Eve into her embrace and went to the rocking chair.

“It’s just the two of us now,” Dawn whispered. She sat down and began to slowly rock back and forth. Dawn gently twirled the tattered bow in Eve’s hair between her fingers. “No more Jacob or the doctor. I still can’t believe all that time I wasted on them.” Dawn let go of Eve’s bow and let her hand cup the doll’s head. “All those therapy sessions. And those pills he forced on me! Jacob, acting like he didn’t know my doctor.” The chair creaked louder as Dawn thrust the balls of her feet deeper into the carpet. “They tried to make a fool of me. I’m done with them, Eve.” The tips of her nails whitened as her grip on Eve’s head strengthened. “No more bad men in my life.”

Eve’s eyes snapped open. She said, “Bad men must be punished.”

Dawn stopped rocking and turned Eve so that the doll faced her. She asked, “Punished?”

“Bad men must be punished.”

“Maybe. But . . . .” Dawn pulled Eve against her chest and began to rock again. “I’m not a vengeful person.”

“Hurt them like you hurt Gwen.”

“Gwen?” Dawn tilted her head back and smiled as she watched the stream of colorful stars flow across the ceiling. “I did feel better after that. But I’m happy now. I have you. We have each other. Isn’t that enough?” Dawn glanced down at Eve and watched the stars and nebulas reflect against the doll’s jewel-like sapphire eyes. “Isn’t it?”

“You must punish them.”

Dawn thought back to the afternoon