“I can imagine, Monique. Given Sarah took you out with a bit of dragon’s blood, you are not comfortable talking about it either.”
Dragon’s blood—the first I had heard of that. Monique looked daggers at Karson. He ignored her and met my inquisitive gaze.
“It’s an old potion some witches have hoarded. It takes the wind out of our sails for a while.”
“Sounds fabulous. I don’t suppose you have any lying around,” I half joked.
He arched a brow, the epitome of arrogance. “If I did, I can assure you, you would be the last to know where it was.”
“Shame, imagine the fun I could have with that.” I looked squarely at Rodney. If he wanted to play games, have at it, ass.
He merely smiled as if my threat was a thing of amusement.
Josh placed a tray filled with sliced beef and pork into the middle of the table. “We should eat before the food gets cold.” He slipped down in the chair beside Georgie and squeezed her arm in a show of support. Everyone started eating and chatter flew around the table.
Kenneth, despite his tough, foreboding look, had a softer side. He tried to engage with Monique and she responded, but it was terse. Janice was like reading steel. Eric, if I had to guess, was a newish vampire. His look between Georgie and me wasunsettling at times, but when I caught his gaze he would look away and drink with gusto out of his goblet.
The waitresses came out as we finished eating. As they collected the plates, the girl who took Karson’s bowl had trembling hands. I would have felt bad for her, but there was no excuse for allowing a lady of Mary’s age to do the bulk of the work.
Karson had shifted to the other end of the table beside Rodney, chatting about old times that included fine balls and dining on the necks of dignitaries. Charming.
I was hot, and my skin was clammy under my jumper. I stood up and pulled it over my head. As I did, my white t-shirt caught and was coming with it. Michael snatched a hand out and grabbed it, pulling it back down.
A low snarl rumbled through the room. “Son, I would take your eyes off her,” Rodney said, “or if Karson doesn’t pluck your eyeballs from your sockets, I will.”
Eric dropped his head so his hair covered half his face.
Karson looked like he wanted to tear Eric’s throat out but said, “No harm done.”
“Sorry, Amy,” Eric muttered, lurching to his feet. “It’s just your sc?—”
“Eric,” the rumble came from deep down in Karson’s chest. The room fell silent.
“I’m going to get some fresh air,” Eric said, then disappeared. Wind blasted into the house as he slipped out of the front door.
“My what?” I asked, confused.
“It’s your smell,” Janice answered, her claws tapping on the table. “Witches always smell sweeter, but you.” She uncurled a long black nail at my chest. “Are like bringing a little lamb into a den of wolves.”
“To all of you?” My eyes darted around the group, stopping on Karson, intensely aware that everyone’s eyes were on me. In the silence that followed, I had my answer.
“Oh, that’s unfortunate,” Georgie slurred.
“Thank you, Janice,” Karson said, “for your unnecessary insight.”
“Personally, I think you reek.” Monique wrinkled her nose in disgust. “I never did like the stench of a witch.”
Was she attempting to make me feel better?
I threw out a hand. “You don’t think this little insight might have been shared earlier?”
“You have my protection,” Karson responded lazily. “No vampire will touch you.”
“He is correct.” Rodney stroked his stubbled chin. “No one will touch you and certainly not one of my clan.”
Kenneth rose. “I will go and check on Eric. He’s bound to be upset.”
“I could check. He is kind of hot. I wouldn’t mind a little get-over-the-cheating-asshole-move-on sex.” Georgie laughed.
