“A bat and a wolf,” Melbourne said. He paused, glancing around the table as if someone might help him. I followed his gaze, noting that Lady Luna was watching him very closely, as if reading him. For some reason, her penetrating gaze sent a shiver up my spine. Melbourne snapped his fingers. “And a human.” He beamed, pleased with himself.
“Not a human,” Lord Boulliard said.
Melbourne frowned. “But they aren’t human. They only wear the bodies of humans.”
“I’ll allow it,” Flora said. “Even if it wasn’t the answer we were looking for, it was insightful.”
Lord Boulliard grumbled in reply.
“Lady Luna?” Flora glanced to the psychic.
Lady Luna dipped her head once. Flora seemed to take this as an indication to move on. “How about Hansel next?”
The second course was brought in as the fourth guest was questioned about werewolf habits. Roasted lamb, Brussels sprouts in a buttery sauce, and savory pies stuffed with duck made the rounds. I would normally be salivating at the idea of such rich food, but my stomach fluttered nervously as Violetta’s turn came to an end.
Flora gazed up the table before pausing on me. She smiled. “Lucian. We’ll have you go next.”
I nodded stiffly and tried not to feel Lord Boulliard’s gaze as he examined me. As I avoided his eyes, I accidentally met Lady Luna’s, who seemed to peer straight through to my soul. I fidgeted nervously, staring at a lovely centerpiece of green glass, with poppies and various weeds pouring from its depths.
“Where did the first known vampire come from?”
I blinked. This was a much harder question than the others, and I suddenly realized why Zachariah had thought it necessary to supply me with an answer. But, of course, I already knew the answer to this question. Konstantin had detailed its ramifications on the vampire community, how they had dispersed across Europe to avoid being implicated as a result.
“Istria,” I said. “I believe the vampire was Jure Grando Alilovic.”
Lord Boulliard blinked. “Very good.” There was begrudging respect in his voice and he nodded to me as Flora glanced at Lady Luna.
The psychic’s eyes lingered on me a moment. She hesitated, but nodded to Flora, and I let out a breath as the trial continued around me.
The rest of dinner was rather tame, Ambrose excusing himself to avoid having to sit in Lady Luna’s presence for any longer than was necessary as the marzipan was set out for dessert. One suitor had fumbled his question, while two were given somber shakes of the head from Lady Luna, suitors I was sure Flora had wanted out of the competition sooner, but hadn’t had the excuse. Perhaps that was Lady Luna’s role in all of this.
And now we were down to six suitors: Me, Cecelia, Melbourne, Violetta, Hansel, and Zachariah, who wasn’t a serious candidate.
As many of the others approached Lady Luna with questions about her abilities, dinner effectively over, Maxwell lingered nearby, clearly waiting for an opportunity to speak with me. I took a moment to watch Percival, who looked even paler than he had earlier. He carried on nevertheless with a steady hand, scrutinizing his staff as they removed dishes, before I stood to meet Maxwell. This would be a good opportunity to ask him about what Stuart had told me, at least.
Violetta met me on the way and I paused. “How are you holding up?”
She shrugged. “As best as I can, I suppose. I’ve been trying to keep busy.” She had dark circles under her eyes, but she’d answered her question at the table confidently enough to continue. She looked around to ensure we wouldn’t be overheard. “I plan on seeing Isabel’s parents tonight since I didn’t make the funeral. On my way back, I’ll fetch Emmett’s list from my house.”
“Thank you, Violetta,” I said. I reached out hesitantly and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything from me.”
She flashed me a smile before she slipped past me. I watched her go before I turned back toward Maxwell, who ducked his head as I approached.
“I was actually thinking about asking Lady Luna about Emmett,” he told me as I joined him. “Do you think that’s silly?”
I blinked at him. “Emmett? What about him?”
“You know, if she can reach him on the other side.” He wouldn’t meet my eyes. “If he’s … no longer with us.”
My heart constricted and I resisted the urge to reach out and give his shoulder a squeeze. “A medium won’t be able to reach someone who’s alive,” I told him.
He sent me a grateful smile. “I know.”
I sighed. “Although I did hear that Emmett attempted to overhear a conversation at the spy post.”
Maxwell frowned. “Is that so?”
“Do you know why he would want to eavesdrop on a conversation between your mother and Lord Boulliard?”
