If they didn’t know where he was in the ballroom, perhaps they would share when and where he worked—their main office or their satellite location—so she could surprise him with a psychic appointment. Her heart flipped over at the mere idea of seeing him again. Maybe there was something wrong with her, too. She hadn’t been looking for a man or a date or a husband, regardless of what Aunt Vilma said to try and persuade her.
Ruby had made it clear to her matchmaking-minded aunt that she was not on the hunt for any kind of relationship or companionship.
Max’s face eased into her mind and settled in for a nice long stay. He was attractive. No getting around that fact. He’d read her mind about trying to find someone at the ball, but perhaps it had been a lucky guess. An investigator, paranormal or not, looking for someone wasn’t exactly a stretch.
Ruby should stop by the family table and at least say hi to Aunt Vilma before heading out.
As she turned to do just that, Ruby saw Max exit the men’s bathroom in a hurry and head for the front door. Perhaps he was making his final escape. She almost followed him, but instead decided to try a surprise attack where he worked. She could ask to have her fortune read by him specifically, then see what he had to say about her and about that ring he wore on his right ring finger.
She drifted in the direction of the family table, ready to take a seat and view the guests from a stationary place. Viktor and Isabel were just standing up to take a spin around the dance floor.
“I see you finally got away from your big, bad, baby whisperer duties,” she said as she passed her half-vampire half brother.
He rolled his eyes, bared his fangs and hissed at her with exaggerated menace, making her giggle.
Warrick and Bianca sat next to Vilma, but also stood up to head for the dance floor. Ruby slid into one of the seats vacated by Viktor and Isabel.
“How are you, darling?” Vilma asked with a big grin. “And most importantly, who was that gorgeous, tall blond man I saw you talking to by the refreshment table?”
Ruby shook her head, awed by the fact her aunt already knew about Max. “His name is Max Vander. He told me he loves me, he wants to marry me and that he must always tell me the truth.”
Vilma giggled. “Very funny, dear.”
“I’m not kidding. He said all those things to me.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t know, but he said something must be wrong with him. I believe I agree.”
“Well, the two of you look marvelous together and you even had compatible costumes. You’re Little Red Riding Hood while he was dressed as the Huntsman with an authentic axe from Warrick’s shop. I’d recognize his work anywhere.” She kissed her fingertips and threw them in the air, as if some random chef had created a perfect salad or something. “Simply perfect.”
“Well, he seems a little bit off his rocker, but I do need to talk to him again. He said he works for Bubba and Astrid. Do you know either of them well enough to get me a meeting with one or both of them?”
“I could, but why don’t you ask Bianca? Or simply go to their place of business and ask them? They are very approachable, for aliens from another planet.”
Ruby saw Sheriff Merrow cut a swift path through the crowd toward the men’s bathroom. She decided it was a case of champagne in, champagne out. Just like any other potent beverage.
Warrick and Bianca returned from the dance floor. Viktor and Isabel remained in each other’s arms, swaying to the music.
“I’m sure you’ll find your man, Ruby,” Vilma said.
“What man? Why do you need to find a man?” Warrick asked, sounding like an overprotective brother. He and Bianca sat down.
Ruby ignored his tone. “For a case I’m working on.”
Warrick perked up. “Do you need me to help you take down any supernatural bad guys?”
“You and Viktor do not have the vaguest idea of what I do for a living.”
He grinned. “No. We do. But it’s fun to see you sputter when we ask. Let’s call it brotherly love. We have a couple of decades of teasing to make up for.”
“Awesome,” she said, sounding exasperated. She wasn’t. She appreciated their sense of humor and approved of how they treated her with such love and warm welcome. Even the brotherly teasing was welcome. It was wonderful to be genuinely accepted without any strings attached to their affection. And most of all, she liked the teasing, but didn’t plan to tell them.
Before she could say another word, she smelled smoke. Sniffing the air, she turned toward the bathrooms.
She was about to sound the alarm when Warrick stood up quickly.
“I smell smoke. Does anyone smell that?” Warrick asked, as several loud voices came from across the ballroom. As a half-dragon shifter, he had a particular affinity for flames of any kind.
