"If I can, dearest." Zahra's musical voice held a note of uncertainty. She cupped Jacinth's face between her palms, studying her daughter's features. "But these discussions may take some time. The implications..." She trailed off, her perfect brows drawing together.
The two women air-kissed, their cheeks barely brushing. Zahra's jasmine and rose perfume swirled around them, mingling with Jacinth's own signature scent. With a shimmerof displaced air and a lingering trace of her perfume, Zahra vanished in a shimmer of air.
Ethan stared at the spot where she'd been standing, his expression a mix of wonder and disbelief. Running his fingers through his hair, he moved toward the carved wooden staircase in the lobby.
He reappeared some minutes later with his sister in tow. Her eyes widened as she took in the gathered group. She was of medium height and slender build, with lovely, waving blonde hair cascading past her shoulders and soft blue eyes the same shade as her brother's.
"Everyone, this is my sister, Kelly." Pride colored Ethan's voice as he made the introduction.
It was clear he'd given her the basics of the situation, because as her gaze took in the people gathered, she cast her brother a wary look. Her slender fingers twisted together, betraying her nerves despite her composed expression.
"Are you having me on, then?" Her British accent matched her brother's crisp tones, though hers carried a note of disbelief.
"Not at all." Jacinth gestured to the television where the video was once more being replayed, this time in slow motion. The footage captured every supernatural moment in excruciating detail, leaving no room for doubt.
Kelly watched with widening eyes, and her mouth formed a perfect O of surprise. Her fingers trembled against the arm of the sofa as the video ended, and her gaze scanned the faces of those in the room. She wavered, her legs unsteady beneath her, and she clutched at Ethan's arm for support.
"And, all of you are..." Her voice trailed off, unable to form the words.
"Most of us," Alyssa said. She'd been standing, silent, near the doorway to the lounge, her aquamarine eyes softening withsympathy. Now she pulled a chair forward, beckoning to Kelly. "You should probably sit down. Troy?"
Troy reached for the bottle he'd brought, pouring a splash of the Balvenie into one of the coffee cups. The rich aroma of aged, thirty year old scotch filled the air as he handed it to Ethan, who passed it to his sister. Kelly's hand shook as she gripped the cup, tossing the expensive whisky back in a single gulp.
Douglas winced, running a hand through his toffee-colored hair. "That's heresy."
She coughed, drew in an audible breath, and handed the cup back to Ethan. "Sorry." She drew another rather shaky breath, her fingers trembling as she smoothed down her skirt. "All right. I'm better. So. Shapeshifters. They're a thing." Her voice wavered between disbelief and hysteria.
"We are," responded Katerina politely, moving to the trolley and pouring herself a cup of coffee, adding a splash of the whiskey.
Alyssa, who'd been dividing her attention between the conversation and the replays on the television, ran her hand through her hair. "I need to get back to Manhattan and let Damien know. He hates television, and anything technology, so he won't have seen this and he needs to. I'll be back, though."
With that she disappeared, the air shimmering where she had been only an instant ago.
Across the room, Kelly turned pale, her fingers gripping the arm of her chair.
"That's impossible," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the crackle of the fireplace.
Katerina, who seemed to have recovered a bit from her earlier shock, snickered. Her golden eyes danced with mischief. "Someone forgot to tell her about the Djinn," she said in a sing-song voice. She moved with feline grace to the nearest loveseat, and Troy sat, drawing her down onto his lap. He picked up hercoffee cup and sniffed, then slid her a sideways look. "You laced your coffee with the whiskey."
She grinned woozily at him, her short black hair falling into her eyes. "Yep."
He set the cup down on the side table with a soft clink, grumbling under his breath. His moss-green eyes narrowed with mock severity. "I should turn you over my knee."
"Ohhh, kinky." She wiggled her eyebrows at him suggestively.
"Oh, good grief." Jacinth crossed to the loveseat and took the cup from Troy, placing it on the trolley, and pouring a new cup of coffee from a carafe. She handed this to Katerina. "Here, drink this. We need you with a clear head."
She poured another cup and carried it to Kelly, smiling at the blonde woman's dazed expression. "You may not be tipsy, but you've had a shock. You probably could use this, too."
"Yes, thank you." Kelly held the cup in both hands, which were trembling a little.
Jacinth 's chocolate eyes warm with sympathy. "Let me make proper introductions. I'm Jacinth McCandliss, and this is my husband Douglas." She gestured to the tall man with toffee-colored hair. "He's human, like you."
Talya bounced up from her perch on the couch's arm, her teenage enthusiasm bubbling over. Her dark curls danced around her face as she moved to stand beside Jacinth and Douglas. The warm light from the fireplace cast a golden glow on her tan complexion.
"I'm Talya," she announced, beaming at Kelly and Ethan. "I'm their daughter." She gestured to Jacinth and Douglas, pride evident in her voice. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she added, "I'm a caracal."
She paused, considering her words, then amended, "Well, a caracal shapeshifter, actually."
