She extended her hand. “Juliette St. Germain.”
After a moment’s consideration, I took her hand and gave it the required shake. We could all remain civilized, right? At least, for now.
“And this,” she added, gesturing to her sister, “is Evangeline.”
The woman in the combat boots offered no greeting.
“Lovely to meet you both,” I said.
“We happened to be in the area,” Juliette said. “And thought a spot of tea might be nice.”
“Of course you were,” I replied sweetly. “Because everything is in the area in Eternity Falls.”
Juliette grinned. “I do believe you’re right.”
I smiled like a good socialite and extended my hand to the two empty chairs at our table. “Would you care to join us? Unless you have somewhere terribly important to be?”
Thorne shot me a look—a mix of “Are you serious?” and “For the love of full moons, why?”
I ignored it. I had a game to play here, one I’d mastered a long, long time ago. Sometimes, the best way to take measure of your enemy was to share some blood and pastries.
“Ah. We’re expecting company,” Juliette said, “and we wouldn’t wish to intrude.”
“Might as well make yourselves comfortable while you wait for the rest of your party.”
Without waiting for Juliette’s response, Evangeline dropped into one of the chairs and immediately kicked her booted feet up onto the edge of the table. The entire café went silent, and the furniture practically vibrated with disapproval. But no one moved. Not even her chair. Interesting. Did the ghosts fear the St. Germains too? Seemed the whole town did.
Juliette scoffed quietly, then sat in the last chair. Her posture was picture perfect and her expression unreadable. She would have done any mother proud. She took her time getting comfortable, slowly crossing her ankles—because ladies didn’t actually cross their legs—then faced me. I got the distinct feeling she was squaring away whatever details she noted about me for later. Likely to rehash with her family.
“You’ve made quite the impression,” she said at last, folding her hands in her lap. “People are talking.”
I offered a mild smile. “People always talk.”
Juliette studied me for a long, silent beat. I lifted my cup and took a leisurely sip.
“I imagine this is all very new,” she said. “Eternity Falls has its own rhythm.”
“Seems to,” I said. “Though I think I’m picking up the tempo.”
Before Juliette could respond, Evangeline let out a mocking laugh. “Not very well if you’re allowing a mutt to show you around.”
Thorne stiffened beside me, her hand curling into a fist around her napkin. I didn’t have to be a shifter to smell the insult in the air. Even I knew one did not address a shifter as a “mutt.” It was beyond crass.
Anger rose hard and fast within me, but I managed to maintain an even tone. “I assume you’re referring to my business partner?”
Evangeline dipped her head in acknowledgement.
Very well. Guess it was time to take off my silk gloves. To show them they weren’t the only vampires in town.
I slowly leaned forward. “For the purpose of this conversation, might I suggest you keep your condescending remarks to yourself?”
She merely raised a brow, clearly amused.
I went on, my tone sickeningly sweet. “I know your family is famous for cruelty but let me assure you—the St. Germains hardly rank in my eyes. And when someone oversteps, I don’t raise my voice—I simply remind them of where they belong. Which is beneath me.”
She didn’t blink, so I let my smile widen and flashed my fangs.
“You’re loud, darling. But loud doesn’t equal powerful. I’ve buried many far louder than you.” I glanced at her boots, then back to her face, letting my expression flatten into something cool and unimpressed. “So, unless you’re looking to end up as a cautionary tale of what happens when a St. Germain pisses off a Laurent, I’d suggest you pick a target more…appropriate to your station.”
