“You wouldn’t have been invited if I suspected you were worth anything less.”
“Then why dance around the subject?”
Georgiana patted my leg. “The art of negotiation is only refined with time. You are young, so I will not hold it against you.”
“I don’t understand the need for extra steps.”
“Negotiating isn’t purely for the goal of striking a deal, it can also be a test of whennotto,” she said smoothly, tipping her glassto her lips as she eyed something in the crowd as she spoke. “It is much like dancing with a stranger. You do the rehearsed movements first, test their pace, their skill of step.”
“Perhaps when there are more options, but so far I don’t see any competition.”
“I will do you the kindness of telling you plainly, woman to woman”—her eyes shifted to me, and she turned her shoulders to face me more—“I am still interested, I believe in you. What you’ve built is beautiful, but in its infancy. It will take more than just my own investment for it to prosper.Sellit.”
“How about a taste?” I suggested.
“While I am excited to sink my teeth into the talk of the town, I need to know you can work a crowd.” She was close enough that I could see the intricate beading on the edge of her mask. “We are not like any Nest around here—we have esteemed guests who travel here to feel the comforts of home, something civilized. I know you can work an eager crowd, but what about those with taste?”
“Are you insulting my taste, Georgiana?” I tilted my head, leaning close to her ear. “You wouldn’t have asked us here if you hadn’t heard anything less than exceptional, especially with your hesitancy toward more progressive Host relations.”
“I would love to believe you, but it isn’t me who will need impressing.” She slanted her head to the side. “We have some new guests aside from yourself tonight. They have not shown much interest in many so far. Get them to feed, and I can pay all of you double what you’re asking. That is, if you are as good as you say you are.”
“New guests?” I raised a brow.
She pinched my chin and guided my view to the figure lounging on a sofa, surrounded by cigar smoke and malice. A very familiar face. “From the city,” Georgiana hummed, leaning close. “Types like that are worth the trouble.”
I didn’t have to see the face under the mask to recognize Silas. I knew it was him from the rage in my heart alone.
“You said you will pay double?” I turned to look at her.
“If he and others take a liking to you, then you and your girls are welcome here every week if they choose. If it means attracting more like them, I will pay whatever it takes.”
Damping down any outward signs of disappointment or hesitance, I rose from my seat to move across the floor.
I smoothed out my skirt before approaching.
A passing guest’s shoulder shoved mine as he passed.
My head snapped up to confront, but he was already stopped, nose to nose with me.
Luka.
“Happy hunting.” His words were laced with sarcasm. He flicked his split tongue out at my lips. I flinched as I moved away. His laughter melted into the background as I approached Silas.
“Is this seat taken?” I glanced around.
“Would it make a difference if it were?” He tilted his head at me, clearly a few drinks of booze or blood in already.
I spotted Edith off in the crowd, eyeing me before looking away when I nearly caught her staring. Her smile was so bright, so confident, so well-rehearsed, I nearly believed it. It could also be how unfamiliar she looked without her head covering.
“Don’t be unpleasant. People are watching,” I muttered, slipping into the spot beside him. I leaned in, and he nearly flinched away when my lips met his ear. “If you were looking for a chance to make it up to me, now is the time.”
“Is that even possible in the eyes of your impossible standards?” he played.
I ran a finger over the hem of my neckline. “Feed on me,Creature.”
“Is this a trick?”
“It ispermission.” The words nearly came out as a sour hiss.
