Page 61 of Fallen Court

Étienne laid a gloved hand over hers, and Baptiste’s mouth clamped shut. Even she wouldn’t dare disobey a sitting member of the Vampire Council. He tipped his head to Ambrose. “The boundaries will be respected. Our business will stay in the French Quarter. ”

A muscle worked in Ambrose’s jaw, but he nodded. He glanced to his companions, fixing the witch who had spoken against him with a glare. “Let’s get out of here. You can restart your spell.”

She pulled a face behind him as she trailed him out the door, the other covens following suit. Corinne muttered under her breath as she stalked past, probably hexing me. Only Baptiste and Étienne lingered. In many ways, vampires were the creatures most similar to my kind. They’d been maneuvering politics between species for centuries. That made them powerful allies when they chose to be, but while Étienne had sworn allegiance and seemed to respect my authority over the city, he still answered to the council. Baptiste was a bit more complicated.

The vampires approached us. Étienne gestured for Roark to speak privately with him, leaving me to contend with her.

Baptiste sauntered closer, placing one hand on her young companion’s shoulder. “Caleb, darling, go get the car.”

He nodded once, eyes skirting in my direction as he passed as if sizing me up. I bared my teeth at him, and he hurried along.

“I see you got yourself a new pet,” I said to Baptiste as he disappeared toward the lobby.

She batted her eyes at me as she fiddled with her red leather gloves. They matched her lipstick exactly. “This one is breaking in nicely.” She swept a lingering look over my face, frowning slightly. “If only all men were so easily trained.”

Somehow, I suspected that sentiment applied even more strongly to me.

“Can I help you with something?” There was no point in pretending that this conversation was anything other than transactional.

“You can change your mind about the opium dens…”

Never missed a trick.

“I’ve got things under control,” I said, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Baptiste hesitated, something unreadable passing in her golden brown eyes. But she forced a wan smile. “Is it true? Is this girlfriend a human?”

“I don’t know if I should tell you that,” I admitted.

“I’m not going to bite her! I’m just surprised. Humans are so fragile.”

“There’s nothing fragile about Cate.” I laughed at the thought.

Baptiste blinked, smiling slightly. “Perhaps I need to meet her.”

A meeting was probably inevitable. Most of the leaders of the city’s covens would want to meet the woman attached to the rumors swirling about me. But given my history with Baptiste, I suspected it was about more than curiosity for her. It would be a cold day in hell before I volunteered to introduce the two of them.

“I really didn’t believe it when I heard about the Wild Hunt,” Baptiste continued. Was that concern in her voice? Impossible. “And then my brother told me you went after the Infernal Court. I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised when you called me for help. How did that work out?”

My eyes narrowed. “I’m sure he reported right back to you.”

“Who? Dante?” Baptiste shrugged. “Of course, but I’m hardly keeping track of a human.” She winked. Only one of us cared about mere mortals. “I was trying to be polite.”

“That would be a first,” I said dryly.

“I suppose you aren’t the only one allowed to change.” She brushed her glove along my arm as she moved toward the door. “If you grow tired of her, I’m feeling a bit cooped up lately. You could stop by the restaurant or the casino.”

I shifted out of her reach. “I’m certain Caleb can distract you.”

She cocked her head, a dazzling smile breaking over her crimson-stained lips. “I suppose he keeps me busy.”

Étienne and Roark broke apart as she exited the room. The vampire paused instead of following after her. “I am genuinely pleased that you are back,” he told me, something paternal in his otherwise youthful smile.

“You may be the only one,” I said grimly.

“Don’t let the others fool you. Many of us remain indebted to your family.”

Many but not all.