“Yes, I am, but it’s…um…it’s not the usual type of party.”

“Okay?”

“Every year, my mentor and very good friend, Max, throws a New Year’s Eve soiree, and he’s allowing me to bring you as my guest. If you’d like to go, that is.”

“I’m assuming this Max is a…is a vampire.”

“Yes, and you would be surrounded by dozens of us, along with our guardians. It’s actually how it all started, a little party to show his appreciation for all that they do for us, which has turned into a yearly bash.”

“Count me in. It sounds like fun. I just need to know what to wear. I mean, is it formal?”

“Yes, for you, evening wear would be required.”

“And not for you?”

“No,” Bennett said with a gleam in her eye. “Max has his eccentricities, and for this party, he requires all the vampires to dress in costumes appropriate to the era in which they were born or in which they were turned. It’s our choice.”

“Okay, so this really sounds like fun now.”

“There’s one more thing. Like I said, Ruby, you’ll be surrounded by my kind, and like our guardians, you’re mortal.”

“So?”

“So, Max has asked me to make sure I mark you in some way, so the members of his coven don’t mistake you for a guardian and try to feed on you.”

Ruby’s gulp was audible. “What started out sounding like fun just turned creepy.”

“It won’t be. I promise you. I’ve already commissioned to have some new lapel pins and necklaces made. They’ll designate that those wearing them belong to me.”

“Belong to you?” Ruby blurted.

A short burst of laughter erupted from within Bennett. “Poor choice of words on my part, apparently,” she said, wiping tears of amusement from her eyes.

“Ya think?”

“Calm down, woman,” Bennett said, sniffling back her mirth. “Belong as in part of my entourage, not as in slavery or something like that. Basically, it will let the others know that you, Lisa, her brothers, and a couple of others are off-limits. That’s all.”

“I see,” Ruby murmured.

“Look, if you don’t want to go, that’s fine, but nothing will happen to you. I promise. Max’s clan is by far the most eloquent and well-behaved. Once they see the jewelry, they wouldn’t dare cross the line, and I do think you’ll have a good time. They’re all fascinating people.”

Ruby studied Bennett for a full minute. “Okay, I’ll go.”

“Good,” Bennett said, placing a kiss on Ruby’s lips. “I’m going to get some wine. Would you like some?”

“Yes, thanks. Could you bring me some water, too?”

“Of course. I’ll be right back.”