“No,” Max said, merriment brightening his face. “I’m saying that like your hearing, your eyesight, and your touch, other things have become acute, more lively, shall we say.”

“So this is normal?”

“Yes.”

“Well, why in the hell didn’t you say something?” Bennett said, jumping to her feet.

“Because, like I said, I had no idea it affected the females,” Max said, motioning for Bennett to sit back down. “As you well know, I only have three women in my flock, all of whom were prostitutes before being turned. I thought the attention they were giving my men was based on their previous occupation.”

“Max, you’ve been around for a century.”

“Good Lord, woman, do you truly believe that the ladies and I sit around the dinner table chatting about their…their urges?”

“No, I suppose not.” Bennett dropped into the chair and drummed her fingers on her leg. “Well, at least I know I’m not sick.”

“No, but you do need an outlet, and there are three available.” Upon seeing Bennett’s fading blush explode across her face again, Max vented a guffaw boisterous enough to wake the dead. “Oh, my dear, Bennett. These walls may be made of stone, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what goes on behind them. I’m very much aware of your nightly visits to Angelique’s quarters while she was here.”

“Oh.”

“And as it seems we both prefer our own kind, perhaps you should pull aside one of the ladies and see if she could—”

“No offense, Max, but I don’t find Sybil or Nesta remotely attractive, and I’m not sure Eva has ever even taken a bath. Your taste in women leaves a lot to be desired.”

“They were turned by accident by some of my men, but since they provided a necessary outlet, I saw no need to take their heads, pretty or not,” Max said before taking a sip of his brandy. “I could go looking for someone else if you’d like. All I need are your preferences and—”

“Enough,” Bennett said, getting to her feet. “You’ve just taken this already excruciatingly uncomfortable conversation to a whole new level, Max, and I’m done. I thought I was sick, and now that I know I’m not, I’ll figure it out.”

***

Having hung on every word Bennett had said, Ruby sat up when Bennett stopped. “Well, don’t leave me in suspense. What did you do?”

“What do you think I did?” Bennett said, eyeing Ruby.

A split second later, Ruby let out a laugh. “Oh.”

“Yes, and I became quite the expert at taking matters into my own hands.”

“I bet you did,” Ruby said, laughing again.

“Thankfully, Simeon visited occasionally, so I was able to hook up with Angelique several times before all hell broke loose.”

“What do you mean?”

“Once it was discovered I could withstand sunlight, everything changed.”