“So them insulting me wasn’t about me. It was about you.”

“Yes, and they were trying to get a rise out of me. I’m sorry if you felt I should have done something more than I did. I was merely trying to get them to leave us alone without causing a fracas or drawing a sword.”

Ruby took her time in answering. “I guess you did defend me.”

“As best I could without cutting off a head.”

“That would have been messy,” Ruby said with a small smile.

“So…am I forgiven?”

Bennett’s hushed tone was as sensual as it was penitent, and her charm extinguished what was left of Ruby’s annoyance. “I suppose.”

“Good.” Bennett leaned in and brushed her lips against Ruby’s. “And I promise, for the rest of the evening, I won’t leave your side.”

With their faces only inches apart, Ruby said in a breath, “How about if I don’t want you by my side?”

“What?”

Ruby sought out Bennett’s mouth, and plunging her tongue inside, her kiss was hard and searching. It lasted for nearly a minute before Ruby came up for air. “How about if I want you on top of me, or better yet, under me?”

Bennett licked her lips, enjoying the flavor she found there. “That can be arranged, too. As they say, your wish is my command.”

Commotion at the front door stopped their conversation, and they both looked toward the noise. Dressed in sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth-century costumes, over a dozen vampires strode inside. Greeted by Victor and Max, backs were slapped, hats were tipped, and hands were shaken. All but one were men, and the woman was wearing the most lavish and ornate gown in the room. Jewels were sewn into the lustrous gold fabric, making it appear like a mosaic against the gilded background, and in her bouffant upswept hair, more gemstones sparkled.

“Wow, she doesn’t want to go unnoticed, does she?”

Bennett glanced at Ruby. “No. That’s Concepcion, and she’s all about making a spectacle if she can.”

“Oh, that’s the one who gave you a hard time way back when.”

“Yes, and the years haven’t mellowed her one goddamned bit,” Bennett said, scowling. “And the man wearing the elaborate silk and velvet outfit with the fur-lined cape is Hector. He’s one of the originals.”

“And pretentious by the looks of him.”

“At times, he can be.”

Ruby observed the gathering in the entryway for a couple more seconds, but when a few raised their eyes, she turned back to the tapestry.

“What’s wrong?” Bennett said.

“I can’t get rid of the feeling I’m now being looked at as food.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not. I’m not saying Concepcion or Hector embrace Max’s decorum regarding mortals, but unlike their underlings, they do respect it.”

“Underlings? Are you saying Desiree and Eliza are with them?”