People reached out to touch him. Each time someone greeted him, he stopped and talked for a few moments before moving on. Couples smiled at him. He seemed to know everyone’s name and asked about children or parents. Imelda sighed and tapped her foot impatiently.

“My grandfather,” she announced. “He’s very beloved.”

It seemed to annoy her that her grandfather was so popular with the people. Isabeau guessed it took the attention that she craved away from her. The man suddenly looked up and she could see his eyes through the thick glasses. Old and faded, they were more a gray than a black, but he seemed genuinely interested in those around him. She couldn’t imagine that a creature as immoral and malevolent as Imelda could possibly be related to this man.

“For heaven’s sake, Grandfather,” Imelda snapped and broke away from the group. “We have important guests,” she hissed in his ear, shoving between his chair and the guard. She took control of the chair herself and pushed him through the remaining throng to their small corner of the room. “Come meet Marcos Santos and Elijah Lospostos. This is my grandfather, Alberto Cortez. He’s a little hard of hearing,” she apologized.

Marcos and Elijah both shook his hand and greeted him with respect and a deference they hadn’t shown Imelda. Alberto smiled at Isabeau. “And who is this?”

“Elijah’s cousin, grandfather,” Imelda said, her tone waspish.

“Isabeau Chandler, my cousin,” Elijah presented her with a small, courteous bow.

He took Isabeau’s hand in both of his. Her cat hissed, her skin still too sensitive for contact. “Lovely dear, you outshine every woman here.”

Imelda rolled her eyes. “Please forgive the old man, he’s always been a charmer.”

“You are very charming,” Isabeau addressed him directly, not looking at Imelda, feeling a little sorry for him. Imelda treated him like a doddering fool, when it was obvious his brain was sharp and fully functioning. “I’m so glad you’ve come.”

He winked at her, also ignoring his granddaughter. “Are they talking business again?”

“I think they were about to.”

“The music is a bit wild, but the food is good and the women are gorgeous. What is wrong with men today that business is everything? They don’t realize that time speeds by and they should take time to enjoy the little things.” He looked up at the faces around him. “Soon you will be old with little time left.”

Two red flags of color swept into Imelda’s face. “Excuse him, please. He talks a lot of nonsense.”