CHAPTER SEVEN #3
She tossed back her head and laughed merrily at that, and then tucking my arm in hers, she led me over to one of the sofas.
We sat side by side and chatted for a few minutes.
She inquired about my bookstore; I asked how her how her work with the board of the botanical gardens was proceeding.
Last I’d heard she was working on creating a new section in the garden that would feature all night-blooming flowers.
Nadia reappeared carrying over two glasses of wine on a silver tray. I accepted mine and took a sip. It was a nice semi-sweet. “Mmm,” I said, “this is good. Blackberry?”
“Yes, it is. Do you like it?” Ekaterina asked. “It’s from our own winery.”
I took another sip. “I really do like it. My Granny used to make homemade wines from berries, but they were always very, very sweet. This,” I took a third sip, “is so much better.” I slanted Ekaterina a look. “I’d appreciate it though if you never told her I said that.”
“Never would I repeat such a thing.” Ekaterina patted my leg. “Now before the males arrive and ruin our visit with all their seriousness, tell me what you know about Shelby Murphy.”
“She was my personal secretary for the Witch community business.”
“Was she your friend?”
“No,” I said bluntly. “We were casually friendly, but I wouldn’t call her a friend. It was more a business relationship. She did her job well, kept me organized, and also acted as treasurer for the community.”
“Ah.” Ekaterina nodded. “That must be how she had access to the Witches Ball funds.”
“You heard about the theft.”
“We did.” She nodded again. “I also heard that someone stepped up and made a donation to replace the stolen funds.”
“That’s true.”
“It was very generous of Dex,” she added smoothly.
“The donor wishes to remain anonymous,” I said as politely as possible.
“Of course, of course,” she agreed. “Still, I would have loved to have seen the look on Naomi Poindexter’s face when she found out that Dex sold his shares of the company to his uncle.”
My stomach tightened at the mention of Dex’s mother. Still, when I spoke I made sure my voice remained calm. “I wasn’t aware that you knew Naomi Poindexter.”
“Unfortunately, I do.” Ekaterina took a sip of her wine. “We’re on a few of the same committees for various fundraisers. She’s horrid.”
“Won’t argue with you there.”
“I’m happy for Dex that he found a way to finally sever all of the remaining ties with his toxic family,” she said. “I’m sure he made a tidy profit with the sale. No doubt that’s how he replaced all the funds.”
Instead of confirming or denying her statement, I simply took another sip of the wine.
A door opened from across the main floor and I saw Charles step out followed by a second male.
The second man wasn’t as tall as Charles, but he was brawnier.
He was handsome in a sort of old-world way, with a trim beard and mustache that matched his medium brown hair.
His dark suit had to have been custom made for him.
I couldn’t imagine him buying off the rack with his build.
Charles was also immaculately dressed in a suit and tie, and suddenly I felt extremely under-dressed in my online attire as compared to the designer and custom clothes all around me.
While I could hear Charles’ shoes moving softly against the marble floor, the second male made no sound as he walked across the room. Setting my wineglass down on the coffee table, I stood.
“Lorna,” Ekaterina said as they approached, “allow me to introduce my husband, Seth Olarescu.”
“Hello.” I nodded.
Seth Olarescu came to a halt directly in front of me but did not offer his hand.
His eyes, a sizzling green, narrowed as he looked me deliberately up and down.
I regulated my breathing and waited him out.
He was sizing me up, I knew. I was a Supe, a Witch in his home, and he did not know my level of power or ability.
All I could think as he stood before me was: Warrior. It was the way he held himself, the shape of his body, and his calm, courteous appearance which I knew could flip to violence in a fraction of a second.
“So, this is the young silver-haired Magistra I’ve heard so much about,” he said, sitting on the sofa across from where I’d sat with his wife.
Now that he’d taken his seat, I was able to do so as well. It was the most formal of protocols, but it was the wisest thing to do. Charles also did not sit down until after Seth had.
Still, I hesitated for a moment longer.
“Please,” Seth said to me. “Be comfortable.”
I sat down next to Ekaterina, and when she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, I glanced over at her and gave her a smile in thanks.
“Charles and I have spoken at length about the issues that have tainted Birmingham.” Seth Olarescu’s voice was low and cultured, with the tiniest bit of a bass rumble.
It was a major weapon in and of itself. His voice made you lean in and want to listen to him, almost as if it was a compulsion...or more likely an enthrallment. A Vampire that could use their voice so effectively, I knew, was either ancient, very powerful, or both.