Plus One
“Sit,” the councilman repeats, “please.”
Even with the hastily added nicety, Starla’s expression is already mutinous. I lean toward her ear as discreetly as possible.
“The event has begun,” I remind her.
The witch snaps her mouth closed, plastering on a smile and dipping into an actual curtsy.
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
One side of her father’s lip rises.
Starla moves over to a burgundy chaise and lowers herself gracefully, gathering her skirts so they won’t poof out underneath her.
He regards his daughter.
“You look well, at least. I’m glad those lessons in etiquette I paid for weren’t entirely a waste. But your accent is atrocious. No doubt your grandmother’s doing.”
I just manage to keep my own mouth shut tight, hoping to the seas that Starla will manage.
“Councilman Taylor. Lovely to see you again,” Jackal greets with a small bow of his head.
The councilman inclines his own head in response, but I catch the way his jaw tenses.
“Jackal.” He doesn’t quite manage to say the name politely. “Still working as a watcher for the other hyenas?”
“Among other things,” Jackal responds vaguely.
During their exchange, I watch my best friend. Her blues eyes flare following the insult to Grammy Pearl, but she’s able to get them under control.
“Councilman Taylor, may I introduce Ji-hwan, former enforcer and current consultant for the Magikai,” Starla says.
Again, Councilman Taylor largely keeps his expression cordial, and I can’t decide if I imagine more flickering in his eyes when Starla mentions Ji-hwan’s work with the government, or if it’s just a reflection of the fire.
“An honor to be in attendance, Councilman,” Ji-hwan says, voice smoother than velvet as he inclines his chin to the warlock.
“You’re not a warlock. I can see that. You’re not a shifter, are you? You don’t have the look of one.”
I hear a sharp intake of breath, and realize it’s my own. The question is not polite. But Ji-hwan just chuckles, throwing his head back in a way that sends a strand of silken-black hair flipping over his eyes.
“A Were, Councilman. I would offer to transform right here and prove it, but I would hate to waste such a nice suit.”
Councilman Taylor examines him for a moment, then gives the smallest excuse for a half-smile I’ve ever seen.
“Some of my guests will be interested to speak to you, I’m sure. A few of them have a particular interest in dying breeds.”
The comment would stun me, but Ji-hwan continues to grin as if he’s not being reminded that Weres are rarer than most supernaturals and said by some to be on an irreversible decline.
“And I am Exos, sir. Formerly a portal guardian in Fae, and here primarily as security for the young ladies.”
“Oh, and what danger could they face here, pray tell?”
“You do have enemies, Father.” Starla lets the comment hang.
The councilman tilts his head.
“A gargoyle. I don’t have the occasion to meet many of your kind, although I believe there used to be quite a few of you around Europe?”
“There still are some, but many have relocated to Fae over the generations,” Exos answers, without elaborating on the reasons for such a move. Although I’d wager having the freedom to roam around with his wings out might be one large benefit.
“And you’ve made the move back. Curious. Coven Leader Pearl already sent me a list, so this is all formalities, of course. Are you qualified as a bodyguard? Do you have a strong work history in that area?”
“He helped me avoid a kidnapping when we first arrived. That welcoming committee you sent didn’t feel particularly safe.” Starla stares up at her father, holding her eyes and her expression in check.
Councilman Taylor’s nostrils flare.
“I was eager to see my child, who has absented herself not only from my company, but from the country at large for years. Perhaps I was overzealous. I can acknowledge that Dennis is not always the most delicate in his approach.”
“Delicate? That man has a touch heavier than a hippo in lead boots,” Starla fires off, Southern accent dripping from her words.
Councilman Taylor’s nose wrinkles, and Starla, perhaps sensing the situation is heading to a place more Southern than her accent, tries to salvage things.
“But I am glad we are clearing up the misunderstanding, and to hear that you harbored no ill intent, Father.”
His expression settles.
“Of course not, darling.” I wonder if he catches the way her shoulders tense when he uses the term of affection.
“And you must be Carolina,” Councilman Taylor turns to face me, and I instinctively take a small step back in the face of the sudden attention.
With a shifter, it would be a mistake. They are always on the watch for prey. But despite Councilman Taylor’s human appearance, I see his gaze shift to my feet and the way a smile plays on his face.
“Charmed, Carolina. While my daughter is not a talent at regular communication, I do try to keep up with who and what is going on in her life. I know she spends a significant amount of her time with you.”
The hair on my arms is standing on end, and a side glance tells me that I’m picking up on Jackal’s tension. He’s glaring, lip raised and the tip of a growing fang showing. Thankfully, the councilman misses it as my mate gets himself under control.
The councilman is a puzzle. Simply an overbearing parent, or something more sinister?
If I want to find out, I’ll have to engage.
I hold my hand out to the councilman with a shy smile.
One of his staff enters the room wordlessly, proffering a silver tray with a bottle of amber liquid and several small glasses.
“When Dennis and the others returned empty-handed, I realized Starla might have misinterpreted my intentions. I propose that we all start over.”
The councilman pops the cork on what I can only imagine is a staggeringly expensive bottle of scotch. He pours six glasses, and we each take one.
“To a weekend of acquainting and reacquainting ourselves. I hope you all enjoy the events of the winter ball.” He raises his glass, and we all do the same.
“We’re looking forward to the festivities,” Starla says, managing a syrupy sweet tone she must have practiced with Ji-hwan.
“I’m eager to explore the gardens. They’re lovely,” I add, trying to help my friend along.
Ji-hwan gives the councilman a flattering smile.
“Starla has told us that there are several enticing events we can look forward to over the course of the next few days. It will be almost a shame to leave each night,” he says.
Councilman Taylor raises his glass in the Were’s direction.
“Precisely my thinking. With all the events I’m hosting, I’ll hardly have time to spend with my beloved daughter. So, darling, I have come up with a solution. Your rooms are prepared and waiting for you upstairs.”
Starla coughs, choking on a swallow of scotch.
“Excuse me?” Her voice is hoarse.
“You’ll be staying at the manor, naturally.” The councilman turns to the rest of us. “I am sorry to say that while the rooms here are numerous, I did not have much space to spare by the time Starla gave me her guest list, so I cannot extend an invitation to all of you.”
“I’m not staying here by myself!” Starla insists, spine ramrod straight.
Jackal is tense, and Exos has pulled himself to his full human height, towering over the rest of us.
“You flew all this way, with no intention of spending any quality time with your father?” Councilman Taylor asks, eyebrows turning down in a saddened expression that he doesn’t quite pull off.
“Besides, I already worked out the schedule of events with your coven leader. She is well aware that I have certain social engagements planned between you and several of the gentlemen in attendance. It would be troublesome to go back and forth to … where was it you were staying?”
He slips the last bit in as an aside, but no one takes the bait.
Starla stands, smoothing the material of her dress.
“Of course, if you would like to spend time with me, Father, how could I refuse?”
I’m shocked and impressed that she’s playing her role so well.
But what if she tries to uncover something about your curse while here alone? What if she puts herself in danger, and no one is here to help?
“However, it was also part of the agreement with my coven that I be allowed others to accompany me, and I’m not sure whether this breaches that portion of the agreement.” Starla taps her chin.
Councilman Taylor scowls.
“As I said, I regrettably do not have the space to offer to the rest of your party. Although …”
“Yes?” Starla grasps on to the possibility.
“Well, your rooms are spacious. And we’ve had a bed placed in what was your study for the purpose of accommodating more guests, since I host functions regularly.
While propriety obviously dictates I not offer it to the gentlemen present, I should think Carolina might make use of the area.
That would solve the issue, would it not? ”
“Me?” I squeak.
Councilman Taylor turns to me.
“What do you say, Carolina. Would you grace us both with your presence? I’d be happy to orchestrate some introductions on your behalf as well. No doubt my daughter would be more agreeable to some of my social planning if they were designed more as double dates.”
My brain screeches to a halt as I realize what he’s implying.
Ji-hwan begins to cough, loudly. Councilman Taylor turns to the Were, who appears to be choking on his scotch.
It’s a good cover for Jackal’s low growl and the way he steps protectively close to me.
“No,” he whispers into my ear.
It’s times like this I really wish we could speak into each other’s minds, like stories say some mates are able to do, but I’ve never seen it with my own eyes. Perhaps it’s just a legend.
“For Starla,” I whisper back.
I squeeze his hand, but drop it quickly.
“Okay,” he says, stepping back as Ji-hwan pretends to compose himself and the councilman turns back to me.
I plaster on a smile, managing a sad imitation of Starla’s curtsy.
“I would be delighted.”
“Wonderful. Now, I have just a few more small details to finalize with my daughter. I hope the rest of you will enjoy the cocktail hour. We’ll join you soon.”
Starla’s eyes widen, but she doesn’t object.
We place our glasses back down on the silver tray, filtering out of the room one by one through a door that a manor servant holds open.
It slides shut behind us with almost no sound at all, but I feel something heavy inside me all the same.
We’re really into things now.