Page 74 of Soulbound Shadows: Part 1

She pulled me up, and I rose to kiss her deeply.

“When you said we only have a little time…” she said breathlessly, then trailed off.

“We could find a little more,” I said.

Evangeline grinned and went for my fly.

Later, after we’d straightened ourselves up, one of my father’s servants let us into their home with the vaguely disapproving air of every butler I’d ever met.

“His Lordship is in the dining room,” he informed us, and I fought back a wince.

“Thank you, Pivens,” I said, and the butler nodded.

I led Evangeline toward the dining room—the private one, not the one used for guests. Even though it was the less impressive dining room, it was still massive, with a long ebony table and a huge fireplace. Long, brocade drapes framed stained-glass windows depicting ancient monsters. Evangeline’s steps were loud on the dark stone floor. Mine had gone silent, my movements more fluid. There was no point in toning down my vampiric grace around my parents.

My father rose when we entered. Even though we were the same height, he somehow always managed to seem like he was looking down his nose at me. My mother, dressed in a brocade concoction, stayed seated, but her eyes thawed very slightly when she saw me.

“You’re late,” my father said.

I swept a shallow bow. “Apologies, Father,” I said. “You know how traffic gets in the city.”

“Indeed.”

“Please allow me to present my… associate, Evangeline Summers,” I said. Evangeline bobbed a surprisingly smooth curtsy. “Evangeline, my father Lord De Montclair, and my mother Lady De Montclair.”

“It’s so nice to meet you both,” Evangeline said.

My mother looked at her like Evangeline was some sort of mildly interesting creature she’d found under a rock. My father looked at her with unconcealed contempt.

“You didn’t tell us you were bringing a guest,” he said sharply.

“You didn’t give me much advance notice.”

He sneered. “Sit before your blood gets any colder. Ms. Summers, I’m afraid we don’t have anything for your kind.”

“That’s fine,” Evangeline said.

I pulled a chair back for Evangeline, because while my father was already angry I’d brought a witch, he would be even angrier if I let my manners slip.

Dinner was painfully awkward. I ate careful spoonsful of blood from my parents’ fine china while my mother did a masterful job of pretending it was actually a pleasant evening, and my father glared daggers at Evangeline, who worried at her teleportation pendant and tried not to make eye contact.

“I hope you’re aware, Gabriel, that this isn’t some sort of social call,” my father said.

“Yes, I assumed as much.”

“I had planned to discuss council business, but then you decided to show up with an outsider.”

“Evangeline is actually a very well-connected member of the local magical community,” I said. “She may be able to provide helpful insight.”

My father laughed out loud, and it was completely devoid of humor. Across the table, my mother closed her eyes and shook her head minutely.

“I have neither need for nor the interest in advice from a hedge-witch,” he said coldly.

I gritted my teeth. “Without the witches, vampires wouldn’t even exist,” I pointed out, unable to stop myself. My father’s chair screeched against the tile as he leaped to his feet, hands braced on the table.

“I know our history!” he roared. “I was there, Gabriel. Do not presume to lecture your elders on matters of which you know nothing!”

“Roland,” my mother said, her voice frigidly calm. “I believe our son is simply saying that another point of view might be useful. No matter your opinion on her kind, Ms. Summers is a guest in our home and is therefore due our hospitality.”

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