Page 91 of It All Started with a Bite

“Yo, fam,” Pearl said regally.

“Furball!” Bo wagged his tail so fast I was worried he would achieve vertical lift off.

I let them inside. “I didn’t know you were coming over.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call first.” Victoria swept past me, her gaze taking in our apartment with barely concealed curiosity. “I was in the neighborhood and thought it best to tell you this face-to-face.”

I narrowed my eyes. Judging from recent experience, I was pretty convinced I wasn’t going to like what she said. Victoria pretended not to notice my suspicious stare.

Ellie popped her head out of the kitchen. “Oh. It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Hawthorne.” She hesitated. “Would you like some coffee?”

Victoria’s mouth curved in a small smile. “I would like that very much.”

“The coffee might be poisoned,” Bo warned Pearl in a low voice.

I hushed him. Victoria pretended not to notice as I escorted her into the living room.

“So this is how the other half lives.” Pearl jumped down from Victoria’s arms and looked around. “This place is smaller than my litter box.” For once, her voice didn’t drip with its usual degree of contempt.

“Not everyone can afford a million-dollar mansion,” I muttered.

“Try ten million,” Pearl said.

I choked on air while she navigated the floor gingerly with her delicate paws.

“Wanna see my pad?” Bo asked excitedly.

“You have a pad?” Pearl asked doubtfully.

“Okay, it’s a basket, but it’s still nice.”

Victoria and I watched them leave.

“It’s good to see Pearl getting along with your dog,” Victoria murmured. “She doesn’t have many friends.”

I hesitated. “You know that’s because she acts like a prima donna, right?”

Victoria sighed. “Rumor has it the first thing she said to her mother after she was born was ‘How dare you present me with such a filthy litter of siblings.’”

I could totally see that.

Ellie brought our coffee over and joined us. To my surprise, it was delicious.

“So what is it you needed to tell me?” I asked Victoria guardedly.

I could tell she was trying to avoid the subject.

Victoria put her cup down and visibly steeled herself. “There’s a regular social function at Château Montmartre we need to attend.”

Yeah, I pretty much hated every word she’d just said.

“Château Montmartre?!” Ellie gasped. “You mean that posh place where they serve tea in gold-rimmed cups?”

I chewed my lip. Château Montmartre was one of the most high-end hotels on the East Coast. It boasted luxurious suites that catered to celebrities and royalty, two Michelin-star restaurants, and an afternoon tea salon with a one-year wait list.

It was not the kind of place that ever featured on my bucket list.

“I’m sorry, Abby,” Victoria said apologetically at my accusing expression. “It completely escaped my mind after what happened with the Council. All the important supernatural families in Amberford will be there. I intend for it to be your official introduction to our supernatural society.”

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