Page 19 of Shattered Magic
“If you think she’s worth meeting, yes.”
Livia was wearing a discreet black dress. Her pale blonde hair was loose and cascading down her back, hiding the same small scars that Hari had on hers. It was a species-specific thing, but Hari had no idea where hers had come from, let alone Livia’s.
They linked arms and walked toward Benny, and Benny’s eyes widened when she shook hands with Livia. “Wow. So, you have the same species in you as Hari does.”
“Yes. We know.” Livia smiled. “And you have one of mine.”
Benny cocked her head. “Elf?”
“It doesn’t show, but yes.” Livia smiled. “Well-spotted.”
“But the signature is so faint. How many generations back is it?”
“One. There have been complic—” Livia turned and stared at a gorgeous dark green man who was coming in with two young women holding onto his arms.
She casually reached into her purse and took out a small device.
Hari asked, “Livia, what’s wrong?”
“Until I tell you otherwise, my name will be Jill for the rest of the night. Please?” Livia looked at Benny and then at Hari. Both of them nodded.
Hari nodded. “Zerul knows your name, though.”
Benny smiled. “I can keep it from being spoken for the next hour. Is that enough?”
Livia smiled. “Perfect.”
They gathered around Benny, and there was a slight flare around her fingers as she cast the spell. Jill it would be.
Hari smiled and took her friend’s hand as Zerul brought the newcomers over.
Orvuul was the green man whose dominion was the great forest to the north. The two girls were Beth and Mary. They were plain humans and constant companions to the stunning elder male.
Orvuul looked the introduced Jill over when it was made clear that she didn’t have a male companion at the event. He offered to show her some of the mansion and return before the dinner.
To Hari’s shock, Jill walked off with him, giggling sweetly.
Zerul must have seen her shocked expression as she watched her friend. “Does she not normally walk off with strange men?”
“No. That is definitely not something she engages in.”
The two loose ladies had found their way over to Prolen, and he was having a very good night.
Orvuul had his hand on Jill’s lower back as they walked toward a statue garden or something.
Hari frowned. “I don’t know what is going on here, but it is not standard.”
Zerul asked, “Is she in danger?”
“I have no idea. I guess we’ll find out in an hour.”
“What happens then?”
“I am sure that she will let me know.”
Zerul wrapped her in his arms. “It seems that Prolen is getting some of the affection previously denied him.”
“Well, he seems like a standup guy for a vampire, so it is better that he isn’t stuck with Serel. Pretty sure she was a bitch since she came out of the womb.”