Page 53 of Blood that Burns

My head tilts to the side. “That’s... quite a mouthful.”

She shrugs. “Russian.”

As if that explains it.

“Wait... I thought your name was Ka-tee-na?”

“I shortened it.”

I pull my lips to the side. “It’s really not that much shorter.”

“You say potato and all that.”

I shake my head. This creature is batshit crazy, but I love her already.

“So, what can I do to help take down the auction?” I ask, steering us back to the more pressing topic.

“I’m so glad you asked.” An exotic woman practically flows into the room. She’s dressed to the nines and impossibly gorgeous.

“Maggie, meet Adèle Dupré.” Katina tips her head toward the beautiful woman.

“Please, ma chérie, call me Addy.” She leans down and places a kiss on both cheeks before gliding to a vacant chair.

The smell of what’s undoubtedly a very expensive perfume wafts around me. Adèle is wearing a black Chanel pantsuit, and her blond hair is twisted into a sophisticated knot at the nape of her neck. She screams wealthy.

“Reese, please. Join us.” It’s then I realize there’s another woman standing in the doorway. Her dark skin glistens under the overhead lighting as she steps into the room. I inhale sharply. If Addy is striking, this woman is breathtaking.

Her hair is wrapped around her head in intricate braids that pull it away from her face, leaving her ice-blue eyes to steal the show. I’ve never seen eyes that color in my life. They’re supernatural.

She bows slightly. “I’m Lucresse Villemont.” She stands tall and cuts a look to Adèle. “But this fool calls me Reese.”

Addy smiles wide, chuckling at her companion.

“Reese is a ballbuster. Don’t take her too seriously.”

My eyes roam over the woman’s face, trying to make out if she’s human, vampire, or something else entirely.

Lucresse’s lip curls. “I’m a witch, dear.”

My head jerks back. “H-how did you—”

She smiles. “I’m able to read expressions very well.”

Addy snorts. “Read expressions, my ass. She’s reading your mind, Maggie.”

This woman is nothing like I expected. She’s a complete contradiction to my initial judgment of perfectly poised and stuffy.

“It’s nice to meet you both.”

She tips her head down in acknowledgment. “So, where is your sister? We have much to discuss.”

I pucker my lips and look everywhere but at her. How does one politely say my sister could possibly still be in a toe-curling, moan-inducing state?

“She’s indisposed,” I say instead.

“With Julian,” Katina emphasizes with a vulgar gesture.

“Oh dear, that could be hours,” Addy whines. “We must have this talk without the Bellamy men.”