Cain looked at Sevette for a long moment.
There was no anger in his eyes, no open mockery, just a quiet, almost tired understanding. Then he slowly shook his head.
What a fool.
He did not speak it aloud, but the meaning was clear in the way his lips pressed into a thin line.
Around them, the laughter began to fade, though the amusement remained in the air like lingering perfume.
One of the noble vampires stepped forward, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve as he tilted his head toward Sevette.
"You say," he began slowly, his voice smooth and exaggeratedly polite, "that Madam Cornelia took your military token?"
Sevette blinked, still flushed, still confused.
"Yes," she answered stiffly, though her voice lacked the fire from before. "She took it."
She nodded absentmindedly, as if reaffirming her own words.
The noble's lips curved upward.
"Oh."
Another vampire stepped beside him.
"She took your military token," he repeated, as if savoring the phrase.
