Damali blinked twice, confused, but went with whatever had freaked out the female vamp. "It's nothing," she said as calmly as possible. Then she noticed the shocked expression on McGuire's face.
"And she says it's nothing?" Evelyn looked up and glanced at her husband. "Harold, why didn't you tell me he'd made her a female master?"
"Councilman," the Aussie master said, his eyes wide with amazement, "I thought you made her before you descended..."
Carlos shot Damali a glance that told her to stay calm. Play it. Work it.
Damali reached over and smoothed the long, silky blond hair off Evelyn's shoulder. Just the touch alone seemed to stir her. "Darling, of course he did. It was mortal combat, we were both armed to the teeth, and I went down with my blade swinging. I'd nearly bled out." She paused, sensing the vamps' interest in the tale.
"But I'm no amateur," Damali said casually, leaning in close enough to Evelyn to nearly touch Evelyn's nose with hers, "and that's why from time to time I can project Neteru for my husband, or seem so close to human that it could confuse the unaware. I'm sorry that I upset you." Damali drew back, cast a loving glance at Carlos. "I will try to be more considerate, though. But bear with us, we're newly mated, and he so enjoys those memories of the night he turned me."
Evelyn had placed her hand over her heart.
"Mistress Rivera," she said her glance nervous as it flitted between her husband and Carlos back to Damali, "my deepest apologies for my behavior last night. I assure you it will never happen again."
"I will make up the offense my wife has caused," McGuire said, low in his throat. "She wouldn't be sitting here at breakfast, had I known how generous your husband truly is."
The Aussie stood and walked away from the table. Damali raised an eyebrow, and gave Carlos a provocative pout. "I know you fellas have much to discuss in order to strategize for the hunt. Why not let Evelyn and me have some time for girl-talk?"
Carlos gave her a slow nod. She could feel his tension as he stood and left the room.
"I am so sorry," Damali said, leaning in to whisper to Evelyn.
"Whatever for, Your Majesty?" Taken aback, Evelyn's eyes widened with surprise.
"Last night... I know Harold probably was a bit..."
"I should give you my throat," she said, laughing. "It's been quite some time since my Harold has been like that."
Okaaaay. "Well, then, there's no reason for us to have anything between us," Damali said. "Good."
Damali tried to keep from jumping out of her skin when Evelyn's hand gently slid up her forearm. The touch was so delicate, yet so sensual that for a moment all she could do was look down at it. It felt like cool silk had slid against her skin, and the sensation stirred every erogenous zone on her. She'd expected the touch to be cold or clammy - after all, the woman was dead. Was that what male vampires experienced at a female vamp's touch? she wondered. Valuable info.
There was a slight tremble in Evelyn's fingers as she moved them up to Damali's shoulder. Her lovely cat's eyes held a question; moonlight caught the barest hint of fang and made it glisten.
"You're so warm," Evelyn purred. "No wonder you drive him insane."
"Like I said," Damali whispered, trying to stay in character and not bug out, "there's no problem between you and me, now that we understand each other."
"Nothing has to be between us," Evelyn murmured. "Not even husbands."
Damali forced herself not to shrug off Evelyn's touch. Instead, she smiled. "Do you like him?" she asked, referring to Carlos.
Evelyn continued to caress Damali's shoulder. "He took an Isis in the chest for you?"
"Not completely," Damali said, shrugging casually to get Evelyn's hand off her. "My attack was off, he snatched the blade, but I still had my dagger, and when he pulled me to him, he got branded with it. Then he tore out my throat."
"How do you stand it?" Evelyn whispered, leaning in.
"I could allow you a night with him... now that we're friends."
Evelyn stared at her in disbelief, tears beginning to glisten in her eyes. "Mistress - "
"Damali."
"Damali," Evelyn murmured, close enough to Damali's face now to take her mouth. "What does pure Neteru do to him... any of them? I only experienced what the fragrance transforms them into. But an actual blood siphon would allow me to truly experience it."
It took everything in her not to knock the female vamp to the floor. She had to remember to play this like Carlos had told her. Mix a good lie in a whole lotta truth, but always get something out of the deal. "If you siphon me, as a female, it will have an adverse effect on you."