Page 25 of Made

“Rita, you wear the magistrate robes well. I believe the office is making you cleverer.”

I frowned. “I think that’s more clever.” I was immediately sorry I’d had the bad manners to correct my host’s English. Especially since he’d been complimenting me. And even more especially since he had a much longer relationship with the language than I. Even though English wasn’t his native language, he was probably an authority.

“You are right.” He smiled. “As am I. Look it up.”

I didn’t have to. I knew if he challenged me, he was right. “No need. If that’s not a compliment, don’t tell me. I love the idea of being cleverer.”

“It was a compliment.”

“Well, then thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I will call the party Dancing in the Dark with subtext that reads Celebration of the Winter Solstice. I’ll also make sure there’s an abundance of festive greenery, red ribbons, and those silly little lights.”

“Fairy lights? Perfect.” I smiled. “So, you’re going all out I presume?”

He set his Royal Albert cup in the saucer and sat back. “You presume correctly. After all, the king and queen of Irish fae will be in attendance.”

“Yes. Well. Evie doesn’t like you. Normally I wouldn’t mention such a thing, but I know you’re aware.”

He laughed. “I am. Yes. I know they’re coming because of you and the Hallow Hill people. Nonetheless, I liked Evangeline before she was queen, and I like her now. I’m glad she’s coming.” Before I could comment on either his graciousness, or how good my kid’s name sounded when spoken with his accent, he pivoted to a new topic. “What are you wearing?”

“John David! When did you get to know me so well?”

“I’ve attended several Legendary Lunches in advance of soirees. I’d have to be called thick if I failed to observe that, for you, half the fun is dressing for the occasion.” After a brief bobblehead series of nods, he added, “Perhaps even more than half.”

“Oh. Well. I shouldn’t be monopolizing lunch conversation with my clothes obsession. How narcissistic of me.”

With a deep chuckle, he shook his head and said, “Hearing your excitement about gowns is a privilege. I spent far too much of my life in the absence of joy.”

“Do the parties bring you joy?”

“Not the parties themselves. I guess you could say I feed off the happiness of the people who come.”I must have had a funny look on my face because he said, “Did I put that badly?”

“Uh. No. I… I guess it took a minute to digest the idea of feeding off happiness. I mean there’s nothing wrong with that. Um. Technically.”

“Good. I’d hate to give it up.”

“Just don’t foster any more stray vamps.” I looked at my watch because the paradox of a vampire looking sheepish was just too much. “And don’t invite any werewolves.”

“Me? That’s rich. Don’t you invite any to follow you home.”

“I didn’t!” I protested.

Doubt was not an expression regularly seen on John David’s face and looked out of place with the vampire’s normal smug arrogance. “Maybe not in so many words.”

It was easy to foresee that the argument was folly so, taking a page from John David’s conversation style, I changed the subject altogether. “Do you think your new butler isreallynamed Jarvis?”

He laughed. “Of course not. I simply don’t see the point of bothering to learn a new name.”

I could think of no response beyond staring and blinking, which is unusual for me. Normally I can think of some response even if it’s brilliant blither.

After leaving John David’s estate, I went straight to Esme’s shop. Party talk triggered me to think about what I’d be wearing to a “Dancing in the Dark” party.Once I was focused on clothes, there wasn’t room for much else.

My first thought was dark-as-night navy velvet with a staved bodice and tons of navy tulle skirt dotted by starlike rhinestones. I’d wear it with my faux Tiffany diamond and look like a million bucks. Everybody at the party would know I could’ve had the real thing if I’d accepted their questionable ethics of acquisition. My friends might sometimes, accidentally, have hearts in the right place, but moral questions didn’t always factor into their decision-making. I supposed that was a big part of the reason why the Powers had decided on a human magistrate. Even the most evil humans get the concept of morality with the exception of genetic derangement.

I told Romeo to drop me, but not wait. He had a garage door opener and could park himself. I didn’t like keeping him outside unless it couldn’t be helped. His paint job was spectacular but subject to degradation by elements. I was probably overprotective because I loved seeing him look showroom new.

Without waiting for an invitation to access the private space in the rear, I hurried to the studio where I knew she’d be working. She was in the back, but instead of nose to the grindstone, she was rushing through the door. We almost ran into each other. Her cheeks were flushed with high color, eyes unusually bright.

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