Oathtaker

Then she turned her attention back to Dixon, a smile fixed upon her lips, her head tilted. “Dixon, so good to see you, too.”

She glided toward him, her red silken skirts flirting about her. She was stunning, with hair like gilded gold, eyes of a deep green, and lips red and glossy. An almost sickeningly sweet scent, reminiscent of roses and lilies, surrounded her.

Dixon desperately wanted to see the reactions of the men to whom she’d spoken, but he dared not give her any inkling of his suspicions. Keeping his eyes fixed on her, he grasped just above her wrists to best keep her at a distance.

He turned to Ted and Faith. With Lilith unable to see his expression, he caught the eye of each of his friends for a moment, his brow raised by way of warning.

“Lilith,” he said as he turned back to her, “let me introduce you to some friends of mine. Ted,” he began, as he stepped aside.

Lilith approached Ted. Accustomed to having great power over men, her every movement was choreographed for maximum effect, for conquest: eyes narrowed, but not too much; lips pursed, but not too much; chest breathing hard—but not too much.

Ted shook her hand. Covering his with her own, she ever so slightly caressed it . . . but not too much.

Ted glanced at Dixon, who surmised his friend had read Lilith expertly, then looked back at her. “Pleased to meet you.” He bowed slightly.

“No. No, it’s my pleasure,” she responded, holding out on the word “pleasure.”

“Faith,” Dixon said, “let me introduce you to Rowena’s sister, Lilith, a sixth.”

As Lilith greeted Faith, he looked at Ted, and with quiet gestures, filled him in on what he’d just discovered. His eyes moved quickly to Lilith, then to the men who’d barged into sanctuary behind her, then back again.

With a nod, Ted communicated his understanding. “Please excuse me,” he said, “I must see to my duties.” He exited sanctuary from the back door.