"Virgin Mary?" Elvi asked. She wasn't sure, but suspected it wasn't the drink she
thought it would be.
"Blood of virgins," the woman informed her. "Very rare, very expensive, and very
delicious."
"Oh. Thank you." Elvi managed a smile. She'd noticed a difference in the taste of blood
over the years, some were sweeter, some were more robust, some slightly bitter,
some thin and almost watery tasting. But it had never occurred to her that the blood
of a virgin would taste different than a non‐virgin. It made her wonder what the blood
of a virgin would taste like. She'd probably had it at least once in five years, but
wouldn't know by the flavor. Elvi supposed she'd find out soon enough, though, then
frowned as she noted the way the woman was raising her eyebrows at Victor.
"Well, hello Mr. Argeneau. You're running a little late, aren't you?"
"Am I?" he asked with apparent confusion.
"Well, the rest of the tribe got here an hour ago," the waitress explained.
Elsie saw the panic cross Victor's face, but he asked carefully, "The tribe?"
"Etienne and Rachel, Lissianna and Greg, Thomas, and Lucian, and some girl I've never
seen before that they called Leigh." She shrugged and continued, "But if you were
expecting to meet up with them, I'm afraid you're too late. They already left."
"What a shame," he murmured, but Elvi got the distinct impression he wasn't sorry to
hear this at all.
"So, what would you have to drink?" the waitress asked when he didn't comment
further.
"Most of the people she mentioned are relatives of Victor's, his niece and nephews
and their mates," Harper murmured as Victor gave his order. "I don't know who this
Leigh is, but Lucian is head of the council and Victor's older brother."
"His older brother?" Elvi asked with disbelief, finding it hard to believe there was
anyone older than Victor.
"He is one of the oldest," Harper said with a nod. "Lucian and his twin brother Jean
Claude were among the very few survivors who fled Atlantis."
"Atlantis. Right," Elvi murmured, recalling their explanation of the nanos and where
they originated.
"Would you care to dance while we wait for our drinks?" Harper asked once the
waitress had finished taking their orders and left the table.
For some reason, Elvi's gaze shifted to Victor before she answered. His expression was
completely indifferent and she was reminded that he had apparently lost interest in
her. Forcing a bright smile, she nodded and got to her feet. "I'd like that."
Elvi had always loved to dance, fast dancing, slow dancing; she loved it all and hadn't
done it in ages. That and the fact that Victor was completely ignoring her, his attention
seeming always to be on another table or just moving around the club, encouraged her
to avoid the table and dance most of the night away. As long as she was on the dance
floor, she didn't have to feel hurt that he was being so distant with her. And could
pretend she didn't notice when he slipped away for half an hour.
Elvi danced with all the men but Victor. Edward was very good at salsa. Alessandro was
the best of them at fast dancing. Harper was efficient at them all, but it was Victor she
really wanted to dance with and the only one who didn't ask her.
Despite her wounded feelings, Elvi had a good time, but she was also relieved when
Harper caught her yawning and decided it was time to go. It was only two A.M, but
she'd been up early again that day, rising at ten A.M. to work on the pies.
Aside from that, her feet were aching, her body weary, and she'd definitely had too
much to drink. The Virgin Mary had only been the first of many. Every time Elvi had sat
down, it seemed one of the men had a new drink for her to try. She'd had High Times,
Wino Reds, and various other drinks she later found out were supplied by donors on
some high or other.
Personally, Elvi would've preferred to stick to Sweet Tooth's and drinks of that ilk. She
didn't care for the woozy feeling the other beverages gave her and was just glad she
was dancing the worst of the effects away… or so she'd thought. However, when she
stood to leave after finishing her last drink at the end of the night, Elvi found herself a
little unsteady on her feet.
The walk back to the helicopter seemed farther than the walk from it had been, but
Elvi got there all right and settled between Harper and Victor with a little sigh of relief.
It seemed they'd barely taken off when her eyes began to droop from a combination of
overfeeding and the substances in the drinks. She soon let her eyes droop closed, and
relaxed in her seat.
"She's asleep," Harper murmured when the helicopter landed and Elvi didn't stir from