“The Mona Lisa,” Evelyn replied while purposefully leaving it vague.

“That’s a painting?”

Evelyn giggled, with her eyes positively glowing. She had no idea what a Georgian would know, but this saved her some explanation.

“It’s considered a masterpiece from Leonardo da Vinci. The woman has a suggestive smile, and there’s something in those eyes the casual onlooker can’t quite place. It gives her a sense of mystery, forcing the viewer to speculate which further draws them into the work.”

“M-m-m-me?” Breanna asked.

“Bien sûr,” Evelyn said. (Of course.) “You’d be perfect, but before that I’d have to get to know you…”

Evelyn knew that she was pushing a bit hard, but the potential was there. As a precaution, she would slow things down, and already had a reason lined up for doing so.

“Why’s that?”

“The Mona Lisa,” Evelyn replied while purposefully leaving it vague.

“That’s a painting?”

There was a suggestive smile on Evelyn’s lips which persisted even as Cecil approached quietly and left the bill of fare on the table.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Breanna said while appearing to be visibly warm.

“Aphrodite,” Evelyn said as though waking up from a dream.

“I don’t follow.”

“You’d be perfect for her!”

Breanna’s jaw figuratively dropped to the table. Evelyn imagined it splintering the wood as it slammed down.

“That was you?” Breanna said. “I pass it on the way to my lab(oratory)—room.”

That particular suite bordered the restricted area of The Grand and the wing open to the general public. The goddess chosen was not by accident, it detailed the purpose of the room. Other than drinking to excess and orgies.

“I’m glad it caught your eye,” Evelyn said.

There was a suggestive smile on Evelyn’s lips which persisted even as Cecil approached quietly and left the bill of fare on the table.

“You forgot to add a dick swinging between their legs.”

“What have you done so far?” Breanna said while trying to keep her cheeks from turning bright red. She’s positively scrumptious when she’s being herself.

“The statue of Artemis, tall and lithe goddess holding a bow pointed towards the sky.”

Those eyes appeared to bulge as those lips puckered. Breanna’s face was refreshingly emotive, and one of the reasons why she loved to form bonds with her prey. You rarely have an idea what our kind is truly thinking.

Male vampires must have tried to slip the woman a drop of blood or two. Others before her would have tried using their voice to nudge or outright control the Georgian.

That’s why Evelyn was speaking normally, and avoiding acting like a vampire. This was one of the few times that breathing and having a pulse gave her an edge.

“I’m the resident artist,” Evelyn said while motioning to Cecil that she wanted a menu brought over. “I paint, sculpt, and even work with bronze.”

“You?” Breanna took on a sharp breath once she realized her tone. “Sorry, I was expecting someone with muscles, and overalls.”

“You forgot to add a dick swinging between their legs.”

“You seem to be a regular?” Breanna asked after regaining a semblance of composure.

“Hmmm,” Evelyn said. “Three months now. How did you know?”

“You can’t dress like that and be a maid,” Breanna observed.

Evelyn smirked, enjoying the tiny tells that were giving her a clearer picture of who Breanna was. The notebook was work related, and she focused on it exclusively until Evelyn distracted her. Still, a part of Breanna was bored, yearning for something, but had no time to explore her interests.

The Georgian also had an eye for detail. Evelyn even suspected that Breanna already knew her name from passing conversations. I have to assume that blood or using my voice will have no effect.

“He’s a dark one…” the Georgian. “I’m game, miss?”

“Evelyn,” she replied. “Who do I have the pleasure of sharing a meal with?”

“Breanna,” the Georgian replied.

“Quite a fitting name,” Evelyn shot back before sitting on the opposing side of the circular booth.

Even the hint of a compliment made those cheeks flush with blood. I wonder if she’s aware of her sapphic inclinations.

That led to a further round of laughter to the point of bringing tears to their eyes. This gave Evelyn the opportunity to slip into the next part of her plan.

“Say,” Evelyn said after hiring her lower lip. “Have you eaten?”

On the table there were two bottles of that orange soft drink. The first was empty and the second was still mostly full, but humidity no longer clung to the surface.

“No,” the Georgian replied. “Weren’t you leaving?”

“That bartender gives me the heebie jeebies…” Evelyn said. “If I were with you, we could fend off the fellas and enjoy our meal.”

“Why must we suffer for our beauty?” Evelyn asked.

The Georgian huffed, as this was clearly a sore point for the lass. Evelyn had to be careful here, and was ready to pivot if this went nowhere.

“We both know the reason,” The Georgian replied.

Evelyn giggled, every sound rolling off her tongue as though it was a musical instrument. It proved to be infectious as the lass soon joined in.

When Evelyn began to make a M sound the other joined in.

“Men!” They said in unison.