American English as flawlessly as I could.
âGeorgina.â
âGeorgina? Not Josephine or Hiroko?â
âGeorgina,â I reiterated.
âVery well then, Georgina . Let me see you. Turn around.â
I spun around, like a model, letting him get the full effect of this body. When I faced him again, he nodded with approval.
âExquisiteânot that Iâd expect any less from you. Short, just like every other one, but the curves are in all the right spots, and the coloring is very nice.â He leaned closer to me, studying my face with a professional eye. âThe eyes I especially like. Catlike. How long have you been wearing this one?â
âFifteen years.â
âBarely broken in.â
âWell,â observed Hugh dryly, âit sort of depends on how you define âbroken in.ââ
Bastien and I both turned, remembering we had an audience. The other immortals watched with bemusement, the poker game momentarily forgotten. Bastien turned on a highbeam smile and crossed the room in a few quick strides.
âBastien Moreau.â He extended a polite hand to Hugh, every inch of him polished and deferential. Incubi, after all, have just as good a sense of customer service and public relations as succubi. âItâs a pleasure to meet you.â
He made equally polite introductions with the rest of the group, pausing momentarily when he reached Carter. A brief flicker of surprise in Bastienâs dark eyes was the only other indication that he found an angel in our midst odd. Otherwise, his surface charm remained perfect as he smiled and shook Carterâs hand.
Although clearly surprised at Bastienâs presence, Peter stood up dutifully. âHave a seat. You want a drink?â
âThank you. Youâre too kind. Bourbon on ice, please. And thank you for allowing me to show up so unexpectedly. You have a stunning home.â
The vampire nodded, mollified at someone finally appreciating his hospitality.
I, however, had other concerns and wondered what had caused the incubus to âshow up so unexpectedly.â I suddenly remembered Jeromeâs taunting surprise. âJerome knows youâre here, doesnât he?â
âOf course. Long since arranged.â Our kind could not cross into anotherâs territory without making arrangements with the local supervisor. For a group that had allegedly rebelled against the system, we had a staggering amount of rules, regulations, and paperwork. We made the IRS look juvenile. âHe told me where to find you tonight.â
âAnd youâre here because . . . ?â
He flung a playful arm around me. âYouâre pushy. No âHello, how are youâ? Canât I just stop by to see an old friend?â
âNot in this business.â
âHow long have you known Georgina?â asked Hugh, shifting his solidly built body into a more comfortable sitting position.
Bastien turned thoughtful. âI donât know. How long has it been? Ages?â
âYou have to be a little more specific than that,â I reminded him, my mind slipping back to a London of long ago, recalling rough-hewn streets redolent with the scent of horses and unwashed humans. âEarly seventeenth century?â He nodded, and I let my tone turn teasing. âMostly I just remember how green you were.â
âI have no idea what youâre talking about.â
âWhatever. I taught you everything you know.â
âAh, older women.â Bastien glanced around at the others, shrugging his shoulders with feigned haplessness. âAlways so sure of themselves.â
âSo, explain how this works,â Cody urged eagerly, young eyes on Bastien. âYouâre like the male equivalent of Georgina, right? You shape-shift and everything?â Having been an immortal for less than ten years, Cody was always learning something new about us. I realized heâd probably never