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“Of course, madam!” was the immediate response and several waiters hastened to obey.

All eyes were on Astir as she strode elegantly toward my table.

I looked sharply at Adem to see he was unaffected by this great change in Astir’s attire and apparent gender.

“Countess Dracula! How lovely you look!” Astir greeted me with swift pecks on the cheek. “It’s so dreadfully warm in here. Atrocious! We must get more air! The night is so lovely!”

I could not help but gaze upon the fallen angel preening in her beautiful gown and fluffing up her skirts. All eyes were on her and she smiled mischievously at a young man as he raised his glass to her.

“How lovely to see you, Lady Astir,” I said, almost choking on the words.

“I’m so sorry I could not join you at an earlier date, but there is so much drama going about! You know how it is,” she said with a wink.

A crystal glass of champagne was set before her and she smiled graciously at the waiter.

“Stop staring, darling. You mouth is hanging open,” she chided me, reaching out to gently raise my chin so my lips would come together. Her glove smelled like jasmine and was soft against my flesh.

“You have changed a bit since I saw you last,” I ventured.

“Oh, I know,” she admitted, fanning herself. “But that is what one must do to keep those around them on their toes. ”

Leaning forward, I said in a softer tone, “Truly, Astir? Is this what this is all about? To make people uneasy when they are around you?”

“Au contraire, my darling one. People are not so on edge around a beautiful woman as they are when about a tall, imposing man. ” Astir smiled sweetly. “Sometimes events warrant that I take on a more delicate persona. Besides, I look fabulous, don’t I?”

“Despite you being a man dressed as a woman, I suppose,” I said snappishly, disturbed at how easily Astir had become a woman in my eyes.

“I am neither, yet I am both,” Astir corrected. “Therefore, I can dress as I please. Ah, look at your pout. Coming from such a worldly woman. Perhaps I should kiss it and make it better!”

I glowered at her. “Don’t you dare!”

Astir threw back her head and laughed. She was beautiful in that moment with the diamonds in her jewelry sparkling against her creamy skin. I was surprised to feel afraid.

“I do so like you,” Astir said with vehemence. “So very much. ”

“Then if you like me so much, why did it take you so long to respond to my request for a visit?”

“Oh, that!” Astir waved her fan. “I was dealing with. . . as I said. . . drama. ”

“Does it concern the man who assaulted us on our return to Buda?”

Rolling her eyes, she dismissed my words with the flick of her fan. “That is very old and boring news. ”

“Is it really?”

“Of course! I don’t understand why you wish to prattle on over such a minor event. ”

“Then what sort of drama has consumed you?” I could not fathom what was afoot at this time with the vampire hunters gone from the city and apparently Vlad’s assassin being of no consequence. Then a thought occurred to me. “Katya? Is she causing trouble?”

Astir snorted with contempt. “Of course! She hasn’t stopped complaining that she wants to be with you. The haven does not have a vampire presence at this time due to all the trouble with the vampire hunters so all she does is mope about. It’s considerably annoying. ”

I laughed with delight at the thought of someone annoying Astir as much as she annoys me. The tension I had felt from her unexpected appearance alleviated and I took a small sip of the coffee that had been set before me. It tasted dreadful.

Astir raised her eyes heavenward as I giggled. “Oh, I am so very pleased you are amused. You brought the scourge of Katya upon me. ”

“Actually, your guard did. Not all are as wise as Adem. Enre certainly proved that to be true.

Astir’s expression grew sly as she glanced at Adem who lingered at a nearby table. “Oh, he is not so wise at times. I could tell a tale or two about our dear little Adem. ”