"My deepest gratitude for your invitation."
Evelyn returned the greeting with a polite smile.
"We appreciate your willingness to come."
"I imagine you do."
His smile widened slightly.
"After all....there aren't many races willing to involve themselves in something this dangerous."
Kaelra quietly clicked her tongue.
"Get to the point, Shade."
The Noctari slowly turned toward her.
"My. It appears Lady Kaelra is still as... wonderfully patient as ever."
"I'm patient enough," Kaelra smiled.
Neither of them looked amused. Sue stepped forward before the atmosphere could sour any further.
"It has been many centuries, Lord Shade."
"It has."
The Noctari leader gave her a courteous nod.
"And yet your beauty remains untouched by time."
Sue smiled politely.
"So does your talent for saying exactly what people wish to hear."
"One survives by cultivating useful habits."
Only then did his gaze slowly drift toward me.
