"Damn Meryn, you look amazing." Eva said, shaking her head at the change.
Beth tilted her head. "Where did that hairstyle come from?"
Meryn shrugged. "This is how it looks after I get out of the shower and brush it, before it whacks out and get curly. I always thought it looked stylish."
Beth frowned. "I miss your spiky curls."
Meryn shrugged and yawned. Her outfit wavered for a second between evening glam and Pikachu pajamas.
"Don't you dare!" Beth shrieked.
The image stopped and Meryn was still dolled up. "Didn't you take a nap while we were gone?" Eva asked.
Meryn shook her head. "I can't sleep. I haven't been able to sleep since arriving."
Eva looked around. "Where are the twins?"
"Micah swung by and picked them up. They've been working on houses up on Level Six. I heard that the vendors found out what happened and donated a lot of house stuff. I think the first set of families should be moved in by now." Meryn smiled. "They even impressed Declan by redesigning the housing layout. The houses are being built in quads creating mini courtyards where the buildings meet. Nigel said that the kids would need a safe place to play."
Eva felt relieved. The sooner the pack could get into housing and return to a semblance of normal the better.
Beth reached down and helped Meryn to stand. "I heard that the pack is organizing a barbecue to get to know their neighbors better. The vendors are excited, it's been decades since they've had any type of a party."
Eva couldn't help but smile. "I hope your vampire vendors are ready for a good ole Texas barbecue."
Beth winked. "I think maybe that's exactly what they need." She turned to Meryn. "You up for tonight? You don't have to use your gift if you don't want to."
"What's this about her gift?" Eva asked.
"You mate Adriel suggested that Meryn use her empathy during the formal dinners to get a better sense of who supports Uncle." Beth looked over at Meryn, worry clearly visible on her face.
"How do you feel about that, Meryn?" Eva asked. She knew Adriel wouldn't have suggested such a thing unless it was absolutely necessary. He had witnessed how much people's pain had affected the small human and understood the price she paid. Determining these families' loyalties must be vital.
Meryn shrugged. "I can't really control it. I look at someone and sometimes I just know I don't like them. Then there are times I meet someone and I know I'll like them, like with you and Stefan."
That surprised Eva. "Stefan?"
Meryn nodded. "He's honest. He says exactly what he's feeling; I like that."
"Yup. That's Stefan all right."
Beth turned to them. "Are you ready, ladies?"
Meryn grinned. "Bring on the hotties!"
Eva laughed. The dinner might end up being awkward and political, but with Meryn there, it sure as hell won't be boring.
*****
"She is still staring," Javier BelleRose said, pointing to Meryn.
Eva had to admit, it was getting kinda creepy. Meryn had been staring at the head of the BelleRose house for at least ten minutes.
Aiden growled and nuzzled her neck. Meryn absently swatted at him. "But he's so pretty."
Javier's mate, Marie, raised her napkin to her mouth and laughed. Everything the woman did was elegant. "You are very pretty, darling," she teased her mate.
The older vampire actually blushed. "Well, thank you, I suppose. Though I do not hold a candle to your beauty, my love." Marie smiled.
Eva could practically see the love between the couple. Simon Géroux and his mate, Leana, were no different, though there seemed to be a sadness around Simon and his mate.
"I guess I am just a chopped liver in comparison," Simon joked.
Meryn turned her head to stare at him. "You're like warrior hot. Like if shit was hitting the fan, I'd totally duck behind you," Meryn said sincerely.
Beth covered her face with her hands as Simon blinked. He frowned, and then his lips twisted before he burst out laughing. "Gods, I needed that! Thank you, Meryn. Considering how many from my line have become unit warriors, I will take that as a compliment."
Meryn frowned. "Didn't it sound like a compliment?"
Leana smacked her mate on the shoulder. "Of course it did dear, do not mind him. We have both had a long day."
A long awkward silence filled the room. Everyone looked around, smiling nervously.
"Is that because one of your peeps might have gone bat shit crazy and exsanguinated two of the refugees?" Meryn asked bluntly, looking around the table in an air of innocence.
Eva watched as Beth and Magnus' eyes bulged. Aiden's mouth dropped, and beside her, her mate tensed.
Simon's eyes widened, and he looked around as if unsure of what to say. Leana, however exhaled and leaned back in her chair. "Thank the Gods! I thought we would be eyeball deep in elephant shit before someone pointed out the elephant in the room."
Meryn grinned. "I like you."
Leana laughed. "I think I am going to adore you as well. Such a breath of fresh air. I was dreading coming tonight, unsure of how we would be received, but your honest reaction is most welcome."
Marie glared at Leana. "You did not have to be nervous all by yourself. If you were concerned about tonight's dinner, you should have come to me, you know we support you."