Grassland Graces (2)

Stacy flinched at those words and she fell silent.

"Is that so?" she asked.

"Yes, lift your head up and correct your posture." Drusilla said. "That is no way how a Vardoken should treat herself. Your ancestors had far more spirit than you."

"I see… my apologies for lacking the necessary attitude for it."

Her response was painful enough that even Lukas didn't know what to say.

He thought it was an honor to be acknowledged by an ancient Vampire–and yet for someone like Stacy, it was probably like a punch to the gut. If he could have elbowed Drusilla now to make her stop, he would have.

"Well, I think that's enough conversation in one night." Lukas said. "Go away, Drusilla."

"I haven't even lectured you for your insolence–"

"And there we go."

It was hard at first, but if Lukas concentrated and put his mind to it–the dagger vanished all at once to the amazement and concern on Stacy's face.

"Are you sure that it's alright?" she asked. "She sounded really upset."