Valerian Cross 18  

 

"For someone so small, you eat like ten people."

 

"You know," Evelyn said between bites, "when you live as long as I have, the only things that bring real joy anymore are good food and good pranks." She paused dramatically, then leaned back in her chair, hands on her chest. "And besides, haven't you noticed these?"

 

She gave a deliberate bounce, her cleavage nearly spilling out of her dress.

 

Valerian turned away so fast he nearly knocked over his drink, his ears burning red. "I shouldn't have asked."

 

Evelyn smirked, biting back a laugh. That reaction—those red ears—was far too familiar. She had seen it before.

 

Han Feng, Alexander Vale . . . They had the same flustered expressions when embarrassed. And their eyes . . .

 

Her smirk faded just slightly as an old thought whispered through her mind.

 

Coincidence?

 

Or something far more interesting?