Something Immortal

28: The House of Rosenkrantz Part Three

This woman really knows how to discuss her crush in a way that annoys the other even more. She didn't hold back with her admiration, and Som was beginning to think that he wouldn't be getting any information from her and decided to move on. He was pondering on how to get out of the situation until their conversation took an interesting turn.

Banshee or not, Som could tell that she was the type of person that always wanted to be the center of attention. An odd thing to conclude since, at first sight, Som didn't think of it that way. The version of the banshee he read in the novel were enigmatic, spiritual beings that had connections with the otherworldly.

"You're an odd one for a lamiae," she suddenly pointed out, touching the hem of the collar of his robe. "I couldn't help but think that you must be new to this profession."

Som made an uncomfortable laugh. "My lady, I'm not your typical one."

"That, I agree. So, it's my turn to ask. How many guests does someone like you usually entertain?"

"Someone like me?"

"Well, you're kind of cute for a lamiae. The cutest one I've ever seen. I bet you're getting a lot of requests?"

Hearing this, Som wanted to take his time looking for a mirror just to see his disguise. On the other hand, he also wondered how this woman picked him. How did Ninian produce a photo of him for this woman to make her choice?

"An average number," he answered, almost choking on his lie.

Lavinia smiled. "What a humble person you are."

"Do you usually frequent this place?" More like he wanted to ask how desperate this woman was for attention to visit a place like this.

"Not as much. I like places like this. Talking to strangers and sharing my daily conundrums in life eases the weight a bit."

Som quickly took this as a sign, an opening to get intel. "I'm happy that well-known people such as yourself enjoy our company," he begins.

"Why not? Lamiae is good at keeping secrets, and secretive places are always thrilling."

"They say that lamiae thrives in people's secrets. Any of it true?" She returned this question with a smirk.

"You can say that. Even the so-called righteous ones have a secret they wouldn't want to leak."

Her eyes lit up when she heard this. And as much as Som wanted to hold on to his pride, he also acknowledged that Kali was right about this. If you want people to talk to you, you need to let them think you have what they want...

This sudden exchange did fascinate her, as she crossed her leg on top of the other, leaned slightly forward, then put her chin under her palm and the elbow on her leg. Som was amused that she found pleasant delight in gossip.

"So, care to share whose the frequent righteous you are referring to? You don't need to reveal their name, and their race would be enough."

Ah well, here goes nothing. He felt bad that if any of this came out, patrons would think that lamiae couldn't be trusted anymore. But who the fuck cares? He told himself. He wasn't going to return to this place anyway.

"Well, I can't also tell you which race, but I could hint that some of them are employees of the Arcane Academy..."

At the mention of the place, Lavinia's eyes widened, and Som could only imagine that she might be rolling her eyeballs if ever she had one. "Say no more," she spoke. "People in that institution like to think they're morally disciplined. Respectful of others—bah! A bunch of hypocrites, if you ask me."