Cassandra opened the shop door, and the bell jingled above her head.
“I’m sorry, we’re closing now,” came a voice from the back.
Cassandra ignored it and continued into the shop.
An older woman peeked around the corner. “I’m sorry, madam, but we are closed for the evening. We’ll reopen again tomorrow.”
Doing what she did best, Cassandra gave the woman her warmest smile. “I’m a friend of Sabine’s. I’ve only come for a brief discussion.”
“A friend of Sabine’s?” the older woman repeated. She nodded, but did not look convinced. “I’ll let her know you’re here.”
“I’m not expecting anyone, Calliope,” Sabine said as she walked around the curtain to the front of the store. Her eyes lit on Cassandra. “Oh, Madam St. James, how unexpected of you to drop by. Did you not receive the shipment I sent to your house?” The woman never missed a beat. She kept her smile in place and her tone friendly as she would for any customer, but Cassandra could see congeniality never made it to Sabine’s eyes.
“I did,” Cassandra said. “Why don’t the two of us skip the pleasantries. I can certainly tell you don’t like me any more than I like you.”
“Very well,” Sabine said. “What do you want?”
“I want the fountain of youth.” She smiled and held a hand up to stop Sabine from denying anything. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. It’s your secret ingredient for your facial crème, is it not?”
“You hired the chemist,” Sabine said.
Cassandra shook her head. “Worthless man. He actually had the audacity to threaten me.”
“And you killed him,” Sabine said.
“He might not have figured anything out, but I’m no fool. I know you have it. And I want it.” She punctuated the last sentence by pulling out her pistol and aiming it at Sabine.
Sabine visibly swallowed, but showed no other sign of fear. “I see,” she said slowly.
“What did she want?” Calliope asked as she stepped around the drape, then stopped short when she saw the gun. “Oh, dear.”
“Calliope,” Sabine hissed. “Why did you not stay behind there?”
“It matters not,” Cassandra announced. “We’re all going back together. Come along, ladies, nice and slowly.”
Together, Sabine and the old woman walked into the storeroom, with Cassandra close behind. She couldn’t help but notice Sabine’s dress and her worn shoes. The woman was beautiful, Cassandra could tell that much, but her apparel did nothing to aid in her appearance. She also did not wear her hair in the appropriate manner. Instead of wearing her hair up as most women of good breeding did, she allowed her mahogany-colored locks to fall down her back in a cascade of waves. Highly improper. While her dress was not at the height of fashion, the green material fit the woman well, accenting her lush curves.
“I would think you would earn enough coin here to buy yourself some decent shoes and dresses,” she said disdainfully.
Sabine looked down at her feet. “I’m far too busy helping those with unfortunate complexions to go shopping.”
“You’ve got a cheeky mouth on you,” Cassandra snapped. “It’s not very becoming.”
“Have you come to give me lessons then? On how to be a courtesan?” Sabine asked.
The old woman swallowed a giggle, which infuriated Cassandra even more. “Shut up.” She glared at Calliope, then turned back to Sabine. “Are you having trouble satisfying Max in bed? Or perhaps you can’t lure him between the sheets at all.” She smiled. “I suppose I could pass along a few tips.”
Sabine’s brows pinched together. “Max is quite satisfied, actually.”
Cassandra felt her temper rise. Her ears grew hot, and her palms itched. She forced herself not to take the bait. The bitch was lying, and Max wasnotthe reason Cassandra was here.
“I don’t want to kill you, but I will. Now where is the fountain?”
“What fountain?” Calliope asked.
“She’s after the elixir,” Sabine said calmly, then faced Cassandra. “It’s not here.”
“What do you mean, it’s not here? Where is it?”