Victor realized he had said too much in the same instant.
Not because he regretted it.
But because the three women stopped.
Scarlet, who had been lying in his lap, slowly opened both eyes. Carmilla raised her head from his shoulder. Serafall uncrossed her arms.
The room went quiet.
Victor looked at one. Then the other. Then his mother.
"Ah."
Scarlet jumped out of his lap. Carmilla stood at the same time, and Serafall took a step forward with an expression Victor knew well. It was the same expression she made when he was a child and tried to hide something broken behind his back.
Except now there was a difference.
They were not looking as if they were going to fight him.
They were looking as if they were going to kill someone.
"You said werewolf?" Serafall asked.
"Did I?" Victor tried.
Scarlet smiled without humor.
"You did."
Carmilla snapped her fingers.
"And you said ring."
Victor looked at his hand.
