"Hello, Victoria," Lilith said, her voice now audible in the room rather than just in Alex's mind. "I've heard a great deal about you. It's lovely to finally speak directly."
Victoria froze as the shimmering outline pulled itself together out of thin air, forming the translucent shape of a woman too impossibly flawless to be anything human. Her breath caught... just once... before instinct had her grip the sheet... a little tighter.
She stared, her expression cycling through shock, fascination, and then... characteristically... strategic assessment.
"You're... Lilith?" Victoria said slowly.
Her gaze flicked instinctively to Alex... as if confirming he was seeing the same impossible apparition she was.
Lilith's lips curved, dazzling and dangerous at once.
"The one and only," she purred.
"And I suppose we should finally do this properly… though I already know you better than you know yourself."
A wink... light, teasing... yet somehow more intimidating than any threat.
