As far as Cainites went, Diana was relatively young. Hardly a neonate. More like an ancilla. She wasn't sure how much leverage that would give her, but she'd use everything in her arsenal.

"I met Stefan when he was just a baby," she said. "Must have been around 1864. I don't know. I'm not great with dates." A lie. But it made her sound older. "Back in Virginia."

Her fingers ran along the fringe of her wig. And for a second, she heightened her senses again. Somewhere out back, she could hear Denise and Christine talking in hushed tones. No sign of trouble yet. That was good.

But Diana caught a whiff of blood, suddenly.