She stared up at the blond for several long moments, uncertain whether to be impressed or irritated. Finally, Maeve emitted a snort. It had taken so little effort to get the witch to produce a scene—and the language she elected was rather the icing upon the cake.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you speak as rankly as your circumstances would suggest," the redhead voiced. "Clearly it wasn't sweet words that brought my cousin 'round to your way of thinking. Perhaps it's in your best interests that you've stayed away—I'm among the warmer of our brood."