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“No, I didn’t have trouble finding your place, Mr. Lacroix,” Violette said. “Your building really stands out, actually. It’s the only one on the block that’s not neo-Gothic. There’s not a lot of architectural variety in this city.”

“I’ve noticed,” Corin said, eyes trailing to the dish in Angela’s arms. “What’s this now?”

“Violette brought something for the meal,” Angela replied. “It’s her mother’s recipe.”

“That aroma is so familiar.” Corin moved closer and lifted the lid. His eyes widened. “Wait, are these sarmale?”

“What are sarmale?” Angela asked.

“They’re cabbage rolls filled with rice and minced beef and pork,” Corin explained, an excited look on his face. “It’s a Romanian dish. Well, Turkish originally, but we Romanians perfected the recipe. I haven’t had sarmale in so long. What a delight! I can’t wait to …” Corin’s elated expression faltered, then wilted.

“Uncle Corin, what’s wrong?”

He just remembered we can’t taste human food, Ezekiel sent, giving Corin a sympathetic look.

“Oh, nothing’s wrong,” Corin said, clearing his throat and feigning pleasure to hide his disappointment. “I can’t wait to have one.” He lowered the lid on the dish. “Thank you, Violette. This was very kind of you.”

Violette gave Corin a bashful smile. “This is so weird. My grandparents were from Romania, but I didn’t realize you were, too.”

Corin asked Violette a question in Romanian. Angela didn’t understand, as she only spoke French and English.

Violette gave Corin a blank look. “Sorry, I don’t speak Romanian very well. I was born and raised in Paris.”

Corin chuckled and switched back to English. “I’m sorry. I asked where in Romania your grandparents were from.”

“Oh, near Bucharest. You?”

“I was born in Sighișoara.” Corin gestured to the dining table. “Let’s all sit since everyone’s here now.”

Ezekiel clapped his hands. “Capital idea. That turkey looks absolutely mouthwatering.”

Jeez, I just realized how torturous this meal is going to be for you, Angela lamented to Ezekiel. I wish you and Corin could enjoy the food with us.

Don’t worry about Corin and me, Ezekiel sent, pulling a chair out for Angela. He then took the seat beside her. Spending the evening with such happy company gives us more than enough pleasure.

Corin pulled out chairs for Prudence and Violette across from Angela and Ezekiel, then poured glasses of white wine for everyone before taking a seat at the head of the table between Angela and Prudence. Dishes were passed around, starting with Violette’s sarmale. Corin took a deep sniff of his sarma and gave a wistful sigh. “This brings back so many childhood memories.”

Violette gave Corin a bashful smile. “I’m glad you like them.” She placed her napkin in her lap and rolled her sleeves up to just below her elbows, exposing a black cuff bracelet on her left wrist etched with an intricate tree design.

“I love your bracelet, Violette,” Prudence said.

“Oh, thank you.” Violette lifted her wrist. “My grandfather made it.”

“Is that iron?” Corin asked, sharing a look with Angela.

Violette nodded. “My grandfather was a blacksmith.”

“I see.” Corin steepled his fingers. “That etching is interesting. What sort of tree is that?”

“An ash tree.”

“Oh, like your surname,” Angela observed. “Dufrêne, ‘of the ash tree.’”

Prudence leaned in to give the engraving a closer inspection. “Oh, that’s so pretty. Wait, does the bracelet wrap all the way around? I don’t see a clasp.”

Corin cleared his throat and gave Ezekiel a look, rubbing his temple. Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed at the older man for a moment, as if he were concentrating. Then he nodded and looked to Angela. Corin says ash trees are used as protective symbols, he sent.

Angela sighed. Are either of you having an adverse reaction to Violette’s bracelet?

Ezekiel glanced at Violette’s wrist. Well, no, not right now.

Then it’s probably just a bracelet. Angela took a sip of her wine. I promise I will tell you if I feel any antagonistic feelings from Violette. Until then—

Yes, of course. Ezekiel touched Angela’s hand under the table. I’m sorry. I said before I would give Violette a chance, and so I will.

Thank you. Angela gave her uncle a stern look. Can you relay my opinion to Uncle Corin?

As you wish. Ezekiel locked eyes with Corin and focused. After a moment, Corin’s eyes widened a fraction, and he gave Angela an apologetic look and nodded.

“And then I just push that one tree branch in the etching when I want to release it,” Violette finished explaining, unlatching and relatching the bracelet for Prudence to see.

“Oh, so the clasp is camouflaged,” Prudence observed. “That’s so clever. Your grandfather was very talented.”

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