Could someone have put a "Banquet Bane" curse on him, just like the "Succubus Curse"?
Lying on the cold Sacrificial Altar, Annan sank into deep self-doubt. How else could he explain why none of the banquets he hosted ever went smoothly?
"You'd miss me? A 'rat'?" Maria emerged from her daze and flicked her long, hairless tail. "Or are you still upset that I ran away, Ratfolk Nemesis..."
"How can you say that?" A trace of hurt appeared in Annan's dark eyes. "I don't want to hurt you..."
"What about the McKennan Ratfolk?" Maria demanded. "Your warning in the Royal Capital cost them dearly."
"You're comparing them to yourself? How can the McKennan Ratfolk compare to the Stuen Ratfolk?"
McKinnon Rats? Just uncivilized vermin. Stuen Rats? Look at the Countess before him, or Della in Star-Moon Bay.
After a brief silence, some of the hostility seemed to leave Maria's voice. "Are you saying all this because you want me to spare you for old times' sake?"
"No. I just want to say there's been a misunderstanding between us..."
Annan's tender, wistful gaze brought back Maria's memories of their brief, happy time together a year ago. Her expression softened.
"What's going on, Maria?" A Ratfolk Priest appeared in the Dark Hall, leaning on a Spine Staff. "You two..."
"There must be some misunderstanding," Annan said, looking sincerely at the Priest from the Sacrificial Altar. "I mean Maria no harm."
"But you mean us harm."
"I only want to stop you from becoming enemies of humanity."
"Maria, is this the lying face he used to deceive you?" the Ratfolk Priest demanded of the silent Maria.
"No. My Star-Moon Bay has many residents of Foreign Races, including a Ratfolk... The Stuen Ratfolk are skilled at gathering intelligence. You must know that." Annan raised