The temptation to take, to bend the newcomers mind to her will was a subtle, addicting thing.  It drew her more deeply into his mind where she could read more of his pure, unfiltered thoughts and emotions before she was completely aware of what she was doing.  She tasted him like a fine wine, testing the depths she could reach with a subtle and surprisingly gentle probing that he would barely notice before she withdrew without pushing further, settling into his surface thoughts like a warm blanket simply so that he would not forget her presence.<br/><br/>“I couldn’t agree with you more Anthony, it is not the outer appearance of a person that truly shows who they are, I think we may know that better than most,” she purred, aware that her reference would go over Alex’s head.<br/><br/>She turned her attention towards Alex once more, that small half smile on her lips that meant she was thinking something that involved him, though she likely wouldn’t tell him what it was if he asked.  “I think perhaps you should find a piece that speaks to you Alex, my treat this time,” she said, kissing his cheek once more before she let him go and walked around them to kiss Anthony’s cheek as well.  “I will find you both shortly, I need to mingle a bit more before I can devote my attention to the two of you, wouldn’t want to appear rude.”<br/><br/><em>Use the time wisely young one…</em>the thought slid into Anthony’s mind with ease, taking no effort on her part  as she turned and walked into the crowd, greeting a couple by name as she laughed and mingled effortlessly.  The space gave Anthony time to gather his wits more fully, and as her presence faded into the background he could feel the others, those unseen and unheard who watched and listened, caught much more deeply in Victoria’s web than Anthony and Alex found themselves to be.<br/>