The room settled into a comfortable silence as everyone began eating. The only sounds were the clinking of utensils against the plates and the occasional appreciative hum. Even the ever-expressive Krispin seemed to be lost in the flavors, savoring each bite.
A few minutes passed, and then Gael put down his fork, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I must admit, this dish is extraordinary," he remarked. "Zander was right; we might need to 'borrow' this recipe for the Fae realm."
Stephen chuckled. "If all diplomatic meetings had food like this, we'd probably have world peace by now."
Krispin smirked, "Or at least fewer hungry dragons."
I couldn't help but laugh at that comment, and even Zander, with all his earlier tension, let out a soft chuckle.
The atmosphere lightened momentarily with the banter, but then Gael's expression turned somber as he turned to Zander. "But, in all seriousness, Zander," he began, his tone carrying a weight of concern, "we've danced around the topic long enough. How were you injured, and who did this to you?"
Zander's face paled slightly, but he met Gael's gaze head-on before releasing a loud sigh.
“It was Daren and several vampires I had never met before, but I could tell they were evil. They reminded me of the Unseelie—dark auras.”
“Daren?” Stephan straightened in his chair. “But you were seeing him. Things were getting serious, or so I’m told. Hell, Doctor Rand even said he came by the infirmary to see you. She said he was very concerned.”
“He came by the infirmary?”
“He’s still here?” Colin and Zander asked at the same time.
“Oh, my god,” I said.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. He won’t get near you or Colin,” Zander said with a growl.
“No, it’s not that. I heard him. He was arguing with a woman. She mentioned his name. He was there,” I said, remembering when I ran into Zander’s room.
“If he attacked you, why would he come to your room?” Stephan asked.
“If?” Colin said, glaring at his Master.
Stephan raised his hand. “Poor choice of words, Colin. Of course, I believe Zander. But I’m wondering why he’d come to see him, act all concerned.”
“To finish the job.”
Krispin’s words hung in the air. Gael and Stephen stared at him in shock. Colin shifted closer to Zander, and I squeezed his hand. I didn’t want to think of what would’ve happened if the doctor had let him back to see Zander. Shit, I was with him. I could’ve died too.
Stephen released a loud breath. “You said others were with him. Were they a part of my coven as well?”
Zander shrugged. “I’d never seen them before. His friends here were stuck up, but these weren’t them.”
“Colin, you knew Daren from before, from his last coven. Has he always been like this?” Stephen asked.
Colin grimaced and bowed his head.
“That’s not important. The important thing is finding Daren now,” I said. I wasn’t going to make Colin relive that pain again.
“It is important. I need to know what caused Daren to do this,” Stephen replied.
“Because he’s a sadistic fucker,” Colin blurted.
Stephen’s eyes rounded. “He was like this and you didn’t tell me? Why? I allowed him in my coven.”
“Hey, it’s not Colin’s fault. Don’t blame him,” I said, standing from my seat.
Just who the hell did he think he was? How dare he try to blame Colin for anything. My mate went to hell and back.
“Because I was ashamed.”
