Benji’s brown eyes widened. “Yeah! I mean, you don’t have to ask me, I’m a guest.” He laughed. “This is your house.”
“I know being in a stranger’s home can be awkward, especially given our unusual circumstances, and I want you to be as comfortable as possible,” I said gently. I hoped I didn’t come across as insincere or overly polite - I truly wanted the best for Benji.
“Nah, not at all,” Benji replied. “I’m cool, don’t worry.” He lifted his glass. “This wine is really good, by the way. I was kind of afraid you drugged it or something, to be honest, but I seem to be okay so far.”
My hand flew to my chest in genuine shock. “Goodness, no. Please believe me, Benji, I am not that kind of man.”
He seemed surprised by my reaction. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh, um, I believe you, I’m just pretty anxious by nature, it has nothing to do with you. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Let’s put this behind us, then.” I smiled.
“Sure.”
I sighed, suddenly feeling restless. “Now where are those appetizers…”
As I turned to the kitchen door, Theo burst out of it with wide eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but was quickly cut off by the slamming of the other door on the platform above the kitchen.
There stood Margaret, and Adriel behind her wearing a slightly sheepish expression.
The air turned colder. Margaret’s eyes locked on to Benji, who instantly dropped the fork he was fiddling with. It clattered loudly against his plate.
Tense silence filled the entire hall.
Benji’s wide eyes flitted to me, begging for some kind of explanation or gesture of how to act. I nodded gently at him and hoped it would calm him down.
“Mother,” I said, breaking the quiet. “How good to see you.”
Adriel cleared his throat. “Yes, I informed mother of our guest. She insisted she come right away.”
Theo just stared at the floor. I assumed he had been on his way to warn me before Margaret showed up.
“I see,” I replied. “Mother, why don’t you come down and meet Benji while we wait for dinner?”
Margaret didn’t tear her eyes away from Benji as she descended the half-stairs to the main floor. I thought she would walk right up to him, but instead she sat neatly at the head of the table - her usual spot.
Benji shuffled uncomfortably in his seat.
“Uh, I think dinner’s ready,” Theo said. “I’ll go grab it.”
He must have realized Benji would be frightened and confused by the bats waiting on him, so I appreciated his help.
“Well, I suppose we’re sitting, then,” Adriel murmured. He took the seat opposite me as I sat next to Benji. Benji sat in Theo’s usual seat, but I didn’t think he would have a problem with that - we had more important things to deal with right now.
Benji glanced at Adriel, who he hadn’t been introduced to yet, but remained silent because of the uncomfortable tension in the air. There would be time for that later, if things with Margaret went decently.
The kitchen door thumped and Theo appeared with a large silver tray. For the four of us there was a single wine glass - he handed Margaret her glass right away - and for Benji there was a beautiful medium-rare steak, roasted vegetables and fragrant rice. Theo placed Benji’s food in front of him.
“Wow, this looks great,” Benji said, his brows raising. “I haven’t had a meal this nice since last Thanksgiving.” He glanced up as Theo handed Adriel and I our wine glasses. “But aren’t the rest of you gonna eat?”
I knew it probably wasn’t helping Benji’s suspicion, but there was nothing we could do about that. As vampires, we physically could not eat regular food without becoming ill.
“It’s custom in our home for only the guest to eat,” I said.
“Oh.” Benji seemed a bit unsure, but the temptation of the mouth-watering food was proving too great to resist.
“Please, eat,” I insisted.
“Okay,” Benji mumbled before digging in.
