I nodded and stepped out of his way. He walked in silence back to his chambers.
“I can’t believe she hit him,” Theo said, looking heartbroken. “I’m scared, Pierce.”
“I share the sentiment, Theo,” I told him with a grim expression. “But as she’s made it very clear, she doesn’t want our help, and we can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help herself.”
Theo sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“Now, since there’s nothing we can do about that particular situation, there’s no use wasting our energy on it,” I continued. “We have more to discuss. Namely, arranging a visit from Caleb.”
Benji’s face brightened up again. “Yes!”
It was worth it just to see the joy on his face.
* * *
The date was set,and Caleb was to visit our home the following night.
Margaret had not come out of her room since the incident with Adriel. It might have been safer to warn her in advance about Caleb’s visit, but it seemed like she didn’t intend to come out at all. In any case, my brothers and I would be there the entire time, just in case things did begin to go awry.
Benji was giddy with excitement. Theo shared his enthusiasm, as did I - out of the four of us, only Adriel seemed a bit apprehensive about the whole thing.
“It will be fine,” I had reassured him.
“I simply don’t know if it’s a good idea,” he’d argued, shaking his head. “With Margaret so unstable recently, is this wise?”
Truthfully, I didn’t know. But we couldn’t live our lives in fear of Margaret’s retaliation. If it would make my mate happy, I would go through any lengths.
Benji waited with a sigh by the door. “Is he even gonna be able to get through the gate?”
“There’s a surveillance system,” Theo explained. “See?” He pointed Benji to a small monitor by the front door that received input from a camera by the gate. “This way we see everyone who’s trying to come inside the front gates.”
Benji nodded, but still seemed impatient. “I should have known he’d be late… Wait, is that him?”
On the monitor, we saw a lithe male figure hesitantly approached the front gates. He tried to open the gates, and when he couldn’t, he looked around for a way inside.
“Well?” I asked.
“It’s him! Let him in!” Benji cried.
Theo cleared his throat and spoke over the intercom. “Welcome, Caleb!”
Caleb in the video nearly leapt into the air. “Ahh!”
“No need to worry. You’ve reached the right place. Simply walk up the driveway and we’ll meet you at the front door of the mansion.”
“Simplywalking up the driveway is easier said than done,” Benji muttered.
I turned around to Adriel, who was lurking behind us with his arms crossed. “Is Margaret still in her room?” I asked.
“Yes,” Adriel replied curtly. “She hasn’t left it since we returned from the hunt.”
The grey mark on his face had faded slightly, but was still visible. The blood-like matter beneath his skin had formed the vampire equivalent of a bruise in a human.
“Come on,” I said encouragingly. “At least try to be happy for Benji.”
“I am happy,” he said in a grumpy tone. “But it’s outweighed by my concern.”
I sighed and left him to his own devices. The fact that he was here with us instead of off sulking in his library alone was good enough for now.
