I folded my arms and gave Adriel a look, hoping he would behave himself in front of our guest.
“Are you, um…” Caleb shuffled, knitting his fingers together. “Are you A. T. Ainsworth?”
Adriel cast a sideways glance at Benji, who had obviously spilled the information, and let out a long sigh. Suddenly he seemed like a giant, old cat being swarmed by annoying playful kittens and I tried not to laugh at him.
“Yes, I am,” Adriel admitted.
Caleb nearly exploded. “Oh my god, I am yourbiggestfan! You have no idea what it means to meet you! I mean, how many people have met you? This is insane!”
“Wow, Adriel,” Theo teased. “Your sappy vampire books actually have fans?”
“Excuse me, but Abyss Blood Saga is only, like, the biggest hit of our generation!” Caleb cried.
Theo just laughed and lounged in his seat. “Okay.”
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Adriel almost looked shy at the amount of attention he was receiving.
“Why don’t we eat?” I suggested. “Dinner will be served in just a moment.”
I gestured to Theo, and once he got the hint, he took off. No bat servants for us tonight. With a human oblivious to our true nature around, it was back to the old fashioned way of doing things.
Theo appeared a minute later carrying a tray with two extravagant dishes on it. He placed them in front of Benji and Caleb, and a glass of blood wine for each of his brothers.
“The rest of you aren’t going to eat?” Caleb asked.
“Erm,” Benji said, “they always have a glass of wine before dinner. It’s, uh, a European thing.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Adriel’s eyes flickered to meet mine. I saw the distrust and turmoil glittering in them. I knew he was afraid of learning about our true identities, but wasn’t that the point of this meeting? To ease Caleb into the truth so he didn’t have to be separated from his brother any longer?
The grandfather clock ticked in the background as Benji and Caleb ate. The scene was strangely reminiscent of Benji’s first visit to our home, I realized. That had gone well, considering the circumstances. I hoped this one would be just as simple. Apparently Caleb was already fond of vampires, judging by his taste in novels.
And if all went well, I had a surprise in store for the both of them.
But the peace was short lived. A horrible shriek ripped through the mansion. Caleb nearly fell out of his chair. Benji’s face was struck by fear and he glanced at me in horror.
“What the hell was that?” Caleb exclaimed.
Instantly Theo and Adriel rushed to Caleb’s side, forming a protective barrier. I braced myself for what was coming, and unfortunately I had a good idea of what it was.
A moment later, a swift shadow surged through the dining hall door and stopped just inches from my face. The shadow materialized as Margaret, looking haggard and furious. She ground out each word. “What is thatotherhuman doing here?”
Caleb was silent with fear. From the corner of my eye I saw Benji holding his brother close, glaring at Margaret.
“Please calm down, mother,” I said firmly. “It’s Benji’s younger brother. Here’s here to - “
“I don’t care what he’s here for!” Margaret shrieked. “If he’s not going to act as a host, or a meal, he can get out!” Her eyes snapped viciously to him. “Actually, I think it’s best that he never leaves this place again.”
“Margaret!” I snarled. “You will not harm him.”
But this time she was in no mood to listen. Faster than lightning, she lunged for Caleb. He cried out in terror.
Margaret didn’t reach him. Someone else got in her way, grabbing her wrists and pinning her back to the table with overwhelming force. It was Adriel.
“You have no right to harm the human!” he hissed, baring his long white fangs. “Now calm yourself before you embarrass us all!”
“Human?” Caleb cried.
