“It’s true, Hazel,” Celestina said. “I don’t think you understand how terrifying it was to have the fae threaten to target you with weapons you couldn’t feel—unlike their magic. Weapons that we would be able to react to, but not in time to save you.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Does the entire Drake Family like to act like haughty know-it-alls and then use heart-twisting motivations to excuse their behavior, or is that just an upper management thing?”
“We’re not trying to excuse our behavior, but rather explain it,” Josh said. “As much as I like to create witty quips and lighthearted statements about the unstoppable hunger of death that will eventually consume the world with its gaping maw, the prospect of losing you was daunting for myself, and Celestina.”
“That’s why we agreed when His Eminence decided to send you away. You’re my friend, Hazel. As selfish as it makes me, I also didn’t want to risk losing you.” The sincerity in Celestina’s red eyes was almost painful to witness as she knit her fingers together and perched at the edge of her seat. “But Josh and I planned for ways to reach out to you! They just all…failed.”
I tapped my fingers on my thighs. “Neither you nor Josh ever came here for guard duty—though I suppose Killian couldn’t do without his First or Second Knight in times like this.”
“It was your sword, actually,” Celestina said. “I purposely left it and the Paragon’s book back at Drake Hall. I planned to take a detour to House Medeis on my way to the Night Court’s stronghold that night so I could give you your katana before you fought Mason. I thought it would give me a chance to explain a little bit of what was going on. And I figured that after you won your House back, I could wait a few days and then bring you the Paragon’s book as my second excuse to connect with you. By then we would have received more intelligence on the Night Court, and I could tell you exactly how Killian was protecting you.”
“I already know about why Killian did everything he did,” I said. “From a very unlikely source.”
Celestina nodded. “I expected as much—particularly once I found out your sword had gone mysteriously missing directly after you left, as had the book.”
“The book was the Paragon’s doing,” Josh added. “But the sword was a surprising act of rebellion in the face of—what did you call us? ‘Upper Management’? Anyway, it was the work of a Drake vampire.”
The duo stared expectantly at me.
“I’m not saying anything about that,” I said.
Celestina nodded. “As we expected. Regardless, we wish to apologize—we made a grave misstep in handling this matter.”
“It was not our intention to hurt you,” Josh said. “We are sorry for any pain we might have caused.”
I sighed—when they explained it like that, could I really be mad at them? “Next time this happens, would you guys just tell me what’s going on? The mental games aren’t necessary. I’m a pretty reasonable person.”
Celestina shook her head. “There won’t be a next time.”
“That’s hardly realistic. I love you guys, but I know you’ll choose Killian every time—which I can understand. As long as you don’t ice me out again.”
“Agreed,” Josh said. “But he’s not going to let you go a second time.”
“I doubt that.”
“You don’t think he is that desirous of you?” Josh asked.
Gavino had been calmly sipping a blood pouch, but abruptly choked on it and started coughing up a storm.
Similarly, Felix dropped a massive unlit candle he’d swiped off the mantle. It landed on his foot with a painful crack.
“I think Killian is a very wily vampire who is stuck in his ways and prone to thinking he knows best about everything,” I dryly said. “As long as he is so distrustful, it’s only a matter of time before he tries to manipulate me instead of just telling me what’s going on. But that’s between Killian and me.”
Josh looked thoughtful, but Celestina merely shrugged. “If you wish it. But are Josh and I forgiven?”
I smiled a little. “Yeah. I forgive you. But you still didn’t answer me. Next time—”
“If there is a next time, we will choose Killian as you said, but we promise to speak frankly with you,” Celestina said.
“That’s all I want.” I glanced over at Momoko and Felix—who were inspecting Felix’s foot. “Does the peanut gallery have anything to say about this?”
Momoko batted her long eyelashes. “No. Why would we?”
“You felt strongly enough about it to invite them here.”
“And we don’t regret it,” Felix confirmed.
“Should I go tell Mrs. Clark to expect extra guests for dinner?” Momoko asked.
“Good point.” I swung my gaze back to my vampire friends. “You guys can stick around for Gavino’s introduction if you like. After I show him around and the family gets a good gawk at him, we figured we’d have dinner.”
“We would love to join you,” Celestina said.
Josh squinted slightly. “Do you also have a no-weapons rule at the dinner table?”
“No. Why? Do you think you aren’t safe here?” I frowned, disturbed by the idea.
“Not at all,” Josh assured me. “Rather, I have a new hidden dagger I wanted to try wearing, and it’s located inside my boxers—I do not think your family would appreciate such a show.”
It was apparently Felix’s turn to choke. He exploded into a rattling cough.
I tapped my cheek. “What good does the hidden dagger do if it’s in your boxers?”
“That is the point I was hoping to test,” Josh said. “Thus far it has been an unsatisfactory experience.”
“I see. Either way, it’s fine.” I tipped my head as I felt the whispery touch of the House. “Gavino, I’d recommend you finish your blood, because my Great Aunt is about thirty seconds away from barreling through the door with the first round of wizards for you to meet.”
“Yes, Miss Hazel.”
I started to stand, but paused midstep. “Oh, and Celestina, Josh?”
“Yes?” Celestina asked.
“Thanks for coming to apologize.”
The following week Celestina came back to House Medeis to pick me up for my first bi-weekly training session.
“You know, I have a car.” I tightened the laces of my running shoes and glanced at my escort. “You didn’t have to drive me.”
“Nonsense,” Celestina said. “It’s cheaper to carpool.”
“Killian does remember that I’m not staying at Drake Hall this week, doesn’t he?” I asked suspiciously.
“Of course,” Celestina soothed.
Unconvinced, I twisted around in my seat to look behind me.
Momoko sat in the back seat, making a thorough inspection of the car’s fancy leather interior. “Wow. Being old must pay really well.”
I smirked at her. “Not all the Drake vampires have Celestina’s sense of humor, you know?”
Momoko blinked. “But I wasn’t being funny.”