The truck rumbled along the coastal road, the salt-washed air gradually giving way to the cooler scent of pine and earth.
Sebastian watched La Ber disappear in the side mirror, Lyla's figure growing smaller until she was just a speck against the sand.
Lucas. I'm coming.
The bond pulsed in his chest, warm and familiar, urging him forward.
But Timothy kept the truck at a steady pace, his weathered hands gripping the wheel with the patience of someone who had learned long ago that rushing only led to mistakes.
"How far is it?" Sebastian asked, not for the first time.
Zachary shifted in the backseat beside him.
"Two days. Maybe a little more if the roads are bad. Elijah said the mountain pass can be tricky this time of year."
"Two days," Sebastian repeated, the words heavy with impatience.
Shane twisted around in the passenger seat, his golden eyes bright.
"Two days isn't that bad! Think of it as a road trip. Bonding time. We can play games."
"I'm not playing games," Sebastian said flatly.
"Too late. I'm already playing. I spy with my little eye something that's making Sebastian grumpy."
"Is that everything?" Casper asked dryly.
Shane gasped dramatically. "Wow. Rude. Now, it made sense why you guys are brothers."
Casper's expression didn't change, but Sebastian caught the faintest twitch at the corner of his brother's mouth.
Zachary, meanwhile, was trying very hard not to stare at Casper. He was failing. Every few seconds, his eyes would dart toward the vampire, then quickly away, his cheeks flushing a faint pink.
"What's your favorite color?" Zachary blurted out suddenly.
Casper turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised. "Excuse me?"
"Favorite color. You know. For—" Zachary gestured vaguely. "For the game. Shane's game. We're playing a game. Right?"
Shane's face split into a delighted grin. "Yes! Yes, we're playing a game. Casper, what's your favorite color?"
Casper stared at them both for a long moment, clearly questioning every life choice that had led him to this moment. "Blue."
"Blue?" Zachary repeated, nodding like this was profound information. "That's—that's interesting. It wasn't the answer I was expecting, no offense."
"None taken," Casper answered back. Sebastian, who was sitting beside Zachary, cleared his throat as he looked out the window.
"Blue? But you're a vampire. Shouldn't your favorite color be like black or red? 'Cause like blood?"
Shane questioned, looking up at the center mirror to look at Casper, his eyes confused about his answer.
Casper's expression shifted almost imperceptibly, a slight tightening around his eyes, a stillness that settled over his features like frost spreading across glass. His voice, when he spoke, was carefully measured.
"I'm sorry, was I supposed to choose my favorite color based on my dietary requirements?"
Shane blinked, his grin faltering. "What? No, I just meant—"
"You meant that because I drink blood, my aesthetic preferences should align with what you assume vampires are supposed to like."
Casper's tone remained calm, but there was an edge to it now, sharp and cold. "Tell me, Shane, what's your favorite color?"
Shane opened his mouth, then closed it. "Um. Gold? I like gold because of my eyes."
"Ah, yes. Gold. How predictable for a wolf with golden eyes." Casper's eyebrow arched.
"Do you also enjoy howling at the moon and chasing your own tail, or are those just stereotypes?"
The truck fell silent. Even the rain outside seemed to quiet.
Shane's face went through a rapid series of expressions: confusion, realization, then a sheepish grimace. "Okay, I walked right into that one, didn't I?"
"You certainly did," Casper said coolly.
Zachary, wedged beside Sebastian, was staring straight ahead with the intensity of someone trying very hard not to exist. His hands were clasped tightly in his lap, and his face had gone pale.
Sebastian, for his part, was watching his brother with a mixture of surprise and amusement. He'd seen Casper cold before, but never quite like this. There was something almost... theatrical about it.
He's enjoying this, Sebastian realized. He's actually enjoying this.
Shane, to his credit, recovered quickly.
"Alright, alright, I deserved that. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be offensive. I just—" He paused, scratching the back of his head. "I've never met a vampire who liked blue before. It's just... unexpected. That's all."
Casper's expression softened, just slightly.
"Blue reminds me of the sky before dawn. The moment when night is about to break but hasn't yet. It's the color of waiting." He paused. "And I've done a lot of waiting."
The words hung in the air, weighted with meaning.
Shane's playful demeanor dimmed, replaced by something more sincere. "That's... actually really beautiful. I get it now."
Casper inclined his head, accepting the apology. "Thank you."
Shane was practically vibrating with glee. "Okay, my turn. Zachary, what's your favorite food?"
Zachary blinked, thrown off by the sudden question. "Um. Deer? I mean—raw deer. I'm a wolf. We don't really—"
"Boring," Shane declared. "Casper, what's your favorite food?"
"I don't eat."
"You don't eat anything?"
"Blood," Casper said flatly. "I drink blood."
Shane's grin widened. "See? That's interesting. That's a conversation starter. Zachary, take notes."
Zachary's face was now a deep shade of red. "I'm not taking notes."
"You should. Vampires are fascinating creatures. You could learn a lot from them."
Timothy, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. "If you don't stop talking, I'm going to throw you out of this truck."
"You wouldn't."
"Try me."
Shane settled back in his seat, but his grin remained. "Fine. But I'm not done with the games. There's a long road ahead of us."
"It's a mistake not bringing Lyla with us. You are more quiet when she is around."
Shane only giggled like a child as he settled down to his seat. He heaved a deep breath and started talking again.
Meanwhile, Zachary was still feeling the pressure of Casper's eyes behind him. He couldn't tell if it was just pure curiosity or if Zachary offended him in some way.
If neither, Zachary couldn't help but think this trip could be his last trip where he will be seen alive.