The long dining hall of the Blood Wing mansion had been lit early that evening.
Golden lamps floated near the ceiling. The long black table had been polished until it reflected the flames of the wall torches like still water. Servants moved in straight lines, placing silver dishes, crystal cups, and plates marked with the crest of the clan.
Raven sat in her usual place, her seat right beside her father.
She watched the doors, waiting for the usual burst of familiar aura.
They burst open ten minutes later, the scent of cloud vine roses filling the air.
"Brother!" a loud voice announced.
Darel Willows strode in like he owned the building, coat half-buttoned, dark red hair tied loosely, a single braid adorning the side of face, his thin reddish lips parted in a sharp smile, exposing his fangs. He spread his arms wide as if greeting an audience.
"Still brooding in castles, Damian? You really should try living dangerously. Like sleeping past dawn."
Behind him came Darevah, her scent a mix of the ocean and burning raspwood, calming.
She moved slower, one hand resting on her stomach, the other gripping the arm of her husband.
Kavriel del Luna, the patriach of the blood moon clan, walked beside her, tall and broad shouldered, his red eyes glowing faintly with mischief. His smile showed just a little too much fang.
"My favorite tyrant family," Kavriel said cheerfully. "I brought myself. You're welcome."
Damian stood.
Darel reached him first, clapping him on the shoulder.
"You look terrible," Darel said. "Miss me?"
"Every time you speak," Damian replied flatly.
Raven smiled.
Darevah hugged Damian next, her hug was warm, filled with worry for her brother.
"You look tired," she said softly.
"You look stubborn," Damian replied. "Still walking too much."
"I am pregnant, not fragile." she retorted. Damian smiled successfully pulling her attention from his exhaustion.
Kavriel leaned in. "She beat a warlord last week."
Darevah elbowed him.
Damian sighed.
Raven was hugged last.
Darel ruffled her hair. "You're taller again."
She swatted his hand away. "Stop that."
Kavriel bowed dramatically. "Little Raven, ruler of the Blood kings heart."
She snorted.
They took their seats.
Food was served. Bloodwine for the elders. Juice for Raven.
The mood settled quickly into noise.
"So," Darel said, slicing into his meat, "who is betting that Damian threatened the council again?"
"I did not threaten anyone," Damian said.
"You cracked a goblet," Kavriel added helpfully.
"It deserved it."
Darevah laughed quietly.
"Darel," she said, "are you still avoiding the question?"
He stiffened. "What question?"
"You know which."
"Ah," Kavriel said, eyes lighting up. "The tragic love life."
"There is no tragic love life."
"Then why are you still single?" Darevah asked sweetly.
"I am selective."
"You rejected a duchess last year."
"She tried to poison me."
"That was foreplay," Kavriel said.
Darel pointed at Damian. "Blame him. He scared off half the continent with his reputation."
Damian raised a brow. "You are free to leave the clan."
"And lose my free food? Never."
Laughter rolled around the table.
Even Damian's lips twitched.
The noise softened as the first plates were cleared.
Then the air shifted, a subtle hint to under laying matters. The air was heavy with un answered questions.
Kavriel leaned back in his chair.
"So," he said casually, "about the witch."
Damian's eyes lifted, a flash of killing intent, causing the lights to flicker.
Raven glanced up, unease at her father's sudden bloodlust.
"Valaria," Kavriel continued. "I say we take over the witches tower, i sincerely doubt anyone would question a few witches being erased."
Darevah's fingers disappeared under the table, twisting the flesh on her husband's thigh.
Kavriel froze, then yelped, the sudden pain too overwhelming to be endured. 'She got stronger again', he thought amid his pained yelps.
"Wife!" he whined.
"You will not start a war over your temper," Darevah said calmly.
"She accused our niece."
"She hinted," Damian corrected.
Darel leaned forward. "She crossed a line."
"Yes," Damian said, "but we do not answer shadows with explosions."
Kavriel pouted. "You are no fun."
"You married into the wrong family," Darevah replied.
Damian folded his hands.
"We will watch her," he said. "Quietly."
"And if she pushes again?" Darel asked.
Damian's eyes darkened.
"Then we push back."
No one argued, this was their unity.
The tension lingered, as everyone encased their brutal thoughts in the dark cages of their hearts.
Then Da rel cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"So," he said, placing a hand on his wine glass, "about the baby."
Kavriel brightened instantly. "Yes. Let us talk about someone more important than war."
"What names have you chosen?" Darel asked.
Darevah smiled. "None yet."
Kavriel frowned. "She rejects all my good ideas."
"You suggested Bloodstorm."
"It is strong."
"It is ridiculous."
Raven giggled, her smile dispersing the tension lingering on the air.
"What about something simple?" Raven said.
"Like?" Darevah asked gently.
"Luna, if it's a girl and Feray if it's a boy" Raven offered.
Kavriel blinked. "That is actually nice."
Darevah nodded. "It is."
Damian watched Raven quietly, she wasn't okay. She had barely touched her food and her eyes would occasionally drift amidst their laughter.
"Raven," he called softly. She was awoken from another 'mid drift' startled. "Yes?"
"You have been a little too quiet."
The others turned to her.
Darel tilted his head. "You're usually louder."
"Am not."
"You are."
She sighed.
"I'm fine.
Darevah studied her. "You're thinking about something? "
Raven hesitated, then released a nonchalant grunt.
"Just… life i guess"
Damian stiffened.
"Life?" he echoed, his nerves tensing, a little uneasy.
He leaned forward.
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Did someone—"
"No," she said quickly. "I'm just… thinking."
He relaxed only slightly.
Darel smirked. "She's growing up."
Kavriel grinned. "Terrifying."
Damian ignored them.
He looked at Raven carefully.
"You know you can talk to me."
"I know."
He sighed. 'If this was growing up, he would prefer she never did'
" do you wanna accompany me to the company headquarters tomorrow?"
Her eyes widened. "Really, i could?"
"Yes."
"To sightsee?"
"Yes."
Her smile returned, her little fangs peeking out of her parted lips.
"I love you dad", her mind drawn away from the shadow she was drawn to.
Damian exhaled quietly.
Darevah watched him with knowing eyes, her eyes tinged with worry. 'This brother of hers'.
The dinner continued with laughter ringing through the halls, the mansion shrouded in warmth.
Beyond the walls, the trees swayed revealing the man shrouded in a cloak of darkness, watching, waiting for an opportunity to bow before his master.