Chapter 12 Pang of Disappointment #2
The library was next, floor-to-ceiling shelves crammed with books, some old enough to smell like dust and secrets, others glossy and new. Koa lingered by a section on magical theory, his fingers brushing the spines like he was greeting old friends.
“This’ll be useful,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
I nodded, cataloging the layout in my head.
Every room, every potential blind spot. Gregory prattled on about the media room and its plush seating, massive screen, and surround sound, but I tuned him out.
My focus was already shifting to the outdoor property, the sprawling grounds that would need securing.
“—full shower room adjacent to the gym—”
“Outbuildings?” I interrupted Gregory’s monologue, counting exits as we went.
“The gardener’s workshop and groundskeeping shed are to the west of the lake. It was restocked two days ago, by the way—”
“We’ll view it later.”
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out reluctantly. Father had already texted five times this morning. Apology for what happened to Seri. Inquiry if she was better. Inquiry if she needed anything. Inquiry if he could meet her. Inquiry if he could expect grandchildren before the marriage contract was up.
That last one had made my fangs drop and my pants tighten at the same time.
Fortunately, it was only Sebastian, forwarding the staff’s dossiers as requested.
“She’s been asleep for three hours. That was our agreement, right?” Zane felt he had to point out.
“Two hours, forty-nine minutes, fifteen seconds,” I corrected with another glance at my phone.
“What if she’s dehydrated?” Ko hovered at the grand staircase, staring toward the second floor. “Infected wounds can—”
“Kitchen, Mr. Storms.” I shot the estate manager a look. “Now.”
Mrs. Wentzel was wrapping fresh rosemary around smoked salmon canapés and nodded along as Ko explained about Brumous and Seri’s dietary needs. She was a fast worker and had four meals plated up on breakfast trays before turning to work on the wolf’s, Zane watching every move she made.
The trays looked like something out of a Martha Stewart episode, too, with three different forks, napkin swans, and freshly picked violets in tiny glass bottles.
“Mrs. Wentzel, did you take orders from Arabesque Harrow recently?” I asked a little nicer than I usually would because she had that grandma air about her.
And she handled a knife as skillfully as Koa.
“Not me, sir.” She hesitated half-heartbeat too long, telling me something without words. “Mr. Storms gives me weekly menus on Friday afternoons for the next week. Where they come from, I couldn’t say.”
“Not anymore.” I palmed a cheese knife, testing its balance. “Any special requests come through today? Gifts? Visitors?”
“No, sir.” Her gaze flicked to Gregory, hovering near the industrial fridge. She shrugged, arranging croissants with military precision. “Not to my knowledge.”
I liked her. Enough that she was probably going to survive the purge.
“I’ll forward all special requests to you, sir.” Gregory’s eyes flicked to Koa, and for a moment, there was something flirtatious in his expression again. He even smiled, leaning slightly closer. “Don’t want to disappoint you.”
Does the man not understand the terms beloved and wife? I thought to myself, disgusted.
Ko stiffened, the faintest hint of color on his cheekbones. Where Gregory might have mistaken it for shyness or embarrassment, I knew it was temper. Ko was barely holding back from filleting the man.
Zane, of course, noticed immediately.
“Oh, this is gold,” he whispered, grinning like a fool. “Ko’s got an admirer.”
“Drop it,” I muttered with a flash of annoyance. Our little brother was clearly uncomfortable.
Zane shrugged, still smirking, but he didn’t press further.
Once the chef had the trays ready, Gregory stepped forward and grabbed Brumous’.
“Mrs. Wentzel and I can carry two of these to your room for you.”
“No,” I said immediately, sharper than I’d intended. Gregory blinked at me like I’d just slapped him. I didn’t care. Damned if I’d let him get that close to Seri while she was vulnerable. “Leave them in the hallway. We’ll handle it from there.”
He hesitated, glancing at Ko as if for backup, but he only nodded. Our little caravan marched up the stairs, and Mrs. Wentzel set down her tray as requested before trotting off. Gregory lingered.
“Enjoy your breakfast, gentlemen,” he murmured, fingers brushing Koa’s wrist. “Ring if you require any further assistance.”
Z didn’t even wait until the man disappeared downstairs.
“Ten bucks says he’s got a fang fetish. Finds them irresistible.”
“Twenty says he’s dead by Tuesday,” I muttered. “Remember. Don’t overwhelm her. She’s still adjusting.”
“Adjusting to what?” Zane snorted. “Being surrounded by three ridiculously good-looking dhampirs? Yeah, rough life.”
I rolled my eyes as I opened the door to Seri’s room. The thought of her waking up alone had gnawed at me the entire tour, and now that we were here, I could finally breathe again.
“Lord Brumous, nom-noms have arrived,” Zane called, but the pup was nowhere in sight.
Neither was Seri.