Vail raised a brow when Lady Crest spoke his name, intrigued that she had picked him out among all his relatives in the manor. He didn’t recall ever meeting her before, but it seemed like Victoria had been drafting sketches of him during their time apart. The realization that he entered her thoughts so often was as endearing as it was flattering. He made a mental note to ask her if he could take a look at her work sometime, since she must have been a talented artist if her mother could recognize him after merely seeing his likeness on parchment.

Holding the widow’s gaze, he could tell by the dilation of her pupils that she could feel the effects of his pheromones on her psyche. However, to his interest, she seemed to compose herself before his eyes, shrewdly explaining the reason for her appearance. He would have lingered on the detail, curious to know how she had overcome her human weakness for his kind, if not for the disheartening news she had brought with her. Apparently the Wynters were moving, and fast. He set his jaw as she described what sounded like a small war between the Order and the other vampire clan, one that would certainly bleed over to ensnare his family as well. It was what he had been warning his father about for days, yet the leader of the Hygraces continued to willingly turn a blind eye.

“I appreciate that you came all this way to tell us,” he expressed, eyeing the scroll in her hand. As grateful as he was for Lady Crest’s efforts, he had a feeling Peter wouldn’t be quite so enthusiastic. His father’s method had only kept them safe when the Wynters hadn’t been actively trying to overthrow their clan. Keeping their heads down wouldn’t work if their enemies began pursuing them intentionally. Unfortunately, the clan leader was bullheaded, and had yet to listen to anyone who had told him that he needed to change his strategy. He doubted Victoria’s mother would have better luck.

At the widow’s following words, Vail blinked in surprise. Unlike his own parents, there was no sign of frustration in her voice and no hint of anger on her smiling face. “It was my pleasure,” the response formed automatically on his lips while he pondered her unusual reaction. After enduring nothing but disapproving reactions to his unorthodox relationship with the Crest heiress, receiving anything even slightly more congenial felt like a mirage.

What was more astonishing was that it sounded like she was giving him subtle permission to seek Victoria out while the Saints were away. He parted his lips to respond but didn’t speak a word before another voice said behind him: “Vail, what are you doing?”

The Hygrace heir turned to find that Peter was descending the staircase, followed shortly by Katherine. “I was just leaving,” he answered taciturnly.

“Hunting again?” his father frowned, walking to the door. “Careful you don’t overdo it. You’ve been going out quite a bit lately.”

“I’ll make it quick,” he assured the clan leader, stepping out of the manor before his father could attempt to convince him to stay. As he passed Lady Crest, he offered her a subtle, appreciative nod and then turned away to head to the wrought iron gate. His posture was stiff when he neared Ray, but he knew the Saint couldn’t touch him without inciting the vengeance of the Hygrace clan, so he said nothing to the other man on his way into the city.

Behind his back, he could hear Peter’s faint voice on the wind, inquiring what Lady Diana Crest wished to speak with him about.