When he returned to Castor's room, tension hung thick in the air. Sebastian sat awkwardly in his bean bag chair while Castor had his back turned to them both as he gazed pensively out his window.

"Lucien wanted me to bite him." Sebastian broke the silence. "I'm more than capable of restraining myself, and I'd never hurt him, so I don't understand why you're so upset."

"He's right," Lucien said softly. "I was just curious, that's all. You can't tell me you've never been either."

Castor moved away from the window with a look that Lucien could only describe as disappointment. It sent ripples of unease through Lucien's stomach. Instead of a confrontation, Castor merely walked past them both but paused at his door.

"You know why I'm upset about this, Sebastian. Don't play a fool's card with me." Castor sighed. "Come on, let's go before my folks wake up."

"Castor, I'm really sorry." Desperation seeped into Lucien's cracking voice. "I swear I won't give my blood away like that again, okay? Please, I don't want what I did to ruin our friendship."

Castor's expression softened as he came over to him and playfully rustled up his hair. "You haven't ruined anything. I'd just prefer it if you never did that again, especially not in my own bed." He cut a sharp glare toward Sebastian.

Once they made their way downstairs, Lucien had thought the drama for the day was over. Until Mrs. Vale's voice cut through the air like a knife from where she stood at the top of the stairwell. Her raven hair resembled a bird's nest, with ends poking out like little twigs. She'd donned a long silk crimson robe with their family's crest emblazoned across her chest.

"Castor Cornelius Vale."

"Your middle name is Cornelius?" Sebastian whispered through a small snort.

"Yes, Mom?" Castor gazed up at her with an innocent smile like everything was perfectly normal.

"Do you care to introduce me to your friend?" Mrs. Vale stepped down the stairs.

Castor tossed an arm around Lucien's shoulders. "Well, this is Lucien and he's been coming over here since we were kids."

Lucien swore that Mrs. Vale was going to set her son on fire.

"Sebastian Wraith." The vampire held his hand out for her to shake. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Your son allowed me to stay the night when I was injured and I'm much obliged to him and your family."

"Yes, it's nice to meet you as well." Mrs. Vale accepted his hand. "Although I wish it were under better circumstances. My son let you in through the front door?"

"Ah, no." Sebastian raked an awkward hand through his hair. "I came in through the window."

Mrs Vale frowned. "The window?"

Sebastian nodded. "Yes, in bat form."

It wasn't like Lucien could judge. He'd let Castor in through his bedroom window plenty of times before.

"We're going to have a very long talk about this later, Castor. No more sneaking vampires or anyone else through the window at night, got it?"

Castor sighed. "Yes, Mom. I won't sneak anymore vampires into my room at night. I just wanted to help Sebastian. He had nowhere else to go."

"I understand, and I know your heart was in the right place," Mrs. Vale said. "But next time, let either me or your father know about it. We'd have gladly let Sebastian stay in our spare bedroom."

"Yeah, okay. Anyway, what's for breakfast?" Castor asked as he made his way toward the kitchen. "I can fix us something since Dad's still asleep. "

Mrs Vale nodded as the three of them followed Castor. "Can I get you anything, Sebastian? I believe we have some pig's blood stowed in the basement fridge for summoning spells."

"Ah, I appreciate the offer." Sebastian awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "But I'm not particularly starved at the moment. Thank you for being considerate of my needs."

"He already had Lucien for breakfast," Castor muttered under his breath.

Lucien blushed as bright as a ripe tomato. "You don't have to say it like that."

While Castor cooked, Mrs. Vale brewed a fresh pot of coffee. Not wanting to stand around like a fool, Lucien offered to set the table and brought down some plates from the cabinet. Nerves fluttered in the pit of his stomach each time he made eye contact with Sebastian. He hadn't expected sharing his blood to feel so good. Despite how much he tried not to think about it, warmth drizzled through his body like warm syrup.

"Let me help." Sebastian took a stack of plates from his hands, icy fingers brushing along skin. "You should take things easy today, all right? I didn't take much blood from you, but do tell me if you ever feel faint or lightheaded."

"Yeah, of course." Lucien took a seat at the table, fiddling with his silverware as Mrs. Vale took her place across from him.

"Are you okay?" Mrs. Vale whispered as she reached a hand out for him, gently touching his wrist where Sebastian's pinpricks were visible.

Lucien nodded. "I'm good."

Sebastian stood behind him, gently resting a hand atop his shoulder. "How do you like your coffee?"

"I know how Lucien likes his coffee, don't worry about it. I'm basically done here, so I'll get it." Castor quickly moved away from the stove to the coffee pot.

"I'm perfectly capable of getting it myself," Lucien said.

"Nonsense, like Sebastian said, you need your rest to keep your strength up." Castor handed him his black mug shaped like a mini caldron. "Besides, I know you like your coffee extra hot." Embers of fiery red twinkled around his fingertips.

"Thank you." Lucien smiled before taking a small sip of the scorching, soul-warming coffee.

Once Castor served them their food, he took a seat beside Lucien as they ate in silence. Sebastian had quietly sat down on the other side of Lucien, seeming to try not to bother them.

Lucien couldn't help but meet Sebastian's gaze every so often, sometimes turning his head away like a flustered schoolboy when he remembered how aroused he'd gotten from him merely drinking blood from his wrist. Despite how Sebastian had claimed that was a normal response, Lucien couldn't help but wonder if it meant something more. Surely he wasn't developing feelings for the vampire, right?