Nico's POV:

"An interrogation?" Xander questioned from the doorway of his room, his previous half-asleep look now completely replaced with one of interest.

I probably just woke him up, but I wanted to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.

Even if that meant missing breakfast with my family.

"Yeah. I told Marcus to gather all of the slaves on this floor into the kitchen." I replied.

"OK but... Why?" Xander responded.

I barely noticed Doe's head peek out from the bathroom to listen in.

"Someone drugged Khloe last night and I need to figure out who and why before I decide to take it out on literally every slave here," I bit, my grip tightening on my upper arms in their crossed position.

Both of their eyes widened, Doe's in worry, and Xanders in shock before it shifted to confusion.

"Is she okay?" He asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

She was a little better than she was last night.

She didn't wake up like she usually did whenever I got out of bed, but I did try to be extra careful not to wake her.

Sleep was still one of the best things for her since her fever was still high.

It took a lot of self-convincing to even get me out of that room instead of just staying by her side, but I knew that I needed to get this done.

"She is now, but I have no idea what happened to her before I found her,"

Apparently, I spoke that sentence in such a way to make Xander flinch back.

"Wow. You're really pissed about this." He remarked.

I nearly growled.

"Wouldn't you be?" I asked, gesturing to Doe.

Her eyes shifted between me and him as we both looked at her.

Xander turned back to me, "Yeah ok you're right," he agreed, "What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to do the interrogating while I speak to Marcus on some matters. Ask them their alibis from last night and make sure they're telling the truth, frighten them if you want. If anyone seems innocent then dismiss them and if they don't-"

"Send them over to you," Xander finished for me.

I nodded.

"Put some clothes on and meet me in the kitchen in 10 minutes."

Xander looked down at his lack of a shirt before smirking.

"See you then."

~~~

"So you're sure everyone was accounted for by midnight?" I asked the boy sitting across from me.

Marcus nodded, "All of the slaves that were supposed to be on this floor were accounted for, and I can guarantee you that no one left during the night."

He did have the jurisdiction to make that guarantee.

As the head slave, he had the key to lock up their rooms at night and unlock them in the morning.

His words were truthful, which only meant the other person who could have logically done this would be him.

But that wasn't the case either.

Even though I was certain that he didn't do this, I still had to ask for my own surety.

But at the same time, none of this made sense.

I tuned into the other side of the room, seeing if Xander was having any more luck that I was.

From what I could hear, I couldn't really tell if he had any answers, but he definitely made at least three of the slaves cry.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"And what about you," I asked the woman sitting beside him, "Where were you?"

Lily was visibly shaken, which wasn't really my intention, but I guess couldn't be helped given my attitude toward this whole thing

"T-The Lord let me take a leave after lunch yesterday afternoon to tend to my sister for the day," She pulled out a key from her pocket," I locked up everything before I left. The fridge, the pantry, the door," She paused for a moment. "I don't understand how someone could have gotten in here."

Me neither, since literally no one else had that key.

Lily and Marcus shifted uncomfortably in my silence.

Hell, I was bothered by my silence.

If none of the slaves left and no one else had the key to the kitchen then how the hell did they pull this off?

How the hell did they even know how to hide their scent from me?

That was a trick that only a few vampires knew how to pull off.

My brows furrowed.

My only other option was that it was someone who didn't reside on this floor.

But that certain someone had to, firstly, have access to even step foot on this floor, and secondly, have a reason to do what they did.

Khloe wasn't the kind of person that anyone would have a grudge against.

She was so kind that I would confidently say that it was impossible.

Although that kindness is probably the reason we're in this situation.

There's no way she didn't smell or at least taste how bad that drink was, but she drank it regardless.

I felt a growl rumbled deep in my chest.

I wasn't even angry about her drinking it. I was angry at the fact that she shouldn't have to second guess something like this.

She shouldn't have to worry about something like this happening.

She was supposed to be safe here.

"Prince Nicolas," Lily's soft voice spoke.

I looked up to meet her gaze, "If you'd like, I have a meal in mind that I believe would help Khloe recover. As well as a special tea."

My trust was wavering but sensed nothing but good intention and care in her voice.

I took in a deep breath before speaking.

"That would be much appreciated, Lily. Thank you."

She nodded silently before dismissing herself from the table, leaving just Marcus and me.

It was quiet between us for a couple minutes before he finally spoke.

"Is... is she going to be okay?" he asked timidly.

I just looked at him for a moment, silently sulking in the fact that I didn't know what to do from here.

"Yeah. She'll be back to normal hopefully by later tonight."

He just nodded in response, almost looking guilty.

Which felt off to me.

I was about to question it before Xander collapsed into the chair beside me with a very exaggerated sigh.

"Anything?" I asked.

"Literally nothing," He responded, sounding defeated because of it, "Not even one slight dishonest heartbeat from any of them."

Of course...

"Where was Doe last night," I asked.

Xanders' eyes narrowed.

"If you're thinking about trying to blame this on my pet, then I'm gonna stop you right here. A, shes like best buds with Khloe, and B, she was with me the whole night."

"Yeah, I figured, but I have no other leads, so I thought I'd give it a shot."

"You got nothing?" Xander asked.

"Only that whoever it was apparently doesn't reside on this floor," I responded.

"Than why the hell would they-"

"Yeah, Xan I'm wondering the same."

"Um, Nico."

Both Xander and I turned to Marcus, a new almost determined look in his eye.

"I uh," He stammered, "I think I know how to find out who did this for sure, but I'll need your help."

A flicker of hope sparked within me.

He sounded confident.

"What do you need?" I asked, basically already knowing I was going to give it to him no matter what.

If Marcus could figure this out, that would give me some time to spend with Khloe and make sure she's ok.

He hesitated before he finally spoke.

"How do I hide my scent?"

Xander's eyes widened at his question whereas mine narrowed.

"From who?" I asked.

He swallowed hard.

"The Lord."