When the bobbing wooden rooster on the windowsill above the basin sink pitches forward, it clacks. The drip from the sink's leaky faucet plunks. The wind beyond the thick glass of the blind-drawn window has begun to howl and rustle the trees in the yard so violently that muted sounds penetrate the heavy silence that's overtaken the kitchen.

Sipping her tea, Hannah glares over the rim of her mug. She doesn't receive a glare in return; instead, she's given a slow blink of hazel eyes and a subtle tilt to the vampire's fair head. She doesn't like Gabriel Kimberk. Not one bit.

When they'd left for the auction tonight, Kane had to physically drag Reid from the house. At the time, Hannah found the kerfuffle amusing. Reid had complained on the ride there and kept calling the meeting with his father an execution.

She'd thought he was acting dramatic. But he was genuinely distressed. Hannah can see that now. There's vileness in Gabriel Kimberk's composed gaze. She thought Valrus had a dark presence, but the demon is sunlight compared.

Lucas stands behind Hannah's chair, leaning against the jamb that leads to the corridor. He's done little to conceal the fact he's on the defence. When Hannah had told the man Gabriel couldn't make it to Reid under any circumstances, Lucas hadn't questioned her, simply nodded, and never left that doorway.

They're in a bad state. Really bad. Tired and beat up. But Reid's the one fighting for his life. They'll stand strong until he's back on his feet. Then, they'll rest, and Hannah will finally be able to take in a breath that doesn't feel like fire in her lungs.

Hannah has to resist the urge to look up. In the bedroom above, she's hidden the damnable necklace in a box and shoved the thing under some clothing in a dark corner of the walk-in closet. She's yet to find the words or the time to explain to Kane why Valrus isn't in his rightful place, sunken and forgotten at the bottom of that lake.

She pointedly ignores the twitch to her fingers and the growing urge to rush upstairs despite the chaos happening around her to check that the chain is where she left it.

She just needs some sleep. That's what she tells herself anyway.

The vampire, Axel, has found staring out the little window on the back door and into the overgrown yard extremely interesting. As if he's seeing the outdoors for the first time. He'd been at it for the last ten minutes, except for the fleeting moments when Hannah caught him looking at the hallway with an anxious expression, reacting to something she was not privy to.

In the creaky pine wood chair across, the very one she'd sat in not long ago, fighting with Kane over breakfast, Gabriel breaks the standoff with a velvety purr, "The name Hannah means favour from God. Are you favoured by God?"

This creature, masquerading as a beautiful man, is a problem. His mere presence seems to muffle the low television playing in the parlour, as if the world has decided to calm so they can take in the full effect of his honeyed voice.

"You should know, Reid's my brother now," Hannah says placidly, placing her mug on the table and the ceramic scratches against the well-loved wood.

Gabriel smiles, fluttering his lashes with clear displeasure. The gesture makes him look, for a split second, jarringly similar to Reid, right down to the dark twinkle in his hazel eyes. "I don't recall having another impudent child."

"Adopted."

"Charming," Gabriel drawls.

Hannah taps the rim of her mug with a fingertip. "Tea?"

"Thank you, but no."

"How about I give you a good knock to that jaw of yours? Might help get that look off your face."

"What look, dear?"

Hannah sips her tea. "You know, that obvious superiority complex you're doing nothing to hide."

Gabriel's smile remains, and the threat of his silence shivers the air. Hannah smiles in return and knows that the gesture doesn't reach her eyes.

Then Gabriel's smile falls; the suddenness of the gesture is so creepy that Hannah flinches back instinctually.

From her peripheral vision, Axel turns away from the window, sensing something amiss.

Lucas lays a hand on Hannah's chair, knuckles brushing her upper back. She's grateful for the subtle comfort and presses against his fingers in a wordless, I'm fine.

They might be beyond exhausted, but they're not stupid. Lucas is armed with a gun expertly hidden beneath his jacket, and there's a large kitchen knife in the front pocket of the pullover she'd thrown on in her haste from the bathroom. Left draped over the armchair in the parlour, it's Reid's; she'd be drowning in fabric otherwise.

The kitchen isn't small, but two vampires, even for Lucas, and in his state, would be difficult to counter. Hannah will have to fight, and that's the exact reason she's decided to make lemon tea. She's sure a steeping cup of boiled water in the face will cause even Gabriel Kimberk to falter.

The tension rises.

They're a table apart, but it feels as if Gabriel's breath is on her skin when he says, "Manners must be kept when in another's home, and I will abide, but if another minute goes by where I am not told of the state of my son, Hannah, dear. I'll lose my patience."

Hannah's about to say something impulsively ill-advised to the extremely dangerous vampire that looks to be a mere second from lunging at her and ripping out her throat with those fangs of his he keeps showing off. Something along the lines of 'he's not yours; screw off and leave', when the sound of the bathroom opening and closing draws their collective attention to the corridor.

Disappointment upon seeing Kiernan slumps Hannah's shoulders. She'd been hoping for good news coming from the lips of a handsome, hulking man she wishes she could kiss until their worries are gone and the world is right again.

The sight of Kiernan moving past Lucas's bulk with not even a glance is admittedly pitiful. His shirt is soaked, and his brown curls that reach his ears are flat; occasional stray droplets of water drip down his face.

Kiernan looks grim.

Hannah's stomach churns with dread.

There's a strange exchange between Kiernan and Axel, only a mere second before their gazes meet. They must be speaking without words because Axel remains silent and rubs at his mouth, the gesture almost nervous.

It feels like an eternity before Kiernan finally says, "There was a precarious moment when he stopped breathing for a third time. You must have heard; he's alive, and Rainer is with him."

Reid's alive?

Hannah lets out a breath that she didn't know she'd been holding. Shifting in her chair, she looks up at Lucas with a wide smile. He leans heavily against the doorframe, as if he can finally allow himself to release the weight he'd been carrying, and lays a hand on her head. They don't have to speak; the relief they're sharing is nearly overwhelming.

The present doesn't wait for Hannah to bask in her relief because Gabriel sits back in his creaky chair, snapping all attention back to him.

He crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his head thoughtfully. He doesn't look happy for someone who was just told their son was alive and who'd been on the cusp of death a mere hour prior.

But that's because Gabriel heard it. Kiernan said as much. That must be why Gabriel didn't force his way into the bathroom. He's been listening this entire time, while taking Hannah's insults in stride, because Gabriel knew he was always in control.

With a tired gait, Kiernan nears Axel by the basin sink and leans his palms back against the edge of the counter. Water from his clothing drips onto the tiled floor with soft taps. There's going to be a puddle that needs drying.

Even to Hannah, who's not privy to vampire weirdness, Kiernan's quite obviously not meeting Axel's gaze purposefully, looking down, even though he's being scrutinized outright by the other.

Gabriel rises from his chair with a faint screech of its wooden legs against the kitchen tile.

They all tense.

Hannah isn't taken aback by her and Lucas's reactions; as defensive as they have been for the last hour, they're on edge.

But she is surprised by Axel's perceptive flinch and the way Kiernan's gaze rises to take in Gabriel's slow advance towards him with widening eyes.

Gabriel lays his palms on Kiernan's arms. "You saved my son. I'm eternally grateful." He rubs his palms up and down. There's a shuddering creepiness in the innocent gesture that Hannah can't place, just that it shivers up her spine disgustingly.

"He was stubborn," Kiernan says coolly. He holds Gabriel's gaze, and Hannah is empathetically impressed by his commitment to appearing impassioned, having just dealt with the overwhelming sensation of being beneath Gabriel Kimberk's attention for the last hour.

Kiernan's slightly shorter than Gabriel, but somehow he seems very fragile when so close to the blonde, who's exuding so much dark power, Hannah has to resist clawing at her skin to be free of its taint.

Gabriel smiles fondly. "His mother's influence."

From near the back door, Axel looks so tense that Hannah can't help her heart from hastening with trepidation in empathy.

Then, Gabriel purrs, "Do you remember when I killed Mercalli and saved you from a life of pathetic, sniveling slavery?"

Axel looks stricken; his gaze never wavers from the pair of vampires.

Kiernan's gaze flickers to the table. There's a jarring waver in his expression as he meets Hannah's eyes, obviously not wishing for anyone to hear this tidbit of his history.

Without looking away, Hannah slips her fingers into the pocket of her sweatshirt and slowly takes hold of the hilt of the kitchen knife, careful not to nick her palm on the bare blade.

When Kiernan looks back at Gabriel, he's familiarly unemotional. "I could never forget."

Because she's watching for subtle cues, Hannah notices Kiernan's hand that's resting against the edge of the counter shift. His forefinger, baring a signet ring, raises. It's a concealed gesture to Axel that has the bruiser stiffening.

There should be no surprise in the fact that Gabriel strikes viper-quick, but Hannah is left reeling at the vampire's quickness when Gabriel shoves a hand against Kiernan's throat.

Hannah rises from her chair abruptly, but before she can do something foolish, like try and step between a pair of squabbling vampires while wielding a kitchen knife, her arm is seized, and she's pulled against Lucas's chest as he moves away from the doorway.

It's a wordless don't that she obeys with clenched teeth.

The lack of change in Gabriel's expression is disturbing. He doesn't do anything more. He's so close to Kiernan's face that the vampire can probably count his eyelashes. And Gabriel just stares, like the switch of life he holds has turned off and he's recalibrating.

It's beyond creepy.

Kiernan doesn't react beyond blinking up at the unmoving ceiling fan, with that placid expression he wears so well. He's pinned against the edge of the counter in such a way that his back is forced to arch, and it looks uncomfortable.

Hannah's nose scrunches at the sudden glare Kiernan gives her. She might think it's his normal animosity, but there's a subtle flicker of his gaze down to the pocket of her pullover. Her fingers let go of the knife. He's warning her to keep her hand.

Gabriel comes back to life with a long-suffering exhale. "Almost a century. My most trusted, and a liar you've become. How tragic. Did my brother get to you? What did he promise you? What was your loyalty worth?"

Kiernan tries, "I would never-"

Gabriel slaps him with the flat of a palm, and Kiernan's breath catches, clearly not expecting the cruelness. And Hannah hears Axel's breath stutter just the same, as if he's been struck instead.

Slowly, Gabriel lays a hand on Kiernan's face. Fingers splaying against the cheek he'd just smacked red. Kiernan licks away the blood sheening his lips, and stares at the floor as Gabriel says deceptively gentle, "Perhaps you saw yourself in my son, pathetic, lost, weak, in need."

Then, Gabriel takes a gentle hold of Kiernan's chin, forcing the vampire's tired head to rise. "I am not Mercalli."

Kiernan's face withers. "Never. You'd never. I know."

"Then why do you treat me with such disdain? I told you on the phone to wait, and you disobeyed me. It's become a theme since you acted out of turn at the Teller's house." Gabriel's thumb rubs Kiernan's jaw. "Your behavior worries me dearly. After I saved you, elevated you, and placed my trust in you, you've shown no loyalty at a time when I need you most. It saddens me greatly."

"I am," Kiernan chokes. He steadies his voice and says firmly, "I am loyal. Always. I'd never betray you."

Gabriel smiles dangerously. "My son isn't meant to be yours. Is that not a betrayal of the highest?"

Kiernan hesitates, not because of his audience; it looks as if he's trying to find words hastily. "I had no choice. He would have died." His words are breathy as he whispers, "It was close-so close. I couldn't wait. I knew risking his death wasn't what you would want. I made the decision that you wouldn't ask for but needed. That's what you've always demanded of me above all else. To have your best interests."

After mulling over the words for a tense minute of distant staring, Gabriel's fingers slip from Kiernan's chin. "No. It's not what I would want. You were right to save him." He fixes the askew collar of Kiernan's damp shirt. "Can I can still trust in your loyalty? Show me."

Axel presses flush with the door to the yard. He's waging an inner battle that has his shaking hand gripping the lapel of his black jacket so tightly that it's a wonder he doesn't rip the fabric. His chest rises and falls faster than Hannah's ragged breaths.

The air is thick and dizzying with the dark power Gabriel exudes, poisonously intoxicating.

Kiernan's lashes flutter with a soft inhale. It's obvious he's tired; fingers splayed atop the counter, the gash on his wrist is weeping blood. He's not healing.

Gabriel's smile widens. "Kiernan," he chastises.

"Asshole," Hannah whispers hatefully. She knows Gabriel can hear her, even if he doesn't react outwardly. Against her back, Lucas's heart is beating rapidly. "He's a-"

Lucas's hand clamps over her mouth, and his rough fingers curl around her wrists to stop her attempt to grab the knife in her sweater, causing her anger to surge to nostril-flaring heights. She drools against his palm in retaliation.

There's a second of hesitation in Kiernan's darting gaze, as if looking for recourse. He finds none. With a forced steeliness to his dark eyes, he turns his face to the side, baring his slapped, red-hued cheek. His throat bobs on a swallow.

Hannah doesn't know what she expected-maybe for Kiernan to take a knife and chop off his finger like some bad mafia movie to show his undying loyalty. It is certainly not for him to lift his chin and bare his throat further.

Witnessing the obvious act of submission gives Hannah an unpleasant shudder of intrusion.

She really hates vampires.

Hannah flinches when Gabriel clutches Kiernan's jaw, keeping the vampire's head turned with firm fingers and pudging the skin there. Gabriel begins whispering in a harsh timbre-his lips must be pressed against Kiernan's ear for how little space Gabriel is giving the other.

"Kid," Axel rasps suddenly.

Lucas's hand slides away from Hannah's mouth. She looks to the side, and on the threshold of the door, Reid is standing, dripping water, with his lips twisted in disgust.

"Can you not discipline your dog in my kitchen? Kenneth will make me wash the blood from the tile."

Hannah gasps, "Reid." She has tears in her eyes. She hadn't heard the bathroom door.

Reid meets her gaze and winks with a fond smile, as if to say, 'You thought I'd die that easy?' He looks normal-no, he looks better than normal, healthy, with no bruises on his face, and his nose, which had been a mess of purple and black the last time she'd seen him slumped in the tub, has healed. Except for the smears of blood, he looks perfect.

Gabriel doesn't react to the sudden entrance of his son. He presses his nose against the side of Kiernan's head and whispers a few more words before inhaling Kiernan's wet hair deeply. And Kiernan grimaces before he can taper it back to the unemotional visage he's been weathering to keep.

The act is certainly for intimidation. Hannah shudders.

Like a switch, Gabriel steps away from Kiernan smoothly. The smile he gives Reid is believably warm. "I'm glad you're well. This was merely a conversation that must be had. I thought perhaps Kiernan had overstepped tonight-just as he did when he sent you to the hospital." There's no wonder Gabriel's gained his position; he's a master at the careful word. "He claims you asked him to finish the change."

That's the opposite of what Kiernan had claimed.

Hannah's tongue is heavy in her mouth; she could shout and bring the truth to light, but standing so close to Reid has begun to make her shiver, and it's hard to form words past the blur that seems to haze her mind with every passing second-one vampire is a fog, but four, in such close proximity and with emotions high, have made the kitchen darkly stifling.

Reid's blue eyes flicker toward Kiernan, then fall back to his father. But before any more words can be spoken, Kane emerges from the hallway. The mere sight of him hastens Hannah's heart-brown hair dripping with water, some pieces brushing the deep scar on the bridge of his nose, and his skin has a worrying pallor.

There's a slight waver to Kane's gait that could be exhaustion, but the reason could also be from the deep bite on his neck, smeared with blood from a lazy clean-up.

Hannah's stomach knots with worry.

Kane blocks the rest of the doorway as he comes to a pause beside Reid, his stature towering in contrast. He raises an arm and lays a palm on the upper edge of the door jamb above Reid's head, leaning heavily.

Such a little thing shouldn't have Hannah sweating, but it worsens with the try-it steadiness in Kane's tone when he says, "Get the fuck out of my house."

Hannah's knees are weak.