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He was being purposefully vague, because to me it was clear who was doing this. Imogen was taking cheap shots.

“No.” The corner of his lips twitched down.

I peeked over at Tobias.

“He knows nothing, but he thinks it has to do with the trial and Imogen.” His eyes suddenly flared, and he whipped his arm out to grab Bastien. “Love, grab him.”

I jumped to my knees and reached back to bunch Bastien’s overcoat. His suspenders snapped under my grip. Bastien snarled at Corbin and one of his arms swept me behind him. He angled me as if protecting me from the other vampire.

I sputtered the edge of his coat from my mouth and wiggled my head out from under his arm. Corbin stood at the other end of the room, his eyes wide. Although he remained here, staring in awe, he stood near an exit.

“We will look into the situation,” Tobias murmured. “Contact Talia if you come into new information.”

“Yes, Sire.”

Bastien squeezed his eyes tight and shook his head as if shaking away cobwebs. He shuddered and squeezed me.

“Thank you, Little One.”

I reached up and brushed his hair back to cup his cheek. His golden, tan skin complemented the melanin in mine to perfection.

“Anytime.”

“I have regained my senses.” Bastien nodded to Tobias. “Has Ren contacted us?”

“Not yet,” Tobias said as we began to walk to the front door. It wasn’t a far walk since it opened into the living room we’d been in. The door snicked behind us.

“You know, you two remind me of each other sometimes,” I said, extricating myself from Bastien’s grip. They created a barrier in front of me with my back to the door. As always, protecting me.

“That’s interesting, considering the differences in our belief system.” It took me a moment to grasp what he was saying. Bastien believed in science, and Tobias in God.

“Huh, that’s true.” I turned from one to the other. “Maybe it’s because you’re both superold.” I emphasized the old.

Bastien looked over my head at Tobias.

“I believe we were just insulted.”

Tobias chuckled.

I turned to Tobias. I tossed my arms around his neck, his hands propped on my waist, immediately pulling me tight to him.

“If she’s watching, I want her livid,” I whispered in his ear. Then regretted it. “Sorry.” Inserted foot in mouth. He was her brother. It wasn’t fair to put him in this position. His arms squeezed me tighter until I could feel the outline of his cock.

“You never have to apologize to me, Love.”

“Do you think she’s sending a message?”

His arms squeezed me.

“Most definitely.” He nuzzled my ear. “There is nothing she hates more than not being the center of attention. The only timeI have seen her avoid making something about herself was when the Coven took on a version of Ren’s surname.”

“‘Crimson’ is because of Ren?” I never gave thought to the origin of their names.

Tobias hummed his affirmative.

I sighed, flexing my fingers in his pull-over sweater.

“She’ll come for me.”