Page 66 of Halfblood Deceived

Sebastian went back to the kitchen, imitating Kerian’s accent.

Luce giggled.

Aylana and Kamilla stood to help Sebastian bring a massive bowl of salad, a tray with roasted potatoes, and stainless steel thermoses to the table.

Sebastian sat across from Aylana. Kamilla took her place at the head of the table again, and the small feast began.

Kamilla took a thermos for herself and slid the others to Sebastian, who kept one and passed them on until Andreas, Luce, Gabby, Zeydan, and Kerian had one, too.

Zeydan opened the lid of his and took a deep gulp. The scent of blood and spices reached Aella’s nose.

Aylana took two steaks and pushed the tray toward Lex, who grabbed two as well. Evan helped himself to the same amount and slid it to Aella.

She froze for a second too long, still confused by the obvious hospitality.

“Is it not to your liking, Aella?” Sebastian asked. “Kerian here tends to overcook the meat.”

Kerian lifted his chin imperiously. “My steaks are as perfect as I am.”

“Exactly,” Sebastian deadpanned.

Aella felt her lips curve and took a steak. The juices were red and perfect. Her mouth watered.

Zeydan placed a steak on his plate, too.

Aella gawked at him. “I thought vampires couldn’t eat.” She wanted to slap herself as Zeydan blinked. A rush of blood rose to her cheeks.

“I’m a halfblood,” Zeydan said with a reassuring smile. “I can’t eat carbs or some vegetables, but I need and like meat. Chicken is fine. I like citrus and pineapples too.”

Aella bit her lip. “Sorry.”

Zeydan shrugged. “Don’t be. I’d be curious, too.”

There was a similar passing of the potatoes, and salad, and everyone dug in. So Aella followed along. The meat was perfectly medium-rare and spiced with garlic, onions, wine, rosemary, and white pepper. She had to swallow back a groan.

Evan didn’t. “This is perfect.”

Lex nodded his agreement. His cheeks were too full to give a vocalized answer.

Kerian preened. “The chef welcomes your appreciation.”

“The chef shouldn’t refer to himself in the third person,” Sebastian said.

“Unless the chef is losing his marbles,” Kamilla agreed.

Aylana took a sip of water. “Did the chef have any marbles to begin with? That’s news to me.”

Luce snorted.

Lex, Gabby, and Evan chuckled quietly.

Zeydan shook his head, amused but unsurprised. As if it were common for the Davashkov siblings, Sebastian and Aylana to tease each other so openly.

Kerian huffed. “How you wound me.” He didn’t seem wounded at all.

Aella’s stomach twisted with painful hunger. With slightly shaky hands, she cut another piece of meat, then another and another, barely tasting the delicious juices. That achy knot in her gut unraveled with each bite. After what felt like mere seconds, there was nothing on her plate. She didn’t even remember eating her roasted potato and romaine lettuce salad.

Her face prickled, and she reluctantly lifted her eyes to see that everyone was looking at her, their plates still mostly full.

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