Page 337 of Halfblood Deceived

Aylana stepped back. “It definitely did.”

Sebastian all but materialized in front of Aella, lifting her off her feet with a tight hug. “You almost gave me gray hairs. How rude of you.”

Aella laughed looking at Zeydan over Sebastian’s shoulder. He merely smiled.

“I’ll abstain from getting kidnapped just to help you keep your perfect hair, Sebastian,” Aella said wryly.

He chuckled, letting her go. “Sarcasm and half-vampirism suit you, Aella.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Sebastian gave Zeydan an expectant, wicked look as he sat next to Aylana again. He was no doubt remembering Zeydan growling at him the last time he’d been so close to Aella,

Zeydan merely arched a brow at the blond.

Gabby beamed at Aella. “I’m glad to see you on your feet again, honey.”

Aella smiled. “Thank you. I am tired of ending up in bed every few days.”

“It is wonderful to have you back, Aella,” Lex said with a kind smile. He leaned forward and gave her a conspiratorial look. “Why was Diana calling us nosy buggers”

“Aside from the fact that you are all nosy buggers, you mean?” Zeydan asked wryly.

Aella huffed as she sat between him and Aiko.

The child looked much healthier already. She had weight to gain, but she wasn’t as pale anymore. She was dressed much like Aella in leggings and a fluffy sweater. Her hair was now in a cute pixie cut.

“Evan fixed my hair,” Aiko said. Her voice, despite its softness, sounded mercifully less hollow. “Do you like it?” she asked Aella, blue eyes uncertain.

Aella smiled and gave Aiko’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I love it. You look beautiful. How are you feeling?”

The ghost of a smile danced on Aiko’s lips. “Better. My fangs are almost fully regrown.”

“I’m glad,” Aella said.

Lex examined Aella. “Half vampirism really does suit you. You look much healthier.”

She smiled, feeling embarrassed. “Thank you.”

“Careful, Lex,” Sebastian warned with an unholy grin. “Zeydan here might growl at you if you compliment Aella too much.”

“Like you growl at Aroth when he flirts with Aylana?” Zeydan asked.

Sebastian growled.

Aylana laughed, sharing a complicit look with Aella. “Males.”

Aella sighed but she couldn’t control her smile. “Indeed.”

“What were Diana, Evan, and you gossiping about before coming in here?” Gabby asked Aella.

She cringed inwardly, doing her best not to look at Andreas or Mari. “Er…”

“Does it have something to do with a secret group chat, maybe?” Zeydan asked innocently as he took a steak from a tray and placed it on Aella’s plate.

“Which group chat?” Kerian asked. “Aella’s support group? Zeydan’s slightly less supportive and very scolding group? Or Andreas and—”

“KERIAN!” cried Evan, Lex, Gabby, Aylana, and Sebastian.

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