Vaylen Blaze.
This was the third time I'd met him.
But unlike the first two, when he was accompanied with an entourage and a spine, this time he was alone.
He sat timidly on the sofa, shoulders hunched, head bowed so low it looked like he might fold into himself at any moment.
"What is it?" Lucian's cold voice sliced through the air, chilling the entire living room.
Vaylen gulped, the sound audible even from where I stood.
Slowly, he lifted his head. I could see him trying to gather whatever scraps of courage he had left before looking Lucian in the eye.
"I… I need to talk to Celeste…" he finally said.
His voice was low, wavering.
Already defeated before the conversation even started.
"And… what for?" Lucian asked, leaning forward. He tried to sound casual, but it still came out intimidating.
Vaylen gulped again, this time louder, more obvious. "H-her mother is having a fever because she's… missing her."
