Irlana returned to the kitchen while Xiran sat down to sip the delicious tea she had made for him. It was soothing to the senses. Rivan began to drink the blood his butler had brought and both friends resumed their conversation.

"After the hunters left, Amonidus and I had a separate meeting. One of his informants attended the birthday party of Xifin at Sohlia’s residence and rescued an elf from there. That elf provided some sensitive information including how the serums to make ’dark elves’ and other hybrids, tribrids and chimeras are being made," Xiran confided in his friend in a hushed voice.

"Oh! How did that elf know?" Rivan asked taking a sip from his glass.

"He had been kept in the lab for a long time, so he picked up the conversation of doctors and my father. The elven boy had studied medicine so he understood more than a normal person would have," Xiran explained as he finished his tea.

"I see."

"Apparently my father is using his blood as one of the ingredients. He is also using the blood of older vampires including Xifin to generate a new species of bloodhounds. They will have features of both vampires and hounds, faster and more ferocious."

Xiran continued to confide in his friend what Amonidus had told him.

"They will wreak havoc on everything and everyone in their path," Rivan added.

"Exactly, and Xifin knows all about his plans, this piece of information was collected from him. He was blabbing to his girlfriend after the party," Xiran explained, wondering how the informant got close enough to listen to their conversation without getting caught.

"Of course, Xifin knows. He is the favoured son, after all," Rivan added dryly, taking the last sip from his glass.

Butler came and informed them that the dinner had been served. Both friends got up and washed their hands before making their way to the dining table. A lavish dinner had been laid out for them, featuring all their favorite dishes.

A beaming Irlana made her way to them and both of them couldn’t help but smile at her.

"Everything looks so appetizing, Irlana you should be a cook," Xiran complimented his sister who couldn’t help but blush.

"Yes, her cooking is exceptional. She has been cooking random dishes for me but tonight she finally asked and made my favorite only because she was making yours and didn’t want me to feel left out," Rivan teased and Xiran laughed while Irlana just hid her face.

The dinner continued as Rivan and Irlana told Xiran about their respective days. The winter gala had been a success and huge orders were flying in from all over the continent.

After dinner, they settled back into the living room with some wine. "Irlana, thank you for the food. It was made with love and I enjoyed every morsel," Xiran lovingly patted her head.

"You are very welcome, I am just glad I could cook for you," she added with a smile.

"So, where is Rumail? Has he visited you lately? I haven’t heard from him in a couple of days," Xiran turned his attention to Rivan.

"He is off the radar, his secret girlfriend is back in town. So he is spending time with her," Rivan smirked.

"Ohh! It’s strange that to this day we still have no clue who she is. He hides her well," Xiran added with a laugh.

"No doubt, I could find out but I want to respect their privacy," Rivan answered and Xiran nodded in approval and said:

"Let him have fun, he will tell us when he wants to."

Rivan’s phone began to ring and he took it out to see the caller ID.

"Excuse me, I will have to take this. It’s one of the clients," Rivan apologized and taking his phone went to his room, leaving the siblings alone to mingle.

"Brother, why was your heart so heavy, earlier? You can discuss it with me," Irlana asked giving her full attention to her brother.

"Ah! I did something necessary but I hurt the person I did too," Xiran’s expression changed from gaiety to dejected ones.

"Tell me everything, you can erase my memories later on so I won’t remember. But I am sure your heart will ease up and maybe I can give some sisterly advice,"

So Xiran told his sister everything, his love for Aselia, her revenge plans, and what he had done to keep her away from their father. Now he was afraid of the consequences, afraid of losing her. Irlana felt conflicted emotions, happy that her brother had someone in his life and sad that their father’s looming presence was creating chaos in their lives.

"Brother, I understand your need to protect her, but your method was wrong. Trust is not something that is earned in a day and you broke hers. You need to win it back, win her back, and apologize. I recommend you go to her now and win her over once again," Irlana replied calmly.

"Yes, I think I will have to visit her. But I don’t want to go to that wretched place where she lives. I can’t stand it after what happened there."

Xiran gritted his teeth in annoyance and had a forlorn look in his eyes. Irlana placed her hand on his back to comfort him and unconsciously he placed his head on her shoulder. She smiled and rubbed his back, it was a beautiful feeling to have a sister.

She kept comforting him and his eyes began to droop until he fell asleep on her soothing shoulder. Irlana sat quietly, not moving a muscle, she didn’t want to wake him. Rivan returned from his phone call and found him sleeping. So he calmly told Irlana:

"I think I will shift him to Rumail’s room. I want him to stay with us for a few days," Irlana quietly nodded but Xiran woke up.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I didn’t mean to sleep like that."

"No worries, I don’t mind," Irlana smiled at him.

"Stay here, Xiran. I don’t want you to be alone," Rivan instructed. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Ok, but I need to check with Yurian if they have reached safely," he then turned to Irlana and dismally spoke:

"I apologize but I will have to take your memories."

"It’s alright, I know," she took his hands and placed them on her temples.