"We had no clue at all and we promise that we will keep your identity a secret, just like Rumail," Rivan spoke up from his seat and she nodded.

"Yes, your secret will be safe with us. So welcome to the team Amoris. I am honoured to have you on board," Xiran stood up and approached her and so did Rivan. He politely shook hands with her.

"Father regards you very highly Mr Xiran, he thinks of you as a son he never had. I appreciate the work you have been doing to keep the peace," Amoris appreciated him with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Recently I have been a failure but I strive to do better and keep all of you from harm’s way..." Xiran trailed off while clenching his jaw. He was reminded of his father. Rivan noticed that and changed the topic.

"Does Amondius know about the two of you?" he teased and Rumail nervously laughed while Amoris answered squeezing his hand which rested on her shoulder:

"He does and I don’t think he minds but we haven’t openly talked about it."

"Well, you are our sister from now on and part of our family. Anything you ever need, please don’t hesitate to ask," Rivan gave her a comforting smile and she thanked him in return.

They spoke some more before she put on her wig and mask and left with Rumail to enjoy the party. Leaving the two friends alone in the conference room.

"Shall we head out too?" Rivan inquired returning his attention to his friend who seemed lost in his train of thought.

"I think I am going to stay here for a while, not in the mood to mingle," Xiran went back to the seat he was previously occupying and sat down with one leg resting over the other.

"We need to be there for Frila. Didn’t you see how brave she is being out there, irrespective of everything that had happened?" Rivan tried to put some sense into his brooding friend and before he could reply they heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," Xiran ordered and opening the door Frila entered and respectfully stated:

"Sorry to disturb you Señor but Agent 93 would like a word, can I send him here?"

Xiran wanted to roll his eyes at how persistent the boy was. Giving up was something he didn’t seem to be familiar with. This was the fourth time he had requested a meeting with him and Xiran knew what he wanted to say.

"Send him, Frila," she bowed and left.

"What does he want?" Rivan curiously asked once the door closed.

"He wants the position of Carios in my life. I don’t know why he is so persistent on it, I have already refused him a couple of times."

"Could he be another spy from your father?" I don’t trust anyone now," Rivan was sceptical.

"He is a hunter and they thoroughly check on people they hire but could be. We certainly can’t be sure of them."

Another knock and Agent 93 entered with his usual smile and awkward stance.

"Hello!" he meekly added. His silky black hair was neatly combed backwards today. "How are you doing? It’s a great party," he nervously added, seeing the scrutinizing eyes of both vampires on him.

"What do you want?" Xiran sternly questioned.

"Can we speak alone?" his eyes fluttered to Rivan who scowled at him in return.

"You can freely speak in front of Rivan."

Agent 93 cleared his throat and continued: "I wanted to know if by any chance you have changed your mind about my offer."

"Why are you so hell-bent on this? What is your hidden agenda? If you are secretly working for my father and I found out about it. I will skin you alive," Xiran’s ruthless tone and the imminent threat his words carried didn’t scare the boy. Instead, his amiable smile turned into a sinister one as he replied:

"Your father is the reason I became a hunter. He took away the love of my life from me, she was an elf just like White Falcon. And there will be nothing more satisfying than watching him die a painful death. So, no I don’t work for your father but against him."

The room’s temperature seemed to have dropped by a few degrees due to eerily cold stares and deadly silence that followed his words.

"What is your name? Your real name and not the foolish ones your organization gives you," Xiran uncomfortably shifted in his position and asked.

"Zirius Whilnia."

"You belong to the Whilnia bloodline?" Xiran astonishingly asked.

"Yes, and my family has been fighting against the tyranny of your father for a long period, even though we are residents of Anthos and are pure-blooded vampires. We don’t approve of his actions."

"I see. Rivan, run a background check on him and see if he is telling the truth. Whilnia family has their official records online if his story is legit he will be there," Xiran asked his friend who was standing with his hands in his pockets and his eyes fixated on Agent 93.

"On it, I will call you with the information," Rivan then exited the room leaving them alone.

"Seems like everywhere I turn, I run into someone who has been affected by my father’s atrocities," Xiran spoke more to himself than to Agent 93. The bitterness of his words and the discomfort on his face were very vividly visible.

"Don’t forget that none of that is your fault. You carry too many of those burdens, let me help you ease them. Because for a long period, I held myself accountable for what happened to my girl and it ruined me. But then I realised, it wasn’t my fault, it was his and his alone and he needed to be gone."

Xiran astonishingly stared at the boy who always seemed so immature but had tons of wisdom hiding inside of him. Now, he understood why he was so intrigued by him and Aselia during that meeting. He must have seen himself and his girl in them. Xiran added:

"I am his son, I will always be accountable for his actions. He will make sure of that."

"Not if you don’t let him get the upper hand. Learn to let go at times for example today is a day to celebrate. The city is getting back on its feet, businesses are opening up and the hotel is back to running. It calls for a bit of celebration and not brooding. Come, let’s get drunk together and forget the worries for a little while."

His words were so soothing and his nature so friendly that Xiran couldn’t help but follow him outside, into the party which was in full swing.