Chapter 768: Pannera

I half expected to run into resistance at Castle Sthol. Old habits die hard, after all. But instead of the typical animosity of the past, I was instead greeted with awe and more than a little fear by the vampires who stood guard at the front gate.

Yes, I could have landed myself and my vampire friends in the middle of Pannera's throne room. But I was learning diplomacy and figured sugar might get me farther than arrogance and bullying.

Sunny and Uncle Frank took the lead, Sassafras perched in my uncle's arms. Sebastian remained back, with me, his hand brushing mine twice as we entered the large gates at the front of the castle and were ushered inside.

On impulse, I flexed my fingers and felt his slip into mine. Guilt tried to rise, Liam's face. But I pushed it down, tightened my grip on Sebastian's hand.

Liam was gone. Had been for almost a year.

Time to move on, Syd.

I looked up, caught Sebastian's little smile, how his dark blue eyes watched me without pressure, but filled with