Missing Research

When we finally made it downstairs, dinner was over and everyone had gathered in the game room. I apologized to Christine for our absence at the table, but the older woman smiled knowingly.

“Don’t worry about it, Hailey. There’s some leftover pasta in the fridge, despite the best efforts of those two,” she nodded towards the group who were circling the pool table.

“Thankfully Lucius and Michael didn’t eat us out of house and home this time.” The two young men in question grinned and Lucius called out,

“We’re growing boys. We need our food.” Susan, who was also there, simply rolled her eyes, and resignedly shook her head.

“Are you sure you want to be bonded to this one, Susan?” Killian asked from his position leaning against the doorframe.

“I ask myself that question every day.” She responded dryly. Lucius affected a wounded pose before turning back to his game.

Natalia was standing in the corner observing the others and being her characteristically quiet self. When the girl glance