“All across social media sites today, disturbing videos depicting the apparent rape and murder of several women were posted. As the murders appeared to be actual vampires draining their victims dry of blood, this alarming multitudes of people, experts examined these videos and found them to be an elaborate hoax, seemingly perpetuated for no purpose but to shock the masses and titillate the few who might find this depravity appealing. A task force of federal law enforcement has been created to track and arrest the individuals responsible. And the large social media sites have sent widespread messages to their users that if any of these videos were again shared, the user would face lifetime bans from their site.”

And there it was—Gregor’s media specialists had done their jobs.

“You agree with that play?” Abel asked Callum, who was standing beside him in the same stance.

Jian-Li and Regan were sitting on the couch in front of them, their attention to the TV.

Sonia and Delilah were up in Lucien and Leah’s bedroom, giving Leah whatever they had to give and checking on her state of mind.

“No good play after that,” Callum answered. “The Dominion and my kingdom come out saying there actually are immortals, but we’re not all murdering rapists, it’d cause mass panic.”

He wasn’t wrong.

“After that shit, how we gonna lead humans and supernaturals into living together harmoniously?” Abel asked.

“No fucking clue,” Callum replied.

Jian-Li turned her head and looked over the couch at Abel. He forced a smile her way. She forced one back.

While that was happening, Regan looked over the couch at her son. When Abel caught her smile, he figured they were doing the same thing.

“Want my mate,” he muttered, pushing away from the wall.

“Same. I’ll go with you,” Callum said.

Abel moved to Jian-Li first, reached out a hand, and touched his finger to her chin.

“I’m gonna call it a night, tian xin,” he told her as he heard Callum murmuring to Regan.

“All right, my Abel,” she replied.

“You okay?” he asked.

“It has not been a good day.”

He shook his head. “No.”

He said it, it was more than true, but he hated looking into her face, seeing her worried eyes, unable to do shit about it.

“We’ll have good luck soon,” she said softly.

He hoped like fuck she was right.

“Sleep well,” he said.

“And you,” she replied.

He moved away, waited briefly at the door for Callum to follow him, and they walked silently together to Lucien and Leah’s room.

Callum glanced at him before rapping his knuckles on the door once.

In moments, it was opened and Delilah was poking out her head.

“Time for bed, bao bei,” he told her quietly.

She nodded to him and looked to Callum. “You want Sonia?”

“Yes, unless Leah needs her.”