Lucien sat behind his desk, flipping through a thin report while a half-finished glass of wine stood beside him. His study was quiet except for the faint crackle of the fire. The vampire seemed uncharacteristically calm—especially after the crazed events of the previous night but it would only take a perceptive glance at him to notice a storm brewing within.
A brief knock on the door disturbed his focus.
"Enter," he said.
Dorian stepped inside, head bowed slightly.
Lucien didn't look up. "I sent for you nearly two hours ago. You're late."
"Apologies, I was attending the Trial."
"That was nearly four hours ago."
"I was briefly detained by the palace guards on my way here," Dorian replied. "They're still on edge since the Queen's release and were searching for–"
Lucien shut the file. "––Ah, yes. Our noble Countess's masterpiece collapsing before the finish line." He looked up finally, eyes glinting faintly. "I heard she was captured while trying to escape?"
