"When did you return?" Melody asked as she moved around the kitchen, glancing up at Revelation, who was staring down at the pile of candy on the tray. Melody looked away, then glanced back at her again.
"I returned last night," Revelation replied with a soft smile. Melody nodded, and Katherine—who had been listening—turned around, one hand resting on her waist.
"But weren't you the one who said you were only going to spend two days? You ended up staying a whole week," Katherine said.
Revelation laughed, her eyes darting around the kitchen. "Well, you know, I really did think I was only going to stay two days… but something happened."
Katherine glanced at Melody. They exchanged a quick look and simply nodded.
"Anyway, where's the Missus? I haven't seen her in a while," Rev asked.
"Oh, right. I forgot to mention—she won't be around for a while," Katherine replied.
Rev turned to her. "And why not?"
Melody was the one who answered. "I don't know. He didn't tell us anything."
Rev looked at both of them, but they simply went back to their work.
Just then, a small voice called from behind her. "Rev!"
She turned, and in a flurry of arms and legs, Daisy collided with her. Rev laughed, scooping her up.
"Birthday girl," she said warmly. Daisy giggled, wrapping her arms around her neck.
"I missed you, Revelation! I thought you weren't coming back."
"Of course I came back. I wouldn't miss your birthday for anything."
Daisy laughed. "Did you get me a present?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I?"
"Yay! Now I have so many presents!"
"That's right. A princess like you should have plenty," Rev said, setting her gently on her feet.
Daisy stood on tiptoe and snatched one of the candies from the tray. Rev watched her with a fond smile.
"Rev, have you seen Uncle Kier?"
Rev frowned slightly. "No. Why?"
Daisy sighed. "I haven't seen him since I woke up. I thought he'd be the first person to wish me happy birthday, but… he's not here."
"Are you sure you looked everywhere for him?"
Daisy nodded. "Yes, I did."
Before Rev could say more, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Joy called from the living room.
Rev crouched slightly so she was eye level with Daisy. "Okay, let's look for him together. Maybe he's somewhere around here… fixing up your presents."
"You think so?"
Rev smiled, taking Daisy's hand as they started toward the kitchen doors. "I know so. You know he adores you. He wouldn't miss this day."
Daisy didn't notice the faintly strange tone in Rev's voice—the one that almost made the words sound like they had another meaning.
But before they could step through the doorway, it burst open. Up to a dozen children rushed in, shouting, "Daisy!" The sudden noise made both of them jump.
Daisy's eyes went wide. She'd been expecting her friends, but not this many. Rev stepped back as the crowd of small bodies swarmed Daisy, muttering and mumbling over each other.
They crowded in like a stampede of tiny humans, their voices bouncing off the kitchen walls.
"Happy birthday, Daisy!"
"Whoa, is that your bear?"
"Your house is huge!"
"I brought you a bracelet but it's in my mom's bag."
"Can we have cake yet?"
"Where's the bathroom?"
"I saw a pony outside! Is it for us?"
"Your dress is so shiny!"
"I'm telling you, I'm getting the first slice."
"No, I am."
"Do we get to play in the garden?"
"My mom said not to touch anything."
"Too late, I touched the candy."
Daisy stood frozen in the middle of it all, Moonie tucked tightly under her arm like he might need rescuing.
Revelation laughed softly from behind her, amused by the chaos. From the living room came the hum of adult voices—probably the parents. Some of the children Daisy recognized from school, others from the neighborhood. The air smelled of vanilla, fresh flowers, and something warm baking in the oven.
But even with all the noise and color, Daisy's eyes kept drifting toward the hallway. Still no Uncle Kier.
---
Later…
Revelation slipped into the hallway, her eyes scanning for anyone nearby. No one. She smiled faintly and moved farther along, until she was almost at Knight's room. She reached out, just a step away—
"Hello, kitty."
The deep voice, tinged with a faint Italian accent, made her freeze. She didn't need to turn to know who it was.
But she did anyway.
Standing just a few feet away was Fang, dressed head-to-toe in black. She knew that under the dark fabric, every inch of him was armored.
She stared up at him, her heart pounding so hard it almost hurt. Since the day she'd left the estate, she hadn't seen him—well, she had, but never this close. Not close enough to feel the heat coming off him.
She cleared her throat, trying to steady her voice. "Are you following me?" She aimed for sharp and cold, but to her annoyance, it came out soft.
He didn't answer. He just started stepping closer.
Rev's hand slid behind her in what looked like a casual motion—just adjusting her apron—but her fingers found the leather-wrapped handle of the machete sword strapped horizontally along the small of her back, hidden beneath the folds of her maid dress. The familiar grip was a quiet reassurance, her silent promise to herself.
She kept her gaze locked on him, forcing her face into something calm, even as every muscle in her body was drawn tight, ready.
Fang's eyes flicked down for the briefest moment, and she knew he'd caught the movement. His smirk deepened.
"Still carrying sharp toys, I see," he murmured.
"Old habits," she said evenly, her thumb brushing over the guard. If he took one more step, the blade would clear the sheath in a single, practiced motion.
But he didn't stop. He kept coming, until the space between them vanished and their bodies touched. They just stared, the air between them thick, neither willing to move.
"I missed you, kitten," he said, his voice low.
"I hate you," she replied, but her tone betrayed nothing.
And no one could say who moved first.