"Not a word," Dmitri muttered as the man finally fled the kitchen. Leaning against the counter, he released a slow breath, gums aching and his ears picking up the man's receding footsteps. Hunter instincts wanted to give chase, the urge so visceral Dmitri kept himself perfectly still lest he give into the temptation.<br/><br/>"What did you expect to happen?" Reyna simpered, closing the oven door with more force than absolutely necessary, "Now if you don't mind, I've got a dinner to finish putting together." She dusted her hands on the floral apron, shooting Dmitri a glare before she set about cleaning up and putting the last finishing touches on dinner.<br/><br/>Dmitri let out a low snarl and stormed from the kitchen. More annoyed than he'd been when he'd first entered. His mood soured all because the man had taunted him. An outright provocation made to look like something else. As if Dmitri would sink to his baser instincts. As if he needed permission, needed reminding.<br/><br/>Noah was left to his own devices for the next hour. If one took the time to notice, they'd realize that an eerie quiet shrouded the place. A deceptive silence, occasionally interrupted by unintelligible whispers in the walls. The floors didn't creek, the doors didn't groan. Save for the ambient noise leaking in through an open door or window, only the whispers offered any sound of life on the inside. Reyna and Geoffrey the only staff members who were a constant presence around the estate. The rest of the staff came and went as ghostly silent as their employer. Every now again one might catch a glimpse of shadowy figures lingering just on the edge of one's vision. Gone as if they were never there when one tried to look at them head on.<br/><br/>Not expecting to see anything of Noah until she called him down for dinner, Reyna was more than a little surprised when Noah breezed into the kitchen, the timid creature from early replaced by a man with newfound purpose.<br/><br/>Reyna's expression brightened when Noah announced that he'd changed his mind about going with her shopping. It took a great amount of restraint for her not to jump up and down and clap her hands in excitement. Instead she bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, resisting the urge to let out a squeal as she gave the male a wide smile, dark eyes sparkling, "We're going to have so much fun you and I!" She exclaimed, having a hard time containing her excitement. It wasn't often that she had willing company when she went shopping. Geoffrey, a silent, solemn companion, more bodyguard than shopping buddy. Dima, so easily distracted by some shiny object or pretty little thing and quick to leave Reyna to entertain herself. And Bellamy...the less time she spent in her brother's presence the better.<br/><br/>"Here," She pushed a plate of steaming vegetables into Noah's hands, "help me set the table." Quickly informing Noah of where the dining room was, she went to check on the resting steaks, "We can go right after dinner!" She called after him.<br/><br/>The dining room that was most used and the smaller of two could still seat at least a dozen people. The large floor to ceiling windows that took up most of one wall had the curtains drawn back, overlooking a portion of the gardens. The sun dipped low on the horizon as night quickly approached, casting a warm glow over the room. The master of the house sat at the head of table, a glass of wine in one hand while the other flipped through one of the many thick Manila folders that took up most of the table in front of him.<br/><br/>Noah earned himself a lazy grin as he stepped into the dining room, any evidence of the vampire's earlier displeasure none existent, "I suppose it's a good sign that you don't plan on starving yourself." Setting aside the folder he'd been flipping through, he leaned over to pat the seat to the left of him, clearly indicating that Noah would sit there.<br/><br/>Reyna practically skipped into the dining soon after, both hands full with teetering dishes that she just managed to sit down without spilling, "Noah's coming with me," she said, before her expression sobered somewhat, "...He can still come can't he?"<br/><br/>Dmitri studied the man, curious to what had changed, "I never said that he couldn't," he said, sitting back as Geoffrey materialized out of thin air, leaning over to gather up the mess of folders. Folders gathered the older man gave a slight before he was gone as quick and silent as he'd came. Reyna shot a triumphant smile in Noah's direction, before she turned to fix his plate.<br/><br/>Dmitri hadn't once taken his eyes off Noah, still trying to figure what the other was plotting. "What changed your mind?"