Michael led Varga to the main area. He turned around with a serious look on his face.

'If you even think she is starting to wake up, you come to me immediately. I don't care if you have to fly through the coven.'

Varga knew Michael was just annoyed by David and decided to play it safe. 'Yes, sir.' He replied formally.

Michael walked out and mumbled something about hitting David. Varga felt Michaels' reluctance to leave Selene but couldn't help smirking. David really had bad timing. He walked back into the bedroom. Eve looked up from her book and smiled. Her smile was genuine, but there was sadness in her eyes.

'Are you ok Eve?'

'I will be.' She replied without meeting his eyes.

'When your father is back, you want to shoot some arrows?' Eve got a small sparkle in her eyes, but Varga knew the answer already, she wouldn't leave her mother before she woke up. 'What are you reading?' He said, changing the subject.

'Some kind of history book. Did you know the library is full of these history books from the perspective of the vampires? Lida told me completely different stories.' Eve smiled.

'I'm not really the reading kind of guy. I'd rather fight.' Varga said. 'The vampire that turned me didn't really care about the history of the covens. He needed fighters.'

'Well, you should try it sometime. It's fun.' Eve said. 'There are some nasty ones in the infirmary which are up your alley.'

'Tell me more.' Varga was genuinely interested.

'I haven't read them yet, but I have one here if you want. Connar said it was a nice one to begin with if I wanted to know more about my fathers' work.'

'Thinking about a career in the infirmary?'

'I think people are expecting it, but I like fighting more.' Eve admitted. 'Please don't tell my parents. They hate it when I want to fight.'

'I won't tell a soul.' Varga winked. 'Those books from the infirmary, do they contain passages about weak spots I can use for training purposes?'

Eve threw him a book. 'Why don't you find out for yourself?'

Varga turned the book around and saw it was a journal. The cover had yellowed and the title was barely visible. 'Poisons? Connar gave you a book on poisons? I bet your parents liked that very much.' Varga smirked.

'I kind of didn't tell them and made Connar swear to keep his mouth shut.' Eve admitted.

'How did you manage that?' Varga smirked.

'I probably shouldn't say.'

'Eve, you simply cannot dangle a carrot in front of me and take it away. Spill.' Varga teased. He knew she would tell him anyway.

'I might have said I am the daughter of an Elder and of his boss, making me his superior.' Eve said embarrassed.

Varga laughed. 'I am truly surprised Eve. I didn't know you had it in you.' Varga stood up and bowed. 'My princess.'

Eve threw another book at him, which he easily dodged and laughed even harder. 'You truly are a daughter of Selene.'

'Just read your book.' Eve said, trying to get him off her back.

'Yes, Ma'am.' Varga said, mocking Eve even more.

Varga loved messing with Eve, she responded the same way her mother did. They both hated the gained titles and the way most people treated them as royalty. He had to admit it was good to know she was using her status to get her way.

The book Eve had thrown at him was still in his hands. He opened it and figured it was a journal of a coven physician. The first page described the physician himself and the aim of his research. Varga skimmed over the first few pages until his eye was drawn to some familiar words. The physician had done research on both Nightshade and Black Dusk.

'Eve?' Varga asked and she looked up from her book. 'Do you know if Connar has more journals from this physician?'

'He has a room full of journals, you have to ask him about that specific physician. Why? Don't say you are suddenly interested in books.'

'I might be. This fellow is quite interesting.'

'Why don't you first start with actually reading this one, before you want to dig through all the journals, mister I-rather-fight.' Eve smirked.

'The little princess is quite a smarty-pants.'

'Watch your tone.' Eve said, trying to imitate her mother. Varga laughed and threw the book back to Eve. She too started laughing. After a few seconds, they both fell silent as they remembered what was going on. Without a word, Varga retrieved the journal and they continued reading.

Varga was genuinely interested in the journal. He started reading about the experiments the guy had performed. Even Varga had to admit the physician had some weird ideas for experiments, but the information might be useful for some specialized training or missions. Varga was halfway through the journal when he heard the door open. He looked up and saw Eve put her book away as Michael entered the room.

'Is aunt Lena coming?' Eve asked.

Michael raised an eyebrow but didn't respond to the fact his daughter had been listening into their conversation.

'No, David and I managed to change her mind. She will be staying at the Nordic coven for now, but we had to promise to give her daily updates. We have decided not to tell the coven what happened yet. We need to find the person responsible. David didn't agree, but Lena was on my side.' Michael explained. 'And you have to call her soon, Eve. Lena wants to hear from you how you are doing.'

'I was planning on calling her when we got back anyway. Can it wait till after mom wakes up?' Eve asked.

'It sure can.' Michael replied. 'How is she doing?'

'Her heart rate is getting stronger and so is her breathing.' Varga answered his question.

Michael listened. 'You're right. She might be waking up soon.'

'Really?'

Varga looked at Eve, her eyes had lit up. Her smile had reached her eyes and it made the room lighten up too. Even Varga felt a small weight lift off his shoulders.

Michael checked one of the bandages and smiled. 'Yes, it shouldn't be that long. The wounds seem better than they did an hour ago.'

Eve jumped off the bed and hugged her father. Eve had pretended to be doing quite OK with all that was happening, but Varga knew better and this was the release he was waiting for. She could finally let go. He smiled seeing the young women happy again.

Varga pretended to read his journal to give the two some space. Eve moved back to the bed and started reading too. They all started to relax bit by bit as the minutes passed by. A few times Selene would move a finger, they would look up and see she was still asleep. But suddenly they heard a deeper breath followed by a whimper.

'Mom?'