I smiled, and my lips parted to answer when Isaac’s head whipped forward. For a second, the skin between his brows creased almost unnaturally, and a man stepped out from behind a tree.
I went still, my pulse instantly going wild as Dorian stared at Issac.
What the hell is he doing here?
Neither man spoke, but the forest grew cold with the tension in the air. Dorian's face was blank, his shoulders relaxed, and his overall demeanor was calm, but I could tell that he was on high alert from his unwavering stare, and so was Issac with how frozen he'd become. He wasn't even blinking anymore.
It dawned on me then that vampires didn't need to breathe, but I'd seen Isaac's chest rising and falling like he was breathing earlier.
"Marian," Dorian spoke, and my jaws clenched.
His voice was so different yet the same. He'd always had a deep voice, but now there was a hint of huskiness to his words. At 45 years old, he looked mature and his stare had become even colder. Before, despite not being friendly and open, there was warmth in his eyes, but now, it was gone.
I knew, without a doubt, I didn’t know Dorian anymore.
What happened to him?
When I saw him before in the restaurant, he was sitting, but now I could fully see how much he'd changed and was stunned to see both his arms covered in tattoos.
His hands were buried in his pockets, and his eyes were still on Isaac, although he'd said my name.
"Yes?" I replied, and his eyes drifted away from Isaac to me.
"Killian wants to see you," he said, and neither he nor I looked away.
We stared at each other, my gaze glued to him against my will. Years had gone by since I'd stared into his eyes. Years had gone by since I felt the weight of his stare, and it was something I'd once loved.
Now, I couldn't tell what he was thinking. His dark eyes were like curtains revealing nothing.
"Okay," I said after a while and cleared my throat while turning to Isaac. "I'm sorry, but I have to get going."
He nodded and stood up before giving me his hand to help me up as well.
“I understand,” he said with a smile. “I’ll see you around, Marian.”
I nodded, and Isaac looked at Dorian once more before walking away. I watched him go, crossing the trail to the other side of the forest and then vanishing.
I walked away without turning to Dorian, heading back the way I came to get home. When he pulled up by my side, I avoided turning to him. Clenching my teeth, we walked in silence for two minutes before he spoke.
"How do you know that vampire?" Dorian inquired, and I shook my head with disbelief.
Almost a decade, that's how long we hadn't seen each other, and this was his first question? This man was unbelievable, and why the hell was he following me? I didn't want him at my house, and I wasn't going to head to the pack with him.
I could find my own way without an escort.
"Hello, Marian. How are you? Are you well?" I retorted sarcastically, and from my peripheral vision, I could see Dorian looking my way.
"How are you, Marian?" he asked with emphasis to make the question his, and I shook my head. I supposed that when it was clear, I wasn't going to answer, he touched my elbow gently for me to stop walking and turn to him. "How do you know that vampire?"
I stared at him for a moment, debating how I should respond. I wanted to be snappy and say something that would cut him deep, but I also wanted to give him the silent treatment, just as he'd done to me countless times before.
My calls went unanswered, and my text messages too. He slowly pushed me away, and now here he was, questioning me about a vampire as if he cared. I knew what this was. This was a Hunter's reaction to seeing a vampire. That was all.
"We met in town a few days ago," I replied with a bit of venom in my voice.
“Stay away from him, Marian.”
For a second, I only stared at Dorian, shocked at the balls on this man. Were they too heavy, and the weight and struggle were going to his brain? Who did he think he was, telling me who I could speak to or not?