The Dare of Truth [slash]

Chapter 8

Othric's elegant office was on the top floor of the hotel, its big window showing a beautiful view over the city. But Fyn barely noticed it. All he wanted was to get this talk over with and return to his friends. Since his anger was mainly directed at Othric now, he'd already started to forgive Kalish. Their friendship was more important than a silly fight, and although Fyn still felt he had every right to be furious, he didn't want to risk losing his best friend.

"Can I offer you something to drink?" Othric Holden asked him.

The journalist declined. "Thanks, I'm good. Let's just talk."

The sire offered him a seat, and they both sat down opposite each other in nice, expensive armchairs with a little glass table between them.

"Mr. Sheldon, I'm sorry for your first impression of me, and I would have liked to meet you before," Othric began with a serious expression on his face. "Since you're Kalish's best friend, I wanted to be on your good side of course since Kalish wishes you to be his best man at the bonding ceremony. But you being an investigative journalist made me wary of you, to speak frankly. I've always tried to stay out of the papers except for very big occasions that not only affect my private life, but the future of the family business."

"I can understand that. But I've never betrayed a confidence, and I strictly differentiate between work and private life," Fyn answered as calmly as possible. "And Kalish has known me long enough to know that. You had absolutely no right to forbid him to tell me about the engagement."

"I didn't forbid him anything," the sire clarified with narrowed eyes. "I simply suggested it, and Kalish agreed after much hesitation. Whatever you might think, I'm not pushing him around or treat him like a child who's yet unable to make decisions. I'm simply concerned about my public image."

Fyn rolled his eyes. "And that's supposed to make me feel better? Listen, Mr. Holden, I don't care. All I care about is my best friend. Kalish is a wonderful person; he's kind, intelligent, and lively. And I wish him to stay that way. It doesn't matter how much he might love you, he'll wither away like a plant without sunlight if you try to change him in any way."

To his astonishment, Othric smiled. It made him look younger and less stern. "Those are the very things about Kalish that made me fall in love with him, and forests forbid I ever try to change him. But after everything my family's been through, you might understand that I have to be careful in rebuilding our family's reputation. The name Holden stood for integrity and honest work for thousands of years, and my brother and Sylair managed to ruin that in just a few weeks."

"Speaking of your family... there are some things I'd like to know as well." Fyn leaned forward and held Othric's gaze, as pastel green as his own. "But I guess you have questions as well."

"I do," the sire said. "Has there ever been any proof as to Aravin being your sire?"

"No. In fact, my father told me that Aravin had ordered a paternity test when I was a kid, and it turned out negative. But nobody ever spoke of it, and my birth certificate lists him as my sire. My last name, however, is Sheldon, since the man who raised me adopted me. I've never had any claim to the Holden name and I don't want it, if that's what you're asking." Fyn sighed. "I actually learned all that just a few hours ago. Until now, I didn't want to know the truth."