A Torturous Dinner

[Third POV]

"Damon, what do you think of Delilah and Daniel?" Dahlia asked Damon over dinner with her father. On the dining table was a veritable spread of hearty meats and fresh vegetables, taunting Damon with their presence. If Damon dared to ruin this dinner, Fangborne would not be eating well at all. 

He shoveled another mouthful of food into his mouth, willing himself to be nothing more than a consummate guest for the time being. He would be patient and polite until Blaise finally reported back.

"Huh?" Damon blinked in confusion. "Who are they?" He didn't recall knowing anyone else with those names. As far as he knew, Dahlia only had a brother Darach, who was now out gallivanting with his fated mate and his brother. 

Darach's chair was left empty at dinner, and it didn't escape Damon's notice that his chair was at the very far end of the table, as though someone had simply slotted it in as an afterthought. It didn't even seem used.