Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 834

After leaving the Palmer estate, Sire got on his old, beat-up bicycle and pedaled away. The bike creaked in the quiet streets, his solitary figure casting a long, lonely shadow under the streetlights.

He arrived at the house Haskell had rented for him and Rigby, parked his bike, and went inside.

"Sire, you're back," Rigby said, looking up from the script he was rehearsing.

Sire nodded, his face impassive, but his eyes held a deep, unspoken weariness.

"Dinner's ready," Rigby said, putting down his script and moving to the dining table.

Sire nodded again, went to the kitchen, and washed his hands. His movements were slow, as if even this simple task was an effort.

He sat down at the table, where two simple dishes were laid out: beef with tomatoes and green beans in crab sauce. They were humble, home-cooked meals, but they looked delicious.

Rigby hesitated before finally asking the question that had been on his mind for days. "Sire, you've been working at the Palmer estate for a while now. Have you had any contact with Zoltan?"

Sire shook his head, not mentioning what he had overheard Solomon say. He knew Rigby still wanted to believe his brother, Haskell. It didn't matter. He had already decided that avenging Romilly was a task he would carry out alone. He didn't want her son's hands to be stained with blood. He was already a demon with blood on his hands; another descent into darkness meant nothing to him.

"Sire, are you hiding something from me?" Rigby pressed.

Sire put down his fork and began to sign.

Sire nodded and continued eating.

Rigby looked at Sire, knowing he didn't want to discuss the topic any further. He fell silent and focused on his meal.

They finished the meal in silence. Sire put down his utensils and went to his room.

Rigby cleared the table, washed the dishes, and then picked up his script and returned to his own room, which was overflowing with clothes, shoes, and supplements that had been sent over.

Just as he was about to sit down, his phone rang. The screen displayed Haskell's name.