Darren's POV
I sat in my study, going through an ancient book that had a few of its pages in tatters. The words were in an old language, the ink mostly faded. The goatskin was coarse to the touch, my meticulous care over the years not enough to preserve its delicate nature.
I had a cup of coffee on my right, the coffee just a necessary evil. It had no way of keeping me awake. I just didn't want to let my mind be distracted or wander off to depressing thoughts.
I had rushed back to the mansion with Diamond on my back, leaving Kristin to explain things to her mother. I knew my face would easily betray the reality of things and I needed to get Diamond back to the mansion as soon as possible. In an hour, Kristin had returned.