Chapter 4

I didn't stand firmly enough, and the door swung open under my weight.

Damien's eyes flashed with panic.

"Serena, what are you doing here?"

"Don't overthink it," he rushed to explain. "Vivienne is the guardian of our coven's orphan ward, looking after all the children. She just happened to be here today to discuss Lucien's adoption..."

Vivienne stood, holding Lucien close as she gave me a casual wave.

"Serena, it's been a while."

From my position by the door, I forced a smile, swallowing my pain as my burns throbbed.

"It's fine. I was just looking around. Since you're busy, I won't disturb you. I'll wait in the car."

I turned to leave, my legs still unsteady from the Purified Essence coursing through my veins.

Damien thought I was upset and followed me, explanations tumbling from his lips.

"Please don't misunderstand. She's here all the time as the ward's guardian. All the children call her mother - it's just a title. Once the adoption is complete, I'll explain everything to Lucien."

Watching him fret over my supposed jealousy, I felt a hysterical urge to laugh.

All this elaborate planning, just to bring his secret child into the coven legally.

He hadn't hesitated to orchestrate the fire that scarred me.

Hadn't flinched when ordering the Purified Essence injection that destroyed my bloodline power.

And now he had everything he wanted, yet still played the concerned mate.

"Don't worry," I said softly. "I'm not unreasonable. Go handle the paperwork. I'll wait quietly in the car like a good Thrall should."

Relief flooded his face as he watched me walk away.

Every coven member I passed looked at me with barely concealed contempt.

Their whispers followed me:

"Poor thing doesn't even realize..."

"At least the burns will give her an excuse to hide away..."

"The Lord's being kind, taking in a Thrall..."

I ignored them all, pulling out my phone to continue the process of removing myself from the Blood Ledger.

My fingers shook as I typed, but not from weakness.

Through the window, I could see Damien and Vivienne bent over paperwork, Lucien playing happily at their feet.

The perfect family picture.

Built on my destruction.

To celebrate Lucien's adoption, Damien booked an entire cruise ship for a charity dinner.

I hid on the top deck, away from the festivities below.

Even there, I could hear the whispers and laughter of the coven elders, their mockery carrying on the sea breeze.

From my position near the railing, I watched the perfect family scene unfold below.

Damien stood proudly, presenting Lucien with the coven's Blood Crest - an ancient medallion forged with the first Lord's own blood, passed down through generations.

Vivienne touched his arm playfully. "He's so young... are you sure he can handle such responsibility when he grows up?"

Damien just smiled, ruffling Lucien's hair. "My son will be the most powerful Lord this coven has ever seen."

The bitterness in my chest finally overflowed.

I pulled out all the letters Damien had written me over five years, watching them burn to ash in my hands.

Suddenly, Vivienne appeared behind me, moving with the terrifying speed of a full-blooded vampire. Her fangs dropped and her nails elongated into razor-sharp claws in an instant.

Her claws pressed into my burn scars as she pinned me down.

"Does it hurt, being a Thrall?" she taunted. "You're just like these ashes now - worthless garbage he can't even look at without disgust."

Her claws dug deeper, reopening my barely healed wounds.

"How does it feel, watching him give my child the Blood Crest? Watching him build the future you thought would be yours?"

Before I could respond, she suddenly leaped back.

With a dramatic cry, she stumbled and fell over the railing.

I hadn't even moved, but her scream echoed across the water: "She pushed me!"

Damien reacted instantly, diving into the dark waves after her.

Moments later, he emerged with Vivienne clutched safely to his chest.

His eyes found mine, crimson burning with fury as he carried her back onto the deck.

"What the hell were you thinking, Serena? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"Vivienne came to kindly invite you to join us, and you attack her? Is this how a Thrall repays our generosity?"