Robert Montgomery POV:
“My mother?” Charlotte echoes. “What does my mother have to do with Angie?”
“Your mother was a powerful healer. That’s why your father married her. He wanted powerful heirs—so long as they weren’t healers, too. Angie and she were friends. When you were born, your mother asked Angie to look into your future. Whatever Angie saw, she never told me, but I can guess she realized you would be kicked out of the clan. Your mother made her promise to protect you. And she did. "She went looking for you that night.” Ricky’s voice cracked. “She loved you, Charlotte.” She absolutely adored you. So, when she—when she fought off her father, she happily died for her. "I know my friend; there was no regret within
Charlotte Sanguinite POV:My phone is vibrating, but I don’t dare look down, knowing he’ll break it if he sees it. Moving my finger, I accept the call without looking at the screen.“So this is about some wackadoodle prophecy?” I hiss. “You messed up my life because of some stupid writing on a piece of paper?! You didn’t even know that the prophecy was about me or that I was Jean’s reincarnation—”“I knew!” Terrence spouted out the words. I had Jean’s portrait. I knew what she looked like as a child, as a woman. The prophecy was that you would reunite with the animal Jean kept by her side. Did you think I was going to let that happen? I had to be the one to stand by your side. I had always been intelligent; I was ahead of every child my age. I had to be the one to rule this continent, the clans. It was my destiny! So, I knew I had to isolate you f
Charlotte Sanguinite POV:I haven’t stepped foot in the compound since the day I left.“Why did you bring me here, Terrence?” I ask, feeling uncertain. I had already sent a quick message to Robert while Terrance was distracted. I haven’t received a frantic phone call or message in response, so I assume he’s fine with it.“I want to show you the prophecy.” Terrence smiles at me. I found it, and I think you’ll be really interested in seeing it. You were so curious about Jean Sanguinite, so I went looking for it, specifically.”I haven’t told Terrence yet about what my father did and why, back when Terrence was in Europe and I still lived here in the compound. I don’t really know if I should. Perhaps it would be
Robert Montgomery POV:“My mother?” Charlotte echoes. “What does my mother have to do with Angie?”“Your mother was a powerful healer. That’s why your father married her. He wanted powerful heirs—so long as they weren’t healers, too. Angie and she were friends. When you were born, your mother asked Angie to look into your future. Whatever Angie saw, she never told me, but I can guess she realized you would be kicked out of the clan. Your mother made her promise to protect you. And she did. "She went looking for you that night.” Ricky’s voice cracked. “She loved you, Charlotte.” She absolutely adored you. So, when she—when she fought off her father, she happily died for her. "I know my friend; there was no regret within
Robert Montgomery POV:I was very young when I lost my mother. So, I never really grieved the woman I didn’t know. I know grief, but to lose someone so close isn’t something I’ve ever experienced.Quietly, I close the door of the dimly lit bedroom, then head downstairs.It’s been two weeks since everything went down at the shelter. Charlotte hasn’t spoken a word since. She hasn’t gone to work, not that I’m worried about her being fired. Jazz has given her an indefinite leave of absence. I don’t care if Charlotte quits her job, but I know she likes that place.She’s not eating as well as she should. She barely touches her food, just wanting to sleep.I can feel this hollow grief inside me, Charlotte’s grie
Charlotte Sanguinite POV:Aim to kill.Robert’s words are at the forefront of my mind. This man had to die. He’s a threat to me and to the people I love.“None of your fucking business,” I hiss.My father’s lips poured in disapproval. This doesn’t change anything. You are not going to be welcome in our clan. I have put in a lot of effort for Terrence and Arabella to get engaged. For the future of the clan, you cannot be allowed to live.”“Be welcome? "I wouldn’t go back to that pathetic hellhole if you begged me!” My words are a vicious snarl, my body thrumming with this burning energy.“If it were only the abilities that you lacked, it would have been different. But you were unwanted from birth,” my father snorts. I would have killed you, but your mother begged for your life. Unremarkable. You were born unremarkable.
Charlotte Sanguinite POV:The last time I saw my father in person was the night he dragged me out of the compound while I begged and screamed. I still remember the disgust and satisfaction in his eyes as he closed the doors of the compound in my face.Vampires age slowly after they hit a certain age.There was not one additional wrinkle on his face, and for a moment, it sent me spiraling back to that night when my heart pounded in sick fear as I looked imploringly at him, and he sent me to my death.“Charlotte?” Jazz’s confused voice has me snapping out of my daze.Without a moment’s hesitation, I grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward me. “Go inside.”“Inside where?” She looks puzzled and then glances be