Four's A Crowd Sofia The First Novels & Stories

And for the first time in my life, I realized that I was… Whole. “Our mates are here,” a feminine voice, both young and ageless all at once, whispered in my mind. It reverberated through my skull like a bell, and yet it soothed me unlike anything before. “There are four total, but three are here tonight…” Before I could react, three familiar voices rang out all at once. “Mate!”

Sofia silently looked him over from top to bottom with a disdainful expression. He was quite handsome, exuding youthful exuberance. Unfortunately, it's a plonker! She ignored him and walked passed Xavier. Xavier’s charming smile was suddenly awkward. It was the first time he had been ignored by a girl like that! Xavier felt that his own charm had been challenged, so he continued to follow her undeterred. "My name is Xavier Munoz, what's yours?" "Get out of my way!" Sofia slanted a glance at him, somewhat enraged.

" Look Sadie, I know I gave you a bad impression on our first meeting. I behaved like a bitçh and I am sorry I let my jealousy over crowd my sense of reasoning. I shouldn't have started a fight with you, I am sorry " Sofia said feigning sympathy, she learnt Sadie is stupid and vulnerable. She easily trusts and believe people. Sofia has to carry out her plan anyways. Sadie stared at her with surprise, she could see the fake smile and all. " I don't have anything against you Sofia, it's fine " Sadie replied smilling back at her. " Are you sure you are not mad at me anymore?" Sofia asked. " I am not " " Good then, did you have sometimes to spare?" Sofia asked again.

“You’re too messy.” He scoffed but pulled back, rolling his eyes. “You’re no fun, Fratello.” (Brother) I ignored him, crouching down so I was eye level with Sokolov. “See, you’re mistaken. Sofia’s not weak. If she was, you’d already be dead. She wanted you alive because she wanted you to suffer.” I reached out, tapping the knife against his cheek. “But I’m getting impatient. So let’s make this simple. Names. Last remaining rats who still think they can come for us. You tell us, and maybe I’ll convince them to kill you quickly.”

Sofia A soft touch, light as a butterfly’s wing, brushed my hand. My eyes fluttered open and found Clara’s face hovering above mine. Her expression was muted, a soft apology etched into her brow. She didn’t say a word, just squeezed my fingers. I wanted to yank my hand away, to turn my back, to pretend the last twenty-four hours were nothing but a fever dream, but her grip was surprisingly firm, grounding me. “I’m so sorry, Sofia,” she whispered, “For everything. For taking you there, for… for introducing you to all of it. I didn’t know. I never meant for…” Her voice trailed off, thick with genuine remorse.

By midmorning, Axel had secured the outer perimeter and given the all-clear for trusted members of the club to enter the upper grounds. The first to arrive was Sofia. She stepped into the suite carrying a small wrapped box in her hands, her usually composed face softer than I had ever seen it. “For the first day she belongs only to herself,” she said. Inside the box was a delicate silver charm bracelet, tiny enough for a baby’s future wrist, engraved with a single word. Free. The sight of it made my throat tighten. Sofia leaned over the cradle station where Aurelia now rested after feeding and touched the blanket lightly.

As the crowd jeered and protested, Evee’s gaze fell on Sofie, standing in the front row, her innocent eyes wide with uncertainty. “Is it true?” Sofie asked, her small voice trembling, doubt and belief warring within her expression. “Yes,” Evee admitted quietly. “Do you want to go on a road trip? I’ll explain along the way.” When Sofie nodded hesitantly, Evee took her hand and began walking through the crowd. The protesters parted like water before them, their shouts fading into silence. The soldiers at the gates opened them without question, and Evee left Corpsehaven hand in hand with Sofie, offering no explanation to those she left behind.

Sofia knew she needed to run away, so she turned her back and was about to walk off when he suddenly called her. “Sofia!” She could hear the sounds of his footsteps approaching and then she felt a hand grabbing her wrist, stopping her track. She turned around and looked at Jacques who looked like he just ran a marathon. He was running out of breath and looked at her with a serious gaze. “You’re Sofia, right? Sofia De Laurent.” He asked; Sofia was not sure how she was supposed to answer that. When she was Gilda, she could easily deny it but this time, denying it would be difficult.

She leaned in and whispered something in Sofia's ear. Sofia's gaze sharpened, and her smile froze. "Are you sure?" Anna nodded firmly. In the next second, Sofia's expression changed dramatically. She let out a sharp, panicked scream. "Has anyone seen my crown? My diamond crown is missing!" "What crown?" Vincent frowned immediately. "It was a coming-of-age gift from my father," Sofia said, her voice trembling as she forced out a sob. "It has five ten-carat diamonds on it. It's priceless."

Sofia felt the blood freeze in her veins. "No," she whispered, standing up abruptly. "No, no, no." She began to walk quickly, almost running, toward the crowd. She needed to lose herself, needed to disappear. But when she looked back, she saw that the man had also stood up. And, worse, she saw that there were others. Two. Three. Four men, all in suits, all moving toward her with a sinister calm. Sofia ran. Her feet pounded on the cobblestones as she threw herself through narrow alleys, pushing people, knocking over boxes, hearing the sound of her own ragged breathing. Panic overtook her blind and animalistic. She didn't think, she just ran.