Dark Legacy (House of Winterborne Book 1)
Page 24
She stopped, her hands suddenly covering her ears, her eyes growing wide before she squeezed them shut. “Stop!” she screamed as the pain worsened. She managed to catch herself against the edge of the table and lashed out at me with one hand, the other still covering her left ear.
I held my hand up and sent her flying back. She hit the wall so hard the pictures fell, shattering the glass in the frames. After climbing to her feet, she quickly slid back down to the floor as I delivered another round of ear-piercing vibrations.
Resisting the urge to smile like a kid on Christmas morning, I marveled at my new powers and wondered what else I was capable of doing if anyone tried to challenge my authority again.
Cabot looked at his dazed wife, and his rage contorted his face as he raised his fist in the air.
“I’d think very carefully about that if I were you,” I said, watching his fist wither. “Striking your queen could get you a death sentence.”
He stared at his limp hand for a few seconds before glaring at me. “How did you do that?”
“She’s our sister’s daughter,” Samuel said. “You remember what Katherine was capable of, don’t you?” The wary look on Cabot’s face suggested his memories of my mother’s power were rushing back to him. “It just took Morgan a little while to discover her inherent talents. I’d remember that if I were you, brother.”
When I looked around the table at all the faces that had been so quick to condemn me, I realized they were all victims of an antiquated guard that needed to be changed, which I was beginning to understand was exactly what my mother had intended for me to do. I was here to carry on her legacy, not Ryker’s. Michael, Samuel, and of course Jakob were the only ones with proud grins on their faces.
“Your queen is back, and I’m going to show you all why my mother chose me as her successor.”
Ramsey started to protest, but I shot him a warning look. “And by the way, I’ll love whomever I want.”
I headed for the elevator without looking back. In the morning, I’d find Hawk and figure out how to manage my new reality as the vampiric queen of the Winterborne clan. But at that moment, all I wanted was a solid meal and a good night’s sleep.
My uncle Samuel arrived at eight o’clock to have breakfast with me. We sat at the kitchen table and caught up on all that had happened since the last time we’d seen each other almost a year earlier.
“I’ve missed you,” I said. “I suppose you already know about everything that’s been going on. Cabot isn’t very keen on relinquishing his temporary power.”
He laughed. “I bet he isn’t. But that’s not your problem, is it?”
Samuel was one of the most genuine people I’d ever known, and I understood why my mother loved him so much.
“Why didn’t you come home when she disappeared?”
He lost his bright smile and took a sip of his coffee. “We have a lot to discuss, Morgan, beginning with your legacy.”
A thick lump formed in my throat. “By my legacy, you mean…”
“Ryker Caspian.”
The name coming from his mouth jarred me. “You knew all along? About her affair?”
He must have read the fear on my face, but instead of putting me at ease, he got to the point of our breakfast date.
“Caspian isn’t just a surname,” he said. “It’s a dynasty. A race of vampires that make the Night Walkers look like weekend warriors.” He pinned me with an intense stare. “Your race, Morgan. But lucky for you, you also have your mother’s immortal genes, and they’re stronger.”
I looked away from him, terrified that he’d see what Ryker had done to me, but he took my chin and pulled my eyes back to his.
“I’ve spoken with Jakob. I know what Ryker did to you.”
“Then you know what I am.”
“Yes. You’re a vampire. But you’re also a Winterborne.”
He stood up and went to the window, looking out over the city as he seemed to gather his thoughts. “You asked me why I didn’t return to New York when Katherine died. Edinburgh is under siege. At war with the Caspians. I was in the middle of the fight and couldn’t leave, and I’ll always regret that. But your mother knew I wouldn’t make it to her memorial service.”
“She spoke to you before she did it?”
“We spoke every day, but I never thought she’d kill herself. She was too invested in the cause. The invasion here in New York that’s already started.” He looked at me over his shoulder. “But I guess your safety was more important than a war. I can’t blame her for that. I probably would have done the same thing for James and Olivia.”
I shook my head. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me.”
“You will.” He turned around to face me. “Now, where’s the box?”
“The box?”
“The one your mother sent you at the auction house. The one containing her journal.”
I felt like my head was spinning as my heart began to beat faster. “It’s in the bedroom. How do you know about it?”
“As I said, I’ve spoken to Jakob. There are two similar boxes out there somewhere. We suspect they’re in private collections here in New York or in Europe, but we’ll find them if and when they come up for auction. And if they don’t, we’ll hunt them down and take them. Those boxes are the key.”
“Key? Key to what?”
“The key to ending this war. To destroying the Caspian dynasty.” He walked back to the table and cupped my cheek, a grin spreading across his face. “Welcome to the other Circle, Morgan.”
Books by Luanne Bennett
THE FITHEACH TRILOGY
The Amulet Thief (Book One)
The Blood Thief (Book Two)
The Destiny Thief (Book Three)
THE KATIE BISHOP SERIES
Crossroads of Bones (Book One)
Blackthorn Grove (Book Two)
Shifter’s Moon (Book Three)
Dark Nightingale (Book Four)
Bayou Kings (Book Five)
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Acknowledgments
This story started out a little shaky, but a few people helped me find the way. To my editor, Anne Victory, and my proofreader and beta reader extraordinaire, Jen Coleman at proofisintheprint.com. I also have to thank all my other beta and ARC readers for taking the time to read for me. It really does take a team.
About the Author
LUANNE BENNETT is an author of fantasy and the supernatural. Born in Chicago, she lives in Georgia these days where she writes full time and doesn’t miss a thing about the cubicles and conference rooms of her old life. When she isn’t writing or dreaming up new stories, she’s usually cooking or tending a herd of felines.
I love to hear from readers. Contact me at:
www.luannebennett.com
books@luannebennett.com