by Rachel Jonas
Inside my head, there were so many questions fighting to be answered.
Who is Aaric really?
Why has he done this?
What trait of his will I inherit?
What does being linked to him mean for my future?
The only thing I knew for certain was that … it was done. I was bound to this man for as long as I lived.
A stranger.
…A monster.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Epilog
Roman
Home—a place where one went to find acceptance, love, refuge.
As I walked through the front door of my father’s palace, despite this being where I’d grown up, I felt none of those things. And yet … here I was.
Laughter and lighthearted conversation floated in from a distance. It was just past six o’clock, so I was certain that sound came from the dining room. A short walk through the foyer, the gallery, and then the parlor proved me right.
Seated around a table for twenty, was my father, his wife, and both my half-sisters. Most who left home longed for these moments—reconnecting with family, a warm meal and fresh blood, but … not me.
Because the people seated here had never been my family.
The only family I ever had was long gone. Even those who stepped in to take my twin’s place—my Dynasty brothers—didn’t seem to be the men I thought they were.
Not since Corina came into the picture.
The mere thought of her made me want to spit fire. I’d never been so disrespected by a human—by anyone—like I’d been disrespected by her that day. And then to see my brothers come to her defense, it let me know where I stood.
I should have been used to being on the outside. Especially with the cold, unwelcoming stares that flashed my way now.
“Well?” my father stated. “Aren’t you going to greet your mother and sisters?”
“She’s not my mother.”
“I’m not his mother,” the Empress and I declared in unison.
The hatred between us was abundantly clear. Always had been.
“Had you walked through the door five minutes ago, there would have been food for you, but your mo— Empress Clara,” my father amended, “just promised the leftovers to the huntsmen for his pack.”
I peered up to see the Empress herself smiling as she glared across the table at me. My guess was she wanted to make sure I understood my father clearly. She wanted to make sure I knew that, in this house, her house … I was valued even less than a dog.
There didn’t seem to be a point in entertaining this conversation, so I continued on past the doorway. I veered toward the kitchen to grab a warm glass of blood before heading out to my estate further up the drive.
“Clara, girls, excuse me a moment,” I heard as I put distance between the dining room and myself. It was the sound of my father politely dismissing himself from the dinner table to chase after me. Most likely, because he intended to rip me a new one for who-knows-what.
“Did you honestly think you could just waltz back in here, after not answering my calls all week?” The words left his mouth in their usual harsh tone. I was only ever spoken to like a stranger who didn’t belong here.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him.
“I had a long flight,” I sighed. “My kitchen is bare because I’ve been gone for weeks. Pardon me for thinking it would be acceptable to grab a bite to eat tonight, until Rupert is able to get to the market in the morning.”
“I’m owed an explanation,” he insisted. “And I want the truth.”
That was a lie. He didn’t want the truth, now or ever. He wanted to believe his little family was perfect, and had only the utmost respect for him. When the truth was Empress Clara had only ever been with him because of his status, and my half-sisters followed in their mother’s footsteps, seeing him as nothing more than a wallet with legs.
And tonight, my truth would be especially disturbing.
I’d been holed up in a motel in the most unsavory section of the Eastern Quadrant. With limited cash on hand, I had to stay where I could afford. The second I would have used my credit card, my father’s team would have been all over it, hunting me down like an animal. And not because they or my father cared about my wellbeing, but rather because they cared about our family’s reputation.
He sniffed the air. “You smell like cheap booze. Have you showered?”
I couldn’t help but to laugh at his reaction—the look of disappointment he wore. “You mean this week?”
His nostrils flared when he realized I wasn’t taking this nearly as seriously as he was.
“What is this? First you managed to link yourself to Julian’s disaster of a life, and that … girl. And now this,” he seethed. “Are you trying to prove the people right about you? They already think you’re unfit to rule. Keep this up, and not even my team will be able to fix your mess.”
At the mention of Julian’s name, I was reminded of the many unreturned calls I’d received from him and Silas. However, the ones from Levi had stopped days ago. My best guess was that not knowing my whereabouts was no longer of interest to him.
With a disgusted gaze, my father eyed me with scrutiny. “As sad as it is, you’re our Quadrant’s next heir to the throne. The least you could do is see to it that you don’t let them down, like you’ve done me.”
I lowered my gaze, but not because my father’s words hurt. I’d long-since been numb to any and all insults he could hurl my way. My reason for looking down was because I’d just missed another call. It was Silas that time.
“You’re truly a lost cause,” was my father’s declaration upon the realization that his thoughts toward me were no longer effective.
A business card was pressed into the palm of my hand.
“Think of our family, and don’t piss away my legacy. And if your family’s wellbeing is no longer incentive enough, think of yourself and clear your own name.” Those were my father’s last words as he departed.
With that, I was left to stare at the card I’d been handed.
Jon Carlisle—a name I would never forget. He’d nearly put an end to the entire sham the night of the press conference, but the weakness of my brothers overshadowed his efforts, noble as they were.
He’d proven that night that he was a true man of the Dynasty, perhaps even more upstanding than my brothers.
I turned the card in my fingers and found it impossible not to wonder if this tiny piece of paper was the answer. The only thought that prompted me to hesitate was that, if I brought down the house on this entire scheme, my brothers would be caught in the crossfire.
Collateral damage.
However, my next thought was of how no one seemed to care to consider how any of this would affect me—the one party not on board with a plan that would require all four of us to pull it off.
But … am I really willing to take things that far? Willing to leave my brothers out in the cold just to save myself?
It was a big question to ask, one I couldn’t possibly answer casually. It would take time and a lot of thought. After all, I wasn’t just considering letting them go to jail. The magistrates would never let them off so easily.
My brothers, the ones I loved more than my own flesh and blood … would face death.
I dialed, content to just hear the man’s views on this. Perhaps he’d even propose an option that would clear us all. If exposing Corina for the fraud and manipulator she was could save my brothers’ lives, I was more than willing to hand her over to the authorities.
More than willing.
“Hello?”
I focused and reiterated to myself that this call meant nothing. It was just to hear Jon’s options.
“Good evening. This is Ro—”
A quiet laugh came through the phone, cutting me off, and I was confused by the sound of it.
“Roman Fairchild. I know exactly who I’m speaking with.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of that. “Well,
I … my father passed along a card,” I said, flipping the small piece of paper over for a closer look. “I was hoping you might be able to help with a … a, um, situation.”
Jon was silent a moment.
“Of course. That’s what I’m here for,” he eventually crooned. “Actually … I’ve been expecting this call, Your Highness.”
There was such certainty in his voice, I wondered if he’d done some digging, knew I wasn’t of the same mind as the other princes.
“We have so much to discuss.” The announcement sparked confusion, prompting my brow to knit together.
“About?”
When he answered, I could practically hear him smiling as he spoke one word.
A name.
“Blackbird.”
*****
TVM3: COLD HEIR, will be releasing in May of 2019! If you’re seeing this message before that date, and you’d like to be notified the moment book 3 goes live, AND you’d like to download a sneak peek of chapter one TODAY, simply click > HERE!
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SOUNDTRACK
(Listed in no particular order)
Music is a very integral part of my writing process, and I carefully choose songs that fuel each scene. The lyrics may not always be spot on, but sometimes it’s more about the emotion evoked. While writing The Vampire’s Mark, I selected music that brought out the intense emotions Cori felt during various scenes throughout her journey. I hope this list enhances the reading experience for you, like it did for me while writing.
Note: Piracy is unlawful, and using sites where music can be downloaded for free is equivalent to stealing from the musician. Buying the song or album directly from the artist will always be the best way to show support and appreciation for the artist’s work.
Sam Tinnesz—“Play With Fire”
Broken Social Scene—“Sweetest Kill”
Two Feet—“I Feel Like I’m Drowning”
Sam Tinnesz—“Hold on For Your Life”
St. Vincent—Prince Johnny
Gary Glen Jr.—Bright Lights
Lorn—Acid Rain
Glass Animals—Gooey
Glass Animals—Glass Mambo
The Veils—Lavinia
Lana Del Rey—Young and Beautiful
Billie English, Khalid—“Lovely”
Billie English—You Should See Me in a Crown
Noah Cyrus—Again
Sia—“Elastic Heart”
Stateless—“Bloodstream”
SBTRKT, feat. Sampha—“Trials of the Past”
Ta-Ku—“We Were in Love”
Zola Blood—"Good Love”
Glass Animals—“Poplar St.”
Lewis Del Mar—“Tap Water Drinking”
Tender—“Armour”
Sohn—“Hard Liquor”
Tender—“Erode”
Yoke Lore—“Only You”
Glass Animals—“Cocoa Hooves”
Hippie Sabotage—“Rogues”
Glass Animals—“Agnes”
Lewis Del Mar—“H.D.L.
