-Grandmother-
My husband had put up wards all around that even I couldn't break. It was ancient, powerful magic I had no idea he was capable of. Viktor took one step near it and was shoved back at least twenty feet. I helped him up, but went at trying everything I knew to break it down. Nothing worked. My rage grew more and more with every attempt.
"Grandmother, let's try something else. We aren't getting in there. Why would we even need to?" Viktor grumbled, still wincing from his fall. He had major bruising on his back and legs.
"Cyprio has artifacts we'd need to travel to a quarantined realm," I snapped. I regretted how harsh I sounded, but I was desperate and running out of options. My own husband has abandoned my side.
"We could talk to Father. He might know something," he suggested, ignoring my tone. Viktor was always strong towards, or oblivious to, emotions.
Yes, my son. I could find who he talked to before this all happened. I wrapped my arm around Viktor securely and took to the sky. I knew where William would be.
Upon arriving at the location, I didn't notice him until he stepped out of his ward. I landed in front of him and released my grandson. "William," I said briskly.
He straightened his black suit which almost blended into the ashes of my old house. "Mother. Did you find a way?" He asked this in such a detached voice, suggesting he knew the answer, or frankly didn't care. The only thing he wanted was Viktor to follow him blindly, to be the heir he wanted for his name.
I only set my eyes on him. I would find a way. This name was mine to pass on and he was not my heir, as much as he would like to think that. He tried not to shrink back at my glare, but he was notably distressed. Viktor only stood behind me, no doubt with the same hostility. I stepped forward and caught him by the wrist. He jumped at my sudden movement and tried to pull away, but my grip was too strong.
"Mother, what are you doing?"
I lifted my other hand and, with one fluid motion, cut his palm open with my fingernail. The cut was deep, blood flowing out for a short amount of time. His wound quickly healed itself. I licked blood from my fingernail. By doing this, I gain all of his previous memories. I disliked doing this; it gave me terrible headaches for days afterwards. I released William, who only stepped away from me, still shocked. Viktor stepped away from me as well, but I had no time to dwell on that.
Fleeting images played across my vision, some hard to discern. William was worried about me and Viktor. I felt bitterness at his lack of concern for his other son. One image took me away from my thoughts though. A memory of a man I hoped to never see again. His face may have been concealed by a hood, but even that was recognizable. He had even worn it back then...
The images receded, leaving me blurry-eyed and weak. I fell to my knees, cradling my head between my hands. If this man was involved, there were bigger things than just Vincent and Julie.
