Children of the Fallen: In Cold Blood (BOOK #2)

Chapter 43: I Remember

Morgan Sinclair

I walked around for a little while more- giving myself about an hour to get back to Victoria's palace before sunrise but I ended up with the need to blow off some steam. I found two humans wandering alone hoping they would be a remedy to sooth the phantom burning in my neck thats been relentless the whole night.

While I worked on the second one my phone vibrated. I ignore it until I finish, thinking it's Victoria or Grayson asking me to reconsider joining their bullshit. When I do look I find it's my father texting to come back to Victorias palace immediately, which thankfully is finally empty aside for those who live there permanently and my father and I. Even Grayson followed suit with everyone else who chose to stay an extra day and got a hotel room in the city.

Walking across the throne room to head to the large study on the second floor where my father told me to meet him, I wiped the blood off my chin and face as best I could. As long as I don't look like a complete mess he probably won't comment on it and if he got word of Victoria, Grayson, and Chloe's plan- whatever it may be- I doubt some splatters of blood on my clothes will be high on his list of issues.

Entering the study I hit send on a text to Scarlett who informed me she was heading to the airport now. We had planned to meet at the airport but I told her to go to my palace and I'd meet her there since my father requested my presence. "Good, you're here." He says.

"What's wrong?" I say putting my phone away. As I do so, I lift my head.

That's when I see it. Them.

My human family, all standing with an unnatural stillness in the back center of the room. Clearly mentally manipulated to stand there but not to calm down since their eyes are screaming for them. The fear in their eyes, the absolute confusion at me standing in front of them looking the same as I did 19 years ago. The faint look of relief that I'm simply standing in front of them- not dead. Up close I see them clearly, it's odd to see how time has affected them while I remained the same.

I peel my eyes away from them and look to my father on the far right of the room leaning against the desk. "What is this?" I ask calmly.

"Your babysitters." He motions his hand to them with a humorless laugh. "You don't remember them?"

"Why are they here?"

"Oh I think you know." He says too relaxed making me stiffen. "Did you have a good time with them on your birthday?" With that question my heart sinks straight to the floor.

I try to find the words. "Father, I-,"

"Don't." He interjects, standing up straight and taking a few steps towards them, now nearly shoulder to shoulder with Laura. "I'm upset Morgan. I thought we were passed this. Passed them." His mouth contorts into a look of disgust as he looks in their direction.

"We are. I am." I affirm. "It was a stupid thing, I was just drunk. It will not happen again." My feet have turned to lead making me unable to move.

"On your birthday?" He questions, again his voice much too relaxed and light setting off every alarm in my head. "I threw you a party, gave you gifts, and you go off with them? I had to find out from that bastard you once dated."

Grayson wouldn't, I also never really... Anger grips heart the second I realize. 'You deserve everything that's coming to you.' Kellan's voice echos in my mind.

I shake it off, "It meant nothing-" I get interrupted once more, this time by my fathers hand around my throat cutting off my air supply.

"Do not lie to me." I watch his eyes shift red. I nod slowly hoping that makes me appear to be more calm than I am.