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

Chapter 45: Aurelia

Morgan Sinclair

I don't know how long I've been sitting here, it feels like years when I receive a text from my father reminding me to pay Aurelia a visit by the weekend. Texting me with such casualty like he didn't just end the lives of my family members, as if I'm not kneeling in Laura, my- my moms blood. As if nothings happened at all.

I stand up and just start moving. Before I know it I'm in a car and Mica's asking me where to go, "Airport, tell them to get my jet ready." I stared out the window of the car not knowing how much time has passed as suddenly I'm now staring out of the plane window looking at the tarmac.

"Your Highness, we're about to take off. Would you like anything before hand?" The stewardess asks, looking at me with a mix of fear and a hint of disgust. The blood splattered over my face and body probably isn't a great look for the setting of a private jet but I don't care right now.

"No." I state and turn back to the window.

Arriving at this palace I've only set foot in a handful of times, I'm greeted by one of Lucien's nobles. A few he'd turned so they could overlook this palace and territory specifically. "Your Highness." He bows his head looking me up and down his eyes hiding whatever he feels about me but he's assessing me- especially with the blood staining my clothes, arms, and face.

I walk right by him. "Where is she?" I ask. "I was sent to speak to her."

"I was under the impression you'd be here later on in the week." He says.

"I'm here now." I say and I can hear the detach in my own voice. "Where is she?"

"Follow me." He leads me through various halls and doors of the palace, all blurring together in my mind as we head down to the dark, dingy cells. Walking further and further, he finally stops in front of the last door at the end of the hall.

I hold out my hand for him to give me the keys. "Leave." He reluctantly hands me the keys.

"Your Highness if I may-,"

"I said. Leave." I catch a flash of fear in his eyes and he finally walks away. I listen to his footsteps until he gets all the way up the stairs. After unlocking it, I take hold of the handle of the cell door; the door that's kept me from Aurelia for 19 years. My biological mother just on the other side. I pull open the door and step through reaching for the light switch on the wall. Flicking it on she's lying down on the dirty, dusty concrete floor with her back towards the door.

Before I got off my plane I had requested a blood bag. The stewardess shot me a confused look knowing I hate them but it wasn't for me and thankfully she didn't ask me questions, I'm in no mood for questions. I toss the blood bag through the cell bars landing right next to her. "I need you conscious. Drink."

She slowly turns over looking lethargic and ghastly. She grabs at the blood bag, instantly bringing it to her mouth and sinking her fangs into it. I watch the color go back to her face as she drains it. She stands up defensively, looking me up and down. "Who are you?" 40 years of life and I finally hear my biological mothers voice. Despite her condition it sounds strong and regal.

"I thought for sure he would've showed you pictures or something."

She pauses with her mouth agape at a loss for words. "Morgan?" She asks and her voice turns frail and uncertain. I nod still standing there with my hands interlocked in front of me. "My daughter." She smiles softly.

"Don't." I say and the smile wipes from her face.

"I apologize. H- how are you?" She asks caught off guard.

"I have to ask you a few questions." I try to connect to my own voice, failing to do so.

"Anything. I'm here." She steps closer to the bars holding onto them. Letting me get a better look at her. I may have gotten my fathers eyes but I have her dark brown hair color, her sharp cheekbones and full lips.