Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) (Completed)

14 ~ A thousand years

"She can't be your mate, King Elijah," said the man seated third from the left. Seven vampire men in total sat at the long, ancient table, each one cloaked in flowing black capes over dark clothing that seemed to swallow the light in the room. "She looks nothing like Charlotte Grave." His voice was strained, as if every word pained him to utter. "But I must say, her blood smells... divine..." Despite the vampire not looking directly at me, an unsettling chill crawled down my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck prickled in response to his unsettling words. I felt an overwhelming urge to flee, my heart racing as my instincts screamed danger.

Elijah faced the challenge head-on. "You didn't accept Charlotte Grave, did you forget?" he retorted sharply, his tone unwavering. "Only after my father forced me to murder her did you finally acknowledge she was my mate. By then, my father saw her merely as a convenient excuse, claiming she was of a vampire hunter bloodline." His anger was tangible, resonating through the tension that saturated the room. I could feel the raw pain and bitterness emanating from him, his anguish almost palpable.

The man next to him, seemingly unaffected by Elijah's outburst, interjected coolly, "Have you found Beverly?" The abrupt change in topic made my stomach churn with anxiety.

I turned my gaze to Elijah. He stood beside me, strikingly handsome in his leather jacket, dark brown shirt, dark blue denim jeans, and black boots. A wave of confusion washed over me as I wondered why he had brought me to this gathering. This situation felt entirely disconnected from me unless he was finally ready to announce in front of everyone that I am Charlotte Grave reborn. Yet, I couldn't shake the thought that Charlotte Grave had nothing to do with my current life. My mind argued back, 'Oh, but you were Charlotte Grave. And he killed you. And you've fallen for him again. Stupid.' A surge of conflicting emotions—fear, love, resentment—swirled within me.

Elijah shook his head firmly. "No, but I have every available agent looking for her. She's using powerful magic to hide herself from us." His voice was steady, but I could sense the frustration simmering beneath the surface. I recalled how Beverly had managed to conjure fire from her hands, scorching a tree without burning it down completely—a display of magic that was both impressive and terrifying. The memory sent a shiver down my spine.

The affected vampire spoke again, his tone shifting slightly. "Is that why Lincoln Flint is here today?" The vampire next to him stared at me with an unsettling hunger in his gaze. I quickly averted my eyes, a wave of discomfort washing over me. The large room was filled with old books, ornate chandeliers, thick black curtains covering the floor-to-ceiling windows, and shiny marble floors that reflected the dim light. The walls were adorned with portraits of these ancient vampires, showcasing their long black hair and dark, deep-set eyes. It felt as if they were all watching me, their painted gazes piercing through the air, judging me. I shuddered involuntarily, a sense of dread settling in my gut.

My gaze landed on a large mirror across the room, and I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I barely had time to apply any makeup when Elijah knocked on my door just after sunrise, insisting I come with him. The sight of my own pale, anxious face mirrored the turmoil I felt inside.

"You have no choice but to go with me," he had said, his voice leaving no room for argument. The air felt thick with his commanding presence, making it hard to breathe.

I rolled my eyes internally, feeling the weight of the early hour pressing down on my shoulders. "This early?" I had thought, incredulous at the suddenness of it all. The dawn light barely seeped through the curtains, casting a pale glow over the room.

"You have five minutes," he replied curtly before marching back to his car. His footsteps echoed through the still morning air, leaving me with little time to prepare.