The Illusion (Book Two in The Illusion of Certainty Series)

Take Me Down

“I’m…confused,” I said to Michael. He shifted his weight, turning so his back was to Max and Luke. My legs were still draped across his lap and he situated them so it was still comfortable.

“Didn’t you ever wonder how I could do all the things I did? Or why I was never supposed love anyone?” I shook my head.

He turned to Luke and they seemed to have a quick non-verbal conversation. Luke finally nodded and turned to Max.

“We should go, give Michael some time to explain,” Luke said.

Max hesitated, looking from Michael to me to Luke then back to me. I nodded and he frowned. He nodded back and they both exited the room.

“The men in my family have a tendency to be as ruthless as its women. When my mother found out that my father didn’t plan on continuing on with that tradition she cursed him and me. My father was a good man despite his faults and marrying my mother. He wanted to be happy. He thought she would make him happy even though she wasn’t exactly the nicest person. She told him he would never be happy, she would see to it. I come from a family of traitors and murderers, Georgiana. My lineage isn’t something to be proud about.”

“So what happened to your mother?” I asked.

“She was killed by an assassin. She refused to adhere to the new laws. She kept killing, saying that they would have to kill her if they wanted her to stop. The Coven, wanting to make peace, decided it would be more beneficial if they killed her. They were afraid the Slayers would see her actions as an act of defiance against the new pact.”

I nodded. There was no remorse in his eyes when he spoke of his mother but there wasn’t hatred either.

“You’re Lucifer’s grandchild?” I asked.

A sad smile crossed his face. “Yes.”

“Wow,” I said. I couldn’t believe it. “Wow.”

“I know this is a lot to take in at once and I know it may not be received well on your end, but I want you to know that my past, my lineage means nothing to me, not anymore. I made a choice a long time ago to be someone else, to be someone good not evil.”

“Who was your father?”

He sighed, I knew that wasn’t what he wanted to hear but I just needed all of the information. “There are many lines in our world. He was one of the ones considered royalty. My family was powerful, one of the Old Blood, he was also. It was an arranged marriage. They never loved one another which is common in the Vampire world. But my father’s family had a reputation to be ruthless and my mother thought he would be just as evil as she was.

“However, when I was born my mother saw a glimmer of something in his eyes she never thought she would see, love. My father loved me, something that isn’t normal. She hated it, she hated me. I wasn’t what she wanted in a son so she ordered me destroyed. My father said no and took me away. His love for me killed him. She killed him, you saw that part.”

The room fell silent. I didn’t really know what to say and Michael had reached the end of his tale. I remembered my mother telling me once that sometimes words aren’t the best comfort. I shifted the way I was sitting and released his hand. He looked hurt but then I hugged him close to myself hoping that my own strength would comfort him. He buried his face in my hair and pulled me tighter against him. He rested his head on my shoulder almost as if telling the story had tired him out.

I didn’t know what it was like to have a horrible family. I had always been surrounded by people who loved and supported me. My mother had always been there for me with a kind word or a band-aid if I scrapped my knee. Michael never had that.