The idea that my father wasn’t some sort of untouchable big shot with the hunters was something new. It never dawned on me that he could actually get in trouble for what he was doing. I also knew that the only real reason these vampires were still alive was because of me.
“Zinnia…” I called out just as she was about to leave. “Could you have some blood brought in for Vivienne please?”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because if you don’t, I just might have to feed her mine. Look at her… She looks awful.”
Zinnia stared at me like she usually did when I mentioned vampires feeding on my blood. “What is with you and treating your blood like it’s orange juice?” She frowned and shook her head in exasperation. “She can’t suck your blood. Her fangs have been pulled out.”
“Well, can’t I just cut myself and make her drink the blood I drain out of myself?”
“You’re insane. It baffles me still how you could be in any way related to Reuben.” She waved her hand midair. “All we have is animal blood.”
“That’s fine. Vivienne is used to animal blood.”
Zinnia rolled her eyes and turned her back on me. I was sure that she wasn’t going to fulfill my request, but when she returned for my breakfast dishes, she had two glasses of blood with her.
It took another couple of hours before Vivienne began stirring. At first, I ignored her, thinking that she was just having a dream. All of a sudden, however, she began to take erratic, heavy breaths. She started whimpering and it didn’t take long before the whimpers turned into screams, tears running down her cheeks.
I rushed to her side and began shaking her awake. “Vivienne! Wake up!”
She jolted up in bed, her eyes wide with terror as she began taking in her surroundings. She set her eyes on me and sighed with relief before she broke out into uncontrollable sobs. “Sofia…you’re here.”
“Yes… I’m here.” I nodded as I pulled her into a tight embrace.
Trembling, she whispered directly into my ear. “You still have my memories, don’t you, Sofia? Please…please…”
She paused and I found myself holding my breath as I awaited her request. “What is it, Vivienne? What do you want from me?”
“Remind me who I am.”
CHAPTER 24: AIDEN
From the Control Center’s surveillance monitor, I watched the two women share an embrace. This isn’t working out the way I wanted it to. Vivienne is supposed to sway Sofia to our side. Instead, it seems Sofia is about to restore her to her old, stubborn self.
Zinnia stepped beside me as we watched the scene in my daughter’s bedroom.
“What was that about?” I reprimanded her.
“What?” she asked, feigning innocence.
“Why that talk to Sofia about what was done to Ingrid? Don’t ever mention Ingrid to her again, Zinnia. I can see that you’re not a big fan of my daughter, but she’s my daughter. It will do you well not to mess with her.”
Zinnia rolled her eyes. “I didn’t sign up to become a hunter just so I could babysit your daughter and bring her meals like a butler.”
“Patience, Zinnia. When this is all over, your next mission will be Derek Novak and The Shade.”
“How? Vivienne isn’t acting the way she’s supposed to. It’s like there’s something about your daughter that makes people act weird when she’s around.”
“No one has ever broken through someone who’s been brainwashed by us…” I said, crossing my arms over my chest as I watched my daughter doing exactly that to Vivienne.
“Well, Sofia seems to be doing a great job at it. Vivienne was acting erratically the moment she was presented to Sofia.”
“I think I’m going about this the wrong way.” I stared at my daughter’s appearance. I hated to admit it, but there was no sign that she was ever brainwashed by the Novaks. I was just telling myself that, because I couldn’t bring myself to accept the fact that her loyalty and affections toward Derek and The Shade were genuine.
Perhaps she really does love him. Derek and Sofia are genuinely in love with each other.
I attempted to focus on the image on the screen, trying to make sense of the words Sofia was uttering to Vivienne to remind her of the past, a past I was surprised Sofia was so well acquainted with.
There was talk of a shipwreck and first blood, of massacres and cullings and centuries of trying to preserve their own kind against us. Coming from my daughter’s own lips, and the way she was telling story after story to Vivienne, it was almost like we were the villains and the vampires were the victims.
Of course, the whole time she was talking, Vivienne was a blank slate, not really comprehending what Sofia was saying until my daughter mentioned a greenhouse.
At this, Vivienne’s eyes lit up with recognition and delight. “Is it still beautiful?” she asked in a hushed whisper, as if she was afraid that saying it too loud would somehow destroy the beauty of it.
Sofia’s face broke into a smile as she nodded and brushed Vivienne’s hair away from her face. “Yes, Viv. It’s still gorgeous. Derek took care of it after you disappeared. He made sure it would be as beautiful as it would be if you were there.”
Vivienne’s next words sealed reality for me. I’d just lost Vivienne to Sofia.
“I miss Derek so much,” Vivienne confessed, a tear running down her cheek.