Page 88 of Vampire's Hearth

“With grace and love,” replied her voice. “Follow your heart.”

I hung my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. It felt like the only advice I had gotten as of late, and it only led to pain and sorrow. I moved candles to sit below the crypts of my aunt, mother, and grandmother. Knowing they were together in the land of my ancestors gave me a glimmer of peace. I thanked the remaining candles for their light before snuffing them out and walking into the night.

I breathed deeply. The air was cooler here than in the mausoleum. I lingered, my eyes fixed on the heavy bronze doors. The world spun around me. Mac and Amara were gone. Would I ever find him—or would I have to face this life and responsibility without him by my side? I was supposed to be strong and lead with confidence, but all I could feel was the overwhelming uncertainty of it all.

“Where are you, Mac?” I whispered, my voice lost in the wind. There was no answer, only the quiet rustle of leaves in the trees and the weight of the mantle I now wore pressing heavier on my shoulders.

When I reached the clearing, it was empty. The guests had all gone to the barn, where a celebration of Amara’s life was underway. Soft strains of music floated through the air along with the rich, smoky aroma of the meats that made my stomach growl. I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten as my mouth watered, but my throat constricted as though my body would deny me any food at all, my grief overwhelming.

I followed the path ending at the old wooden building and joined the maidens in the bridal suite to change out of my robes. A heavy silence filled the room as we moved about, none of us wanting to acknowledge the gaping hole Amara’s death had left behind. I sat on the blue chaise lounge, my head in my hands, trying to make sense of the emotions swirling inside me.

After changing, Ruby approached me. “High Priestess, are you okay?” she asked, her voice gentle.

I looked up at her and shook my head. “You don’t have to call me that all the time,” I replied, trying to muster a smile.

She returned my smile, albeit faintly. “But it’s who you are now.”

I nodded even though I still wasn’t used to it. “I know, but it’s not who I was supposed to be. Not yet.”

Ruby bowed her head and left the room, leaving me alone with Jade and Lyra. I glanced at Lyra, and my breath caught in mythroat, the sobs I had been holding back all day aching to be released.

Lyra’s eyes met mine, and they were full of fury. “This is your fault, you know that,” she hissed.

I shook my head, trying to calm the growing tension, wiping at my eyes. “Lyra, please, not now.”

“Not now? When, then? Or not ever?” she spat, throwing her bag onto the chaise. “If you hadn’t brought that vampire into our lives, my mother would still be here! You’re the one who did this.”

Jade stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation. “Lyra, stop. It’s not Rory’s fault. We could have been attacked at any time.”

“Of course, you’d defend her,” Lyra snapped, turning on Jade. “You never cared about my mother. All you’ve ever cared about is sucking up to Rory.”

“Lyra, that’s enough!” My voice was tight, and all I wanted to do was grieve my aunt in peace.

Lyra turned back to me, her eyes flashing with anger. “You’re going to keep that second pendant, aren’t you? Because you’ve never trusted me, you’ve never wanted me at your side.”

I stared at her, stunned by her words. “What are you talking about?”

“The High Priestess Heir,” she said coldly. “You’re not going to make me your heir, are you?”

“Why would I?” I asked, exasperated. “My heir should be my daughter. I haven’t even thought about naming someone else.”

“Of course you haven’t,” Lyra sneered. “You’ll probably abandon the coven and our charge before my mother’s soul ever figures out where it is! Do you think your vampire lover is going to just turn back up and provide you with an heir? Like it is so simple.”

I shook my head as my chest tightened. “We don’t even know where he is. But if I ever find him—”

Lyra laughed, a bitter sound. “You would really consider making a witch with vampire blood the leader of this coven?”

“I’m not having this conversation right now,” I said, dropping my head into my hands.

“And what about my home?” Lyra’s voice was sharp. “Are you going to take that from me too, just like you took my mother?”

“I didn’t take your mother from you!” I snapped, the pain of her accusations cutting deep. “I didn’t attack her, and I’m sorry this happened, but there was nothing I could have done. If you hadn’t stolen the grimoire to begin with maybe the vampires wouldn’t have attacked. It had been years since they have dared attack us here.”

“Next time, don’t lead them straight to us,” Lyra growled, grabbing her bag and storming out.

I turned to Jade, exhausted. “Do I really have to let her stay in the house?” I asked, my voice laced with a defeated chuckle.

Jade sat down beside me and took my hand. “Do you really think she’ll want to stay there?”

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