32Ian’s POVThe flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the walls of my study, illuminating the books that were on the shelves. Sophia sat across from me at the heavy oak table, her brow furrowed in concentration as she pored over her history textbook. She was beautiful, her fiery red hair catching the light in a way that seemed almost out of this world.I had told her to come here so we could revise together for the upcoming history exams.“Alright, let’s go over the causes of the French Revolution again,” I said, my voice smooth and calm, even though all I wanted to do right now was to bend her over the table and fuck her hard.Sophia sighed, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Okay, so there were social, economic, and political causes, right? The society was divided into three estates, with the commoners, or the Third Estate, bearing the brunt of taxes and having the least power.”I nodded, watching her intently. “That’s correct. And what about the economic fa
33Sophia’s POVExam days always brought a sense of anxiety mixed with a peculiar thrill. This morning, the air was thick with anticipation, and the corridors of the university was bustling with students clutching notes, their faces masked with various degrees of nervousness and determination. As I walked to the exam hall, I felt the familiar fluttering in my stomach, a blend of excitement and nervousness. Today was my first exam, and it just happened to be history.Entering the vast hall, the atmosphere was charged. The silence was heavy, punctuated only by the rustling of paper and the occasional cough. I found my seat, third row from the front, and settled in, trying to calm my racing heart. The invigilator, a stern-faced professor with a reputation for no-nonsense, handed out the exam papers.I looked around, wondering where Ian was. Seeing him here right now would at least give me a bit of confidence but he wasn’t here. I sighed. Maybe his absence was what I needed right now. So
34Sophia’s POVMy last anthropology exam ended with a flourish of relief and satisfaction. The three hours had felt like an eternity, but as I handed in my paper and walked out of the hall, a wave of accomplishment washed over me. I had done it. The first ever college exams was behind me and it had gone well. I pulled out my phone to call my parents, eager to share the news and make plans to go home for the weekend holidays.“Hey, Mom,” I said when she answered. “The history exam went really well! I’m thinking of coming home.”There was a brief pause on the other end before my mom’s voice came through, but there was an hint of regret I didn’t understand. “Oh, Sophia, I’m so proud of you! But we’re not home right now. We decided to visit Grandma with your siblings for the holidays. The house is empty.”My heart sank. I had been looking forward to some home-cooked meals and the comfort of my own bed. “Oh, I see. Well, maybe when you guys are back then.”“Definitely, sweetie,” she repli
35Sophia’s POVI laid on my bed, staring up at the ceiling and feeling bored. It felt weird, being in the dorm with Jenny alone and not having anything to do. The exams had finished and the dorm was mostly empty, making it quiet unlike other times when it was always noisy, especially on Mondays when all of us were awake like at the same time and struggling to be quick to meet tuo with our classes.It felt weird not having to worry about my usual history tests on Monday morning.What felt even weird was the fact that I wasn’t going to be at home for the holidays this year since my parents and siblings weren’t at home. It was just Jenny and I together this time and as much as I loved the idea, it still delt weird. I turned around on my bed with a sign and picked up my phone. It was done charging so I unplugged it from the charger and then unlocked my phone. I already had a series of messages from Sarah, most of which were photos on how much she was enjoying her time at our grandparents
36Jenny’s POVMy life has never been something I was proud of. From being the weird kid that people barely liked ever since I started school, to my parents always moving around and leaving me alone with a nanny who barely ever cared about me.Then there was going through puberty without my parents…without my mom to walk me through it. Moving through stages of classes without my parents being there to support me with it.And when I had my first kiss…my mother wasn’t there to share the excitement with me. When I had sex for the first time…there was no one to talk to about it. It has always been me and myself alone with no parental figure with me. The only bright light in my life was Sophia.I never expected us to be friends. When I first met her, I instantly took her as a competition but she didn’t even mind. She took me as a friend and she wouldn’t stop following me around until I eventually grew on her and we became best friends.Her family became my own family too. But it was never
37Jacob’s POVThe ancient library’s dim light barely illuminated the scattered scrolls and tomes in front of me. The words blurred together, and the intricate symbols seemed to mock my attempts to understand them. I leaned back in the leather chair, closing my eyes for a moment, trying to block out the overwhelming sense of responsibility that weighed on me.I hated ruling. Every day was like a battle against my own nature. This was never meant for me. It was meant for Ian. Ian, with his calm demeanor, his unerring sense of justice, and his unshakable resolve. I’ve always admired my elder brother, even envied him. Now, I’d give anything to have him back, to see him stride through the grand doors of the palace and reclaim his rightful place on the throne.I can still remember the day everything changed. Ian disappeared without a trace, leaving the vampire realm in chaos. Father, already weakened by centuries of rule, deteriorated rapidly, the burden of the lost heir crushing him. And
38Jacob’s POV.I paced around my room, wondering what the fuck was this report that I had just gotten. I couldn’t believe what one of my men had just told me. That Freya was missing and that she had been missing for a few days now.Not even a few days! She had been missing for a month! How come I was just getting the report? How?!It was too hard to believe. How come I had never gotten the report that she was missing? Why was everything going wrong all of a sudden?“Since when did you find out she has been gone?” I bellowed at Lucian who had his usual poker face on. We were among other council members so he couldn’t show emotions.“I just found out about it today, Your Grace,” he answered and I scoffed, wanting to turn around and beat him up for what he just said.“Freya has been missing from this castle for a month and you’re only just finding about it today?” I yelled.“Your Grace, her maid was told to keep it a secret. Freya left herself—”“And?!” I snapped. “It doesn’t change the
Sophia’s POVI turned around on my bed, getting restless that Ian hadn’t returned any of my many calls and texts since yesterday. I sighed, my eyes wide open and staring at the ceiling in frustration. I didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing right now if I wasn’t talking to him. It had kind of become my daily routine, talking to him. And now that routine was about to be ruined.I sucked in my lower teeth, staring at the ceiling. I was bored and I really wanted to speak to him. Jenny was currently still asleep so I couldn’t disturb her but I was restless and I needed someone to talk to. I signed as I turned around on the bed again, hating how restless I had really become.I ran my hands through my hair in frustration and stared up at the ceiling before I sat up on the bed and decided to try to call him again one more time. I knew he was at home, he did tell me that he was going to e at home this weekend starting today, Friday, but what he didn’t tell me was that be wouldn’t be pic