Blood Illusion, the Heir That Never Was

Lucius's pupils contracted. The hand holding the goblet trembled almost imperceptibly.

He masked it quickly, fear replaced by the typical, offended pride of a Lord.

"Rhiannon, what is that look?" he snarled, using his aura to suppress his own guilt. "I am your mate! Your Lord! Would I harm you? Would I harm my own heir?"

I could smell the reek of desperation on him.

Mate?

I laughed silently.

In my last life, this "fated mate" was the one who plunged the blessed silver dagger into my heart.

The one who hurt me most was never my enemy.

It was you, Lucius.

But I didn't call his bluff.

I knew this poison wouldn't cause permanent harm to a healthy vampire.

It would only induce severe, muscle-tearing cramps.

The perfect prop for my performance.

"Of course not," I said softly. "I'm just nervous."

I tilted my head back and drank it all.

Lucius let out a breath of relief, a savage victory in his eyes.

The poison worked faster than I expected.

Five minutes later, a violent, burning cramp seized my abdomen.

The pain was real. A cold sweat broke out across my skin, soaking my silk nightgown.

I collapsed onto the sofa, letting out a pained groan. "Ah… it hurts…"

Just then, the color drained from Lucius's face.

He clutched his temples—a sign of the old emotional link.

"Damn it! Lilith's in labor too!"

He roared in panic, completely forgetting about me writhing in "agony," and dematerialized into a black mist, rushing out of the castle.

The rain was coming down in sheets.

Lucius’s car tore out of the castle like a beast. In the back seat, drenched, was Lilith.

We'd picked her up.

Her screams nearly shattered the car windows.

"Lucius! Save me! Something is clawing at me from the inside!" She dug her nails deep into his arm. "It hurts! Our baby… we're going to die!"

"Don't be afraid, Lilith, don't be afraid!" Lucius yelled, one hand on the wheel, turning to soothe her, his eyes filled with heartbreak. "I'm here! I swear I would trade my immortal life for yours and the child's!"

And what about me?

I was curled up in the corner of the spacious back seat, pretending to be pale with pain. Lucius didn't even glance at me.

I was just cargo he’d thrown in the back.

The car screeched to a halt in front of the Covenant's private clinic.

Blood-servants were already waiting.

"Quick! Get Lilith first! She's critical!" Lucius roared, shoving away a servant who rushed to help me.

He swept Lilith into his arms and bolted for the emergency entrance.

As she moaned weakly in his embrace, Lilith shot me a triumphant smirk over his shoulder.

I was left alone in the downpour.

The icy rain lashed down, plastering my hair to my face, but I felt nothing.

This cold was a pale imitation of the one that had settled in my soul the day he killed me.

A few minutes later, two servants finally rushed out with a wheelchair. "My Lady, hold on!"

I was wheeled into the Ritual Chamber.

The moment the cold steel door slammed shut, my act was over.

Standing before the ritual table was my physician—Marcus.

He had already sent everyone else away, leaving only his two most trusted servants.

Our eyes met.

Marcus glanced at my swollen belly, his expression a mix of awe and fear.

He gave a silent, firm nod.

Everything was in place.

The minutes ticked by.

The thunder outside masked all the dirty deeds taking place.

Hours later, in the dead of night.

My ward was silent except for the steady beep… beep… of a heart monitor.

I lay in bed, eyes closed, breathing evenly, as if I had passed out from "ritual exhaustion."

But every muscle in my body was coiled, my senses on high alert.

The lock clicked. Someone slipped in.

An instant, nauseating stench hit me.

Wet earth, wild beast, and old blood.

The reek of a werewolf.

The footsteps were light and hesitant, filled with guilt, as they approached my bed.

It was Lucius.

He was carrying a tightly wrapped bundle.

Even through the thick blanket, I could hear a sound that was half-growl, half-whimper.

It was the monster Lilith had birthed.

Lucius held his breath, tiptoeing to my bedside.

His hands were trembling as he prepared to swap this reeking infant for the pureblood heir that never existed.

He leaned in, the monster's face just inches from my neck.

In that exact moment…

My eyes snapped open.

In the dim glow of the nightlight, my gaze, sharp and cold, locked onto his terrified, twisted face.

"My Lord," my voice cut through the darkness. "What are you doing?"