2. Missing heir

2

MISSING HEIR

I stare at the man who claims to be my father.

I want to deny it, but I look like the guy. The more I stare at him, the more I see the similarities. And more than that, I can feel a connection between the two of us. This must be a vampire thing because I've never felt anything like this before.

But then I remember that I'm twenty three and this is the first time I've ever met the guy.

"I don't have a father." I try to say the words boldly, but my voice quivers, ruining the illusion of confidence.

Why do I have to be more like a vampire than a succubus?

"You are… more beautiful in person."

In person?

He must see the question on my face because he says, "Your mother sends me pictures."

My mother sends him pictures? The same mother who claims she doesn't have a way to get in contact with my father? She told me she forgot his last name so there was no possible way I could meet him when I was a kid.

"Can I come in?" He stuffs his hands into the front pockets of his pants.

I sigh, pushing my door open wider in an invitation. I don't wait to see if he comes inside, I just turn and head toward the living room. I sit back down on my couch, grab my book from the floor, and put it on the coffee table. He sits down in the chair opposite me.

"You have a nice place," he comments, looking around the small space.

I tuck my hair behind my ear, feeling self conscious about my apartment. "I thought about getting a house, but it seemed like a waste of money to have a big space just to live alone."

He nods like it's sensible. "Your mother tells me that you work for your grandfather."

I nod. "I do."

"Do you like it?"

I shrug, not answering either way. I just met the guy and telling him about my job feels a little too personal.

"Your mother said you stay up at night," the guy… my dad… no, Michael , says. Even if my head, I can't refer to him as ‘Dad.' It doesn't feel right.

"I haven't been around a lot of vampires, but I get the feeling that I'm more like a vampire than I am a succubus." I chew on my bottom lip, wondering if I should've admitted that to him.

He grins. "Do you drink blood?"

I shake my head. "I can't stomach it."

He leans back in his chair. "Interesting."

"What else did my mother tell you about me?" I ask, curious just what she's been saying behind my back.

"Your mother doesn't know I'm here," Michael informs me. "She'd probably be pretty perturbed if she knew. I think it's why she waited until you were eighteen to tell me you exist—she's worried you'd want to live with the vampires."

She didn't tell him about me until I was eighteen?

I can't think about that right now, even if she was probably right. I imagine I would've gone to live with my dad, especially when I hit my teenage years. Things got rough, going to a school full of succubi and incubi. I was the only hybrid in the entire school. To say that I didn't fit in was an understatement.

I cross my legs, waiting for him to say something else because I'm not sure what to say. I spent my entire childhood hoping he would show up. Now that I'm an adult and have accepted that I would probably never meet my biological father, he's sitting on my couch. My mind is racing with the prospect. What am I even supposed to do or say right now?

"I was going to respect her wishes to not contact you, but I didn't have a choice." Michael leans forward. "My heir, your older brother, is missing."

My brother? I have a brother?

I swallow hard. "I have a sibling?"

He nods. "Two of them. An older brother, Lucien. He's the one who is missing. He's six months older than you. And you have a younger brother, Julien. He's twenty one."

Six… months … older? I have so many questions. But right now isn't the time to ask.

"So… Lucien is missing?" I ask.

"Yes. For three weeks now. We've tried to find him, but I fear somebody has taken him. I'm not sure if he's alive or not."

My chest aches. I don't want my older brother to be dead. Even though I've never met him, I would like the chance to get to know him.

"Since he is missing, that makes you my heir."

I furrow my brows. "Your… heir?"

"Because I am the ruler of my clan."

My eyes widen.

Right. Vampires have a monarchy system that is a lot different than the succubi and incubi throne. Where my grandfather rules over all of the succubi and incubi, vampires have a king or queen for each clan. And if my father is the ruler, that means…

"You're a king?" I ask.

He nods. "And you're a princess."

I shrug. "I am a princess. Of the succubi and incubi."

"With, what, ten cousins in front of you for succession? Not to mention your grandfather is still relatively young for an incubus."

It's true. But it's not like I ever wanted to rule. I'd much prefer not to rule. I would gladly give up my role as a princess. From the way this Michael guy talks, I'm not sure that is going to be a possibility.

"To the vampires—to my clan—you are not the joke they consider you to be among the succubi." Michael leans forward in his seat, not breaking eye contact. "You could finally be taken seriously, Madeline."

I don't like the way he's looking at me and I don't like what he's saying.

How does he know so much about me? How does he know how I'm treated? Nobody outside of our community should know—I'm the dirty secret in my family.

"You look surprised," Michael says. "But you shouldn't be. I've kept tabs on you from the moment your mother told me about you. I wanted to make sure that you were well taken care of."

"I am well taken care of." I cross my arms over my chest. "I take care of myself. I'm twenty three."

He nods. "Yes, you do well for yourself. But you're also not happy here, I know that. You stay out of duty to your family and for your mother."

I hate how well this man—this stranger— knows me. It aches deep in my chest, making me long for…

Well, a relationship with my father.

I thought I was over this. I wanted to meet this man so bad my entire childhood. It was a dream that I had long given up. At least, I thought I had given it up. But now, looking into his blue eyes, I wonder just how dead the dream is.

"Come live with me, Madeline. Meet your family and take your place as the heir to my throne."

The words suck the oxygen from my lungs.

The heir to his throne. That's not what I want.

I rub a hand at the base of my throat. "What about Lucien? If he comes back, he'll be the heir again."

"You'll still be my daughter. And my spare," he says. "You're important to me and to my clan—just as important as Lucien and Julien."

Julien.

My younger brother.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am curious about him.

I have siblings. Brothers. For as long as I can remember, it's always been Mom and me. I wanted siblings so badly. I used to beg my mom to get married so I could have a little brother or sister. Turns out, I've always had siblings.

But…

My life. My job. My family. How can I just leave all of this behind and go with Michael Scott? He may be my father, but I've only just met the guy.

I slowly shake my head. "I can't just leave. My mom—" my voice breaks off.

It would break her heart if I left. No matter how tempting his offer is, I can't accept it.

Besides, who is to say that life with vampires would be any better than it is with the succubi and incubi? I'm still a hybrid. And I know how supernaturals feel about hybrids. Even if they're far more common now than they were fifty years ago, they're still thought of in the same negative ways.

"Sasha has had you for twenty three years. It's my turn." Michael clenches his jaw like he's upset by something.

It's weird to hear my mom's name come from his lips.

I wet my lips. "So… are you married to Lucien's mother?"

Maybe it's rude to ask, but this guy is my father and I'm curious.

He sighs, nodding. "I understand why you're asking that question, and the answer is yes. I am married to her."

I want to ask more questions, but my throat closes up.

"I had an affair with your mother," Michael says, answering my unasked question. "And yes, my wife knows about the affair. She's long since forgiven me."

"Did my mom know you were married?"

He raises an eyebrow at me. "Maybe you should talk about this with your mother."

I already know the answer is yes from the way he rebuffed my question. He's not afraid to admit to his wrongdoings, but he's not going to criminalize my mother. It's a point in his favor. But still…

"I am glad you came." At least, sort of. "But I don't think I can go with you. I don't even know you. How do I know you're telling the truth about being my father?"

"Because you're smart. The two of us look alike." Michael stares me down, daring me to argue.

He's right, but I'm not going to admit it out loud.

He scoots to the edge of the chair. "Do me a favor and think about it for the night. I will come back tomorrow night to get your final answer." He stands from the chair and shoots me a look. "Talk to your mom, she will confirm my identity."

I stand up from the couch to walk him to the door. "Let's say that I don't want to come with you to be your heir, can I still come visit? I'd like to meet Julien."

Michael nods. "Of course. You'll always be welcome. I would've come sooner, but I stayed away out of respect for your mother. But I refuse to stay away from you any longer, as long as you'll have me."

I don't know what to make of his words as we walk to the front door. My heart feels so light.

He pauses at the door, turning to face me. He puts his hands on my forearms, looking intently at me. "I will see you tomorrow, Madeline." He studies me for a few more moments before he backs away and leaves my apartment. I lock the door after him and stand there wondering what I'm supposed to do now.

That was… unexpected. I have no idea what to make of Michael Scott.

I have a father. And he didn't abandon me like I always thought he did. That is if I believe him.

Did my mom really wait until I was eighteen to tell him about me? Or did he say that to make me like him? I could imagine that my mom was worried about me leaving to live with the vampires, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

I make my way back to the couch and pick up my book. I try to read some more, but it can't capture my attention. Instead, I keep thinking about Michael Scott and his offer. I could finally do something with my life other than fetch coffee and take notes. My life could finally mean something.

Like every night, I don't fall asleep until the sun begins to rise. When my alarm goes off for work a few hours later, I text Deborah to let her know I won't be at work today. There are no meetings so it's not like I'm truly needed. I go back to sleep. I'm going to need energy if I'm going to confront my mother about Michael Scott.