Illusion(47)

Stefan was still holding the book. He reached over and placed one of his large hands on mine, stopping me. Looking up at him, I was confused at his sudden interest in a book on Napoleon that my adoptive father had gifted to me.

“There is a note inside. Did you know that?” Stefan questioned, his voice low.

“What? A note? No, I’ve never even opened it.”

He placed the heavy text in my hands, his finger marking the spot where the yellowed note rested. As the pages fell open, my eyes were drawn to the paper that was folded and lodged in the binding of the book. I recognized the scrawl of my adoptive father’s handwriting immediately.

Running my fingertips over the fragile note with my fingers, I hesitated before opening it, sucking in a ragged breath.

“What are you waiting for, Josephine?”

Laughing nervously, I twisted my mouth to the side. “More bad news?”

Stefan leaned across and cupped my cheek with his hand. “Read it. Unless there is news about your other side of the family being werewolves, I think we are fine.”

Blanching, I forgot about the note. “Werewolves? Are there werewolves?”

Stefan rolled his blue eyes at me. “Are there vampires!? Yes, there is a scarce amount of werewolves in the world.” He waved his hand and pointed at the note. “Read.”

I sat slack jawed for a moment. Werewolves? What other mythical creatures could there be? My mind drifted to thinking about the possibilities of Bigfoot, pixies and unicorns existing. If there are vampires, could they be real too?

He reached over and closed my mouth. “Josephine, focus. Werewolves are mainly in Europe. I assure you we are safe. As for the other creatures, even I do not know. Now stop stalling and read the letter.”

My hands were trembling as I opened the delicate paper. Glancing at the top of the page, I noticed the date. It was dated over 15 years ago, when I would have only been 13. I could almost see him sitting at his desk, writing this letter to me. I suddenly missed him more than I could understand, or even begin to put into words. There was so much I wished I had said to him, that I wished I could say to him now.

Stefan tapped the paper again, drawing my attention back to the letter and I began to read.



Josephine,

If you are reading this letter, it is well after my death and you have either found out about your true parents, or will soon. You cannot begin to understand how difficult it was for us not to tell you the truth about your birth parents, even when you begged us to do so. It will always be my deepest regret.

Your birth mother, Armes, was my younger sister. She disappeared soon after your birth, and your father and his representatives showed up on our doorstep with demands for us to take you in and raise you. We fell in love with you at first sight and agreed to their terms to never disclose who your true parents were. We were silenced by our fear, their threats and money, I am ashamed to admit. You were well provided for, so I can only say that did alleviate some of the guilt which has plagued me for many years.

If your birth father, Kian, has already approached you, tread with extreme caution. I fear my sister met her end at his hands and your father is a dangerous man. If he has not yet found you or approached you, know that he will at some point. Look beyond his words to find the truth.

As I watched you grow, you reminded me of your mother and made her loss from my life a little easier to accept. Having you in my life was one of the greatest joys of my life, Josephine. You share the same gift as your mother, and I know that she would be proud to see what a beautiful, intelligent woman you are sure to become.

With much love,

Dad



Handing the note to Stefan, I rubbed over my face with my hands. How many more skeletons did I have in my closet? Over the span of a week, I found out my father is a powerful vampire, my mother was killed by my him, I have a long-lost brother and it looked like I needed a new hanger for my expanding closet. My adoptive father was really my Uncle.

“Interesting,” he muttered. “Josephine?”

There was that word from him again. Interesting.

“I’m at a loss for words. What are your thoughts, because I know you have more to say than just interesting.”

It was his turn to rub his large hand over his stubbled chin, his blue eyes serious. “Your adoptive father knew Kian was someone to be concerned about 28 years ago. He then took the time and the risk to write you a letter 15 years ago and place it in an obscure book about Napoleon. To me, that is telling.”

I leaned towards him and grabbed his arms to get his full attention. “Go on. You think there’s more, don’t you?”

“Possibly. Napoleon was a very successful leader for many years. He was cunning and intelligent, however his thirst for power led to his political demise and his imprisonment and exile in 1815,” Stefan theorized, his eyes taking on a distant look. “Your adoptive father chose this book for a reason, Josephine. Tell me about him.”