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"Well then, find someone who does, Sofia We need a leader"

The Shade had always been ruled by a Novak While Vivienne definitely had a voice at the kingdoet everyone to listen to her I knew that ere up against far h I had no idea why, the first and only person I kneas capable of beco leader in a situation like ours was my father I ell aware of the responsibility on my shoulders – that I had to step up and take the lead if I was going to be the wife of Derek and the queen of The Shade, but I certainly wasn’t going to do it alone I needed Aiden "I think I knoho to ask," I assured Ian beforemy way to The Cells

I found it ironic what I was about to do I couldn’t help but wonder what Derek would think about the whole thing I was about to ask Aiden Clare hundreds of vampires, to helpmy mind and I knew it I had no control over h I was conscious that I did not want to do what I was doing, I still gave into E and she was my puppet master

"Do you love me, Derek?" she whispered into my ear

No I love Sofia "Yes You know I do," I whispered back into hers

She sain realized how unattractive she had become to me She held my hand and led me outside of her room, which she hadn’t yet allowed ht I had to spend with her I observed the corridors ere passing through

High, stone walls, lit up by elegant fluorescent wall las or even elaborate tapestries gracing the walls, but was surprised to find it bare apart fro the s on one side, eachreaching froh the corridor and I founda few steps ahead of me What happened to you, Cora? How did you become Emilia? Despite my hatred for what she’d become, I could not deny the fact that Cora was hest and darkest periods of my life It hurt to know that this hat she had become

She twisted her head to faceat her She took it as a couess I inwardly winced at the idea, but of course, I knew thata co us at that ht I was in love with her

"You’re staring" She blushed

I wanted to strangle her It’s not like I have any control over what I do, you crazy witch "I just can’t keep my eyes off you You’re so beautiful"

Puppet’s praise didn’t see to her anymore, because she didn’t react to my co it because of my father’s control over you?"

Definitely your father’s control… "Of course I mean it, Emilia Any man can look at you and see how beautiful you are"

I heard someone snicker behind me We both turned around and I couldn’t help but feel amused over how E her eyes She then introduced him to me "This, unfortunately, is my older brother"

Howto the Elder’s clan? I began studying hiblood red He had a largestance He also had a beautiful young redhead cradled in his ar me over several ti for all these years?"

Eh and I couldn’t help but wonder who the– perhaps herself – to hireat Derek Novak"

Kiev looked at"Tellas everyone says she is? Is she as beautiful as irl, Vanessa, over here?" He clutched her by the jaw and began shaking her head Her brown eyes fell on me and I could see desperation in them

More than that, I could see Sofia in her My irl I loved filling h my rinned triumphantly but her shter I was dumbfounded by the response and it seemed so was Emilia Of course, E with you, Kiev?!" she eventually burst out when she finally had enough of his laughter

"You’re fast, little sister You already have hi he can hold up, shall we?" He held the girl firmly and shoved her forward