But I hadn’t cried since the day that the guards had broken the organ and all our musical instruments at the Institute, and I’d be damned if I let any tears fall now, in front of these parents who weren’t mine.
“Charlie, we don’t always agree on how to help you kids,” Sophia offered. “But we parents are here for you. We’ve all had to deal with prophecies, and destinies that were too big for us to handle, at an age when that responsibility shouldn’t have been on our shoulders. The adults in our lives who tried to help us often ended up dying, or went missing. Sometimes we couldn’t rely on them because they ended up betraying us. We’re trying to give you the resources we didn’t have.”
“Yes. As tough as we can be, we want to give you support,” Queen Emmaline insisted. “We’re upset because this could’ve gone worse than what happened today. One of you, or all of you, might’ve ended up hurt.”
I knew I’d gambled with everyone’s lives today. I’d put the people I’d cared about the most at risk, and if anything hadhappened to any one of them, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself.
But that didn’t change the fact that I didn’t believe the adults in this room actuallywantedto protect me. No parental figure had ever shown up for me. I’d constantly been let down, and I wasn’t going to take the bait this time.
My voice got rougher. I was more bitter than I ever had been. “The only heroes in this room are the ones who were with me in Paris this morning— and the people who were down there with me in Cellblock 9 when we were all dying. Don’t sit there and act like you give a shit about anyone in this room but your own kid. My father didn’t care enough to show up here, so I don’t know why the rest of you pretend like I’m important.”
Truth was, I wished Cameronhadbeen waiting to yell at me. Everyone else’s parents were here. At least if my dad was in this room, he’d fucking realize I was alive. I wouldn’t be invisible to him. He talked a great game about missing me and wanting to be my father, but Ineededhim to be here, and he was off screwing around doing who knew what when I’d just made one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
He wasn’t here to guide me like he’d promised. He’d brought me into this world just to leave me here. If he wasn’t going to be my dad, why had he bothered to give me life? What had I done to make him hate me so much?
Charlie, Oberi said calmly.We all know you’ve had to fight your whole life, but this robbery isn’t about only you. Your actions have an impact on all of the supernatural world, and the human world as well.
I don’t know why I should care about the world, because the world doesn’t care about me, I replied through the bond.
Then why are you doing any of this?Oberi asked.
His question struck me, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. I didn’t get a chance to respond before Liam was speaking again.
“You can’t make emotional decisions because you think no one cares about you,” Liam said softly.
I shook my head. He didn’t get it. “You’re just lecturing me because I’m married to your daughter, and you’re afraid of how hard I’ll fight for her.”
“Yeah, youaremarried to my daughter,” Liam said bluntly. “Which iswhyI care about you. You’re family, Charlie. Everyone here cares. And because we care, we’re telling you that you can’t save the world by yourself. What you did at the bank this morning was impulsive and rash. You can’t think that way if you’re going to fulfill your prophecy, because it’s going to get you hurt.”
“Liam, stop,” Sophia said gently. “This is unhelpful. Can we just be happy our children are alive?”
Liam drew a deep breath. “Yes, of course. We’re happy you made it back safely. But if you need help in the future with all of this, please— ask. Because you don’t need to do it alone.”
The door opened, and everyone turned to see who walked in. My Elf magic sensed who it was immediately, because Emperor Cassiel had such a prominent and powerful presence.
My stomach dropped, and my heart sank to the bottom of my chest.Oh, great, here it goes.I bet he was going to read me the riot act about what a fuck-up I was, and tell me no prince had ever disgraced the family so shamefully. Not like I didn’t deserve it.
My grandfather cleared his throat. “Charlie. I’d like a word.”
His voice remained surprisingly even, and somehow, that made it even worse. I wasreallygoing to get it now.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Cassiel suggested.
I couldn’t read his tone. Reluctantly, I stood and followed him. I kept my head down and my shoulders slumped. Didn’t think I could feel any lower, at this moment.
“The events that transpired this morning in Paris were… unexpected,” Cassiel began as he led me through the halls of the palace.
“Well, that’s what you get when you rob a bank,” I said flatly.
“Is it?” Cassiel asked. “I know what the news reports are saying, but why don’t you tell me your side of the story?”
I was caught off guard. No one had asked me that… ever, really.
“We received intel on the vampire key,” I started, before explaining everything that had transpired between last night and this morning. It kind of just came out of me, and I couldn’t hold it back. I left out a few parts regarding my wife and myself, for obvious reasons. But otherwise, I told him everything. Even what I felt, and what I’d thought prior to making the decision to leave for Paris.
By the time I finished, we had reached the gardens. A light breeze swept across my skin, and a lavender scent filled the air. It was a peaceful place. I wondered if the servants would hear my grandfather screaming at me from out here.
I expected Cassiel to respond, but he didn’t. Not right away, at least. We paced around the gardens, until he said, “I’m disappointed in you, Charlie.”
