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Stefan nodded and flipped through more books. He picked up another, his eyebrow raised in humor as he ran his hand over the cover. "The Picture of Dorian Gray. Ironic book to have, yes?"
From my cross-legged position on the floor, I observed him as he stood barefoot in front of the giant, built-in bookcase with the leather bound book in his hand. His bright blond hair was messy and rumpled, his navy blue t-shirt snug against his chest. He leaned against the wall and crossed his denim clad legs, skimming through the pages of the book, reading at what seemed to be super speed.
"I suppose it is now that I think about it. A beautiful man that doesn't age," I said. He glanced up from the book and his tongue swept over his lower lip as he waited for me to continue. "You don't have a painting of yourself stashed away in an attic somewh
ere that is revealing your true age and evil deeds, do you?"
He chuckled and waved the book in front of him. "No, I can assure you I do not. I am going to assume this goes in the keep pile. Should I mention I happen to have the 1891 First Edition copy of this very book?"
My mouth gaped for a moment. I tucked a piece of hair that escaped from my ponytail behind my ear, trying to act nonplussed about the fact that he owned a First Edition copy and he'd been around to purchase it, instead trying to refocus on packing. I couldn't help watching him from of the corner of my eye. "Please. "
He sighed and placed the book in what was the unofficial "keep" pile. He started on the last shelf, pulling out another leather bound volume. He examined the book in silence, opening it and flipping through the pages. He stopped and concentrated on a page, tension pinching between his blond eyebrows.
"What?" I asked, distracted by packing books away in a box. Each book I touched made me think about the only man I would ever call my Dad, my adoptive father. Seeing all of these books always made me think of him, remembering the joy he would feel when he would read them, the happiness apparent in his dark blue eyes behind his wire-rimmed glasses.
"This book. The Life of Napoleon by John Holland Rose. The 1904 version. Interesting. " He held on to the volume and crossed the room to sit on the floor beside me, one leg bent with his arm resting on his knee. "How did you come to own this edition?"
"It was another gift from my adoptive father. He was a book lover as well as a collector. When my adoptive parents died, his collection became mine. " I shrugged and went back to packing.
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,
