Prince of the night

Five

Chapter Five: The Real Truth

But last night's events would not go away from Jessica's mind. She sat inside Lucian's mansion, in the huge dining room, the first light of day that broke its way through the covering fabric of the windows. Now that she had confronted it, there was something that she had to feel—an urge that said some things lay hidden under her questions. Why had her father, stepmother, and stepsister been so cruel to her? What were they trying to hide?

Lucian walked into the room and she felt at ease before he was even close to her. He smiled at her from a distance and closed in on her, pulling her gently into his arms. "You're quiet this morning. What's on your mind?"

Jessica looked up, her eyes full of uncertainty. "Lucian, I've been thinking… There has to be some reason why they treated me that way. It was not just cruelty; it felt personal. As if they hated me for some reason."

Lucian's face turned grave. He sat next to her, his fingers closing around hers. "I've been thinking the same thing. Last night, I caught a scent on your father. Very faint, but it is something I know—a scent of magic. Dark magic."

Jessica's heart went ka-thump. "Magic? What do you mean?"

Lucian squeezed her hand lightly. "It means, there is something in your past that you have not realized. I believe your father, or one very close to him, has been dabbling with dark magic not only to keep you in check but also to make sure that you do not grow too powerful and to keep you in the dark about who you really are."

Jessica's breath hitched. "So. they did know, and they were trying to hide something about me."

Lucian nodded. "It's possible. But we need to find out for sure. There's someone we can talk to a seer who can uncover the truth about your past."

There was a surge of hope within Jessica mixed with fear. "Will she really be able to tell us everything?"

His eyes softened. "She's the most powerful seer I know. If anyone can help us, it's her."

Jessica took in a deep breath that somehow gave her determination to believe. "Then let's go. I need to know the truth."