The Hybrid Queen Mother

Chapter 7

Marcy’s POV

Waking up, I realized I was still in Jordan’s room. I hadn’t been able to sleep since James passed and every time I did manage to doze off, I was awakened by night terrors. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. Not only his, but also Jordan's.

Even now, I can't sleep well. I looked at the clock on the bedside table and saw it was barely 2 AM. Jordan was sleeping on the couch, since I took over his bed. Even he seemed to be having a hard time sleeping.

Gaia, have you spoken to Milo? I asked her as I made my way to the bathroom.

No. There seems to be a block up. I don’t think he’s spoken to Jordan either.

Can you push through the block?

I think so. But I don’t want to upset him.

Gaia, we need each other. Jordan is like a brother to me. I am okay playing the bad guy if that means getting him back. I can’t stand to see him like this.

I’m sure he feels the same way about us.

I know. I just don’t want him doing something he will regret.

Gaia nodded and retreated to the back of my mind. I hope that meant she was going to try to reach out to Milo. In the meantime, I needed to pack my bags and get ready for our trip. I knew Farrah and Josie would do a good job planning my coronation, and I knew my mom would likely help. With all of them working together, I knew it would come out right.

I also needed to make another announcement to the tribe about my new plans and coronation. I would address them after breakfast.

Walking back into the room to pack a bag for Jordan, I saw him sitting up on the couch. He looked stressed, tired. And I felt bad for dragging him along. But I had a feeling only I could get through to him. Deep down I felt like he would destroy himself if I didn’t keep him close. He didn’t deserve that. And neither did Stella.

“Can’t sleep?” I asked him and he nodded.

“I thought you left,” he said, and I could hear the slight panic in his voice.

“I just had to use the bathroom,” I told him. “You should try to sleep some more.”

“What about you?” she asked, and I knew I couldn’t hide the fact that I was struggling also.

“I need to pack. We leave after breakfast,” I smiled softly. “We can pack your bag first, then we can go to my room, and you can help me pack.” He nodded in agreement and we got to work.

Daylight came all too quickly. We were never able to go back to sleep after packing. Instead, we stayed up all night making small talk.

After breakfast was over, I made my announcement to the tribe. Stella was absent, which I knew from what Farrah and Jordan both told me. She was back at her coven. Farrah used her magic to style my hair in box braids, so I didn’t have to worry too much about it while I was out. Then I headed to my first destination. Rome.

Because only the woods were affected by the magic, it was evening and all the vampires were just getting their night started. My grandpa was the first to greet me and Jordan and had a large bag of blood waiting for me. I was still weak when I jumped long distances, especially when I jumped with someone.

I knew I needed to eat a lot more than I had been in order to get my strength back up, so I wouldn’t be bothered by this constant need for blood every two seconds. But I had no appetite.

“Welcome, it’s good to see you sweetheart. You as well, Jordan,” my grandpa said as he hugged me and kissed my cheek.

“You too, Grandpa. Are the generals all gathered?” I asked. He had come back to Rome the night I returned to the woods.

“Yes. Follow me,” he said.

We followed him through the castle that Markus built for himself and made our way to what looked like the training grounds. There were hundreds of generals gathered and waiting for my announcement. My grandpa introduced me to the clan and I stepped up to the podium.

“Hello. I’m sure you have all heard by now about the prophecy. Markus is dead. And I have been named the new Queen.” I started.

“Why should we follow you? Shouldn’t the strongest vampire be in charge?” Someone asked.

“I am the rightful heir to the throne. Pureblood or not. Also, I am the strongest. Anyone want to test that theory?” I asked as I felt my eyes start to glow.

“How are you the rightful heir?” another man asked.

“Markus was my great-grandfather. Those who doubt me, are more than welcome to see my memories. I possess the power of recollection,” I announced.

“I believe you!” A woman stepped forward, her eyes glowing bright red. “And as you all know, I have the ability to sense when someone is lying. Tell me, how is it that you are Markus’s grandchild? None of us knew he even had children.”

“Allow me to explain,” my grandpa said, and I nodded, moving out of his way, so he could be front and center.

“As you all know, Markus and I were best friends. We were very close for hundreds of years. I was there when the High Priestess placed her curse. I was also there for the birth of his first and only child.” Grandpa said.

“It was no secret that Markus had many mistresses. One of them was not careful and fell pregnant. She gave birth to a daughter in secret and Markus sent them away. When she returned to the palace, she found her partner. Me. And she died defending the palace shortly after giving birth to our daughter, Veronica, Marcy’s mother. Markus thought that Veronica died the night his daughter did. He was under the impression that Veronica was an orphan who I had raised since I lost my daughter.”

“Why did you lie to him?” the woman asked.

“I was warned not to reveal Veronica was my biological daughter. So I kept that a secret from all but her.” He responded. "Markus never knew the name of his granddaughter. So it made it easier to hide that Veronica was my daughter."

“I do not wish to change much. You all need a leader, and I am here to lead. It is my destiny to be the Queen of the supernatural world on Earth. I was given this title by the Mother Vampire, the Moon Goddess and the High Priestess.”

“There is no such thing as the Mother Vampire.” Someone yelled out.

“Who do you think was Markus’s Queen? You all knew he had one. But why have you never seen her? Markus created you, but who created him? I will show you all my memories. Memories of the Mother.”

“No need to,” I heard Victoria’s familiar voice. Seconds later, she appeared next to me on the stage.

Her power radiated over the crowd of people and the generals were forced to bow to her in respect. She shielded Jordan, my grandpa and me from her intense aura, but no one in the crowd could escape the bone-crushing pressure of her aura.

“My children. I am Victoria. Mother to all vampires. I came to tell you that anyone is more than welcome to challenge Marcy for the throne. However, I must warn you, she was chosen by Vasilia, raised and trained by Veronica and blessed by three Goddesses. No one’s strength can compare to hers.”

I then saw images flash through my mind. Images of my grandmother and great-grandmother. I had never met them before, but I could see the shocking resemblance to my own mother. Then I saw Markus’s acknowledgment of my grandmother being his daughter.

The last thing I saw was the moment when Markus begged at her feet for death. Instead, she turned him into the first vampire this world has ever seen. It was proof she had come before him. Proof that she was who she claimed to be.

When the images ended, I saw the confusion and astonishment of everyone in the crowd. There was no doubt left in the crowd, and even though Victoria brought her aura back in, everyone continued to bow to her.

“If anyone would like to challenge Marcy for the throne, I will acknowledge the winner of the challenge as king or queen of the vampires here on Earth. However, if the challenger loses, they will not be permitted into my kingdom in the afterlife. Who will be the first to challenge?”

I was slightly taken aback. I was in no shape to fight, and I was sure as hell not willing to do it in front of everyone. Luckily, no one challenged me, which made me believe they all accepted me as their Queen.

“Since no one will challenge Marcy. She will continue to hold the title of Queen. I expect all of you to regard her as such. She will be a much greater leader than that fraud, Markus.” With that, she disappeared, leaving everyone confused.

“As the Mother Vampire stated, I will lead the supernatural world. My goals are to create peace among all supernaturals, regardless of species. I want to thank all those who sided with me during the battle. And for those that fought to protect Markus, I hope you will hold the same loyalty to me. I know it will take time. And I will prove to you all how capable I am.”

I was met with silence, but I continued. “My coronation will be held on the night of the blood moon. You are all invited. I hope to see you there. In the meantime, General Elijah, along with the top ten generals, will run things in my absence.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” most of the crowd said. Some just stayed quiet.

Satisfied with the response, I nodded, then left the stage. My grandpa and the ten generals followed me. Once we were off the stage, my grandpa led me to Markus’s old office. There I spoke to the generals about my plans and how to move forward.

Some of the generals were obviously upset at my title and did nothing to try to hide it. They pointed out my incompetence and my lack of knowledge of the vampire laws and way of life. Of course, they also noted my youth and stated someone older and wiser should be in charge.

The constant belittlement almost caused a fight to break out as Jordan growled loudly and fought to not shift and tear them to shreds. He hated how they looked down on me and disrespected me, but I understood their concern. However, those words didn’t hurt me anymore. I knew they were words of fear and fear makes you say things you normally would keep to yourself.

Even if they meant what they said, my mother and Clan Leader Viktor taught me everything they knew about vampires and vampire laws. I was not ignorant to the lifestyle, laws or systems that vampires lived by.

Still, I allowed them to say what they needed to. It was better they get their feelings off their chests now rather than later. Once they were done, I addressed each of their concerns.

When we finally came to an understanding with each other, I decided it was time to leave. It was still mid-evening, and I had a lot of packs, clans and covens to visit. The blood moon was coming soon, and I needed time to prepare myself for it.

“Before you leave, take this,” my grandpa said as he handed me a small bottle.

“What is it?” I asked, eying it suspiciously.

“Victoria left it for you. She said it was a potion to help you feel better.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking the potion immediately. I didn’t feel a change, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t working. My grandpa handed me another bag of blood before reaching out and hugging me.

“I love you, grandpa. Keep me updated on how things are going here. And let me know if you need me to come back.”

“I love you too. Be safe,” he told me.

I grabbed Jordan’s hand and held it tight as I jumped to our next location. It was going to be a long day.