The Dark Secret of the CEO by Sofia de Orellana

Chapter 19

“…I thought we weren’t expecting everyone?” I mutter, a bit worried now.

“We weren’t, but when Richard summons us, most at least give a reply, even to decline. We haven’t heard from Quentin.”

“What about Viktor?” Asks Cata. “And Elijah?”

“Viktor just texted back in the group chat,” Cecily says. “He’s fine, just sulking as usual.”

“Vivian said she was coming, she might just be late. Susan hasn’t texted in a while though…”

“So Quentin, Susan and Elijah are also missing?” Mutters Benedict. “…What the heck is going on?”

All eyes go to the patriarch… Is that the real reason he summoned them all here, and forbade them from leaving London? His dark expression tells me that’s right, but there might also be more than that. Greyson looks a bit out of breath, and he smells like gasoline. A biker?

“…I understand,” Richard mutters after a while. “Thank you, Greyson.”

Greyson nods, then glances my way. To my surprise, he walks up to me, and before I can utter a word, he pats my head, his huge hand easily covering my scalp, and then walks past us, towards the kitchen. I let out a faint sigh, while Cecily leans against the door frame, grabbing her phone. I bet she’s texting the missing vampires. Behind us, I spot Felicia, standing on the stairs with a sad expression. Bart glances at her too, and they silently exchange looks. I don’t know what to say… He then puts an arm around my waist, and without a word, I’m pushed back upstairs, Cecily following us. We all leave Richard alone in the living room.

“What the hell could have happened?” Bart groans after we’ve reached the second floor. “Atticus was no newborn and he always kept to himself. Who could have tried to attack him…?”

“You think someone attacked him?” I ask, shocked.

“That’s the only explanation,” whispers Felicia. “We don’t die from disease, and it’s unlikely a human could kill us. Atticus was the most quiet, calm vampire you could imagine. He spent four centuries living in the same area, guarding the cemetery his family was buried in. He would come to London or see one of us once in a while, but he wouldn’t have gone somewhere without at least telling one of us.”

“If it had been an accident, Greyson would have found him,” adds Cecily. “Vampires don’t simply disappear like that.”

I can’t help but shiver. Who could have been strong and mad enough to attack a three-centuries-old vampire? Do the Heartgraves have enemies I have yet to hear about? From what I’ve seen and heard, they all have their own lives, so who the heck would choose to attack one of them, and why? They seem worried it’s someone who’s after all of them, seeing how they were disturbed about the ones missing earlier…

the first time?” I ask. “…That one of the

lost a lot of our siblings during the wars. The thing is, wars were also a good way for enemy vampires to kill some of us without getting Richard’s attention. They are all trying to get to him, to our Overlord, through us. Richard’s a very, very powerful and

the newbies close to home,” adds

who was still alive and well, but also for my sake… I have a bad feeling about this. I’m already feeling angry for Atticus’ sake, and even worried for the others I haven’t

me towards my door. “Leave this to the grown-ups to handle, alright? Just rest,

lying on the bed. I listen to everyone going back to their own, and the house gets quiet again. I can faintly hear Cata and Greyson speaking if I focus enough, but I won’t eavesdrop. From the little bit I saw of him, Greyson seemed like a

under the sheets, more for comfort than for warmth. It seems like this life as a Heartgraves won’t be without danger either. For now, I should just trust Richard and the others… Seems like I’ll be safe as

and full of ideas. According to an app Cecily set up on my phone, the sun just went down, and it’s still early in the evening. I quickly get up, but then, my enthusiasm is cut short again. Crap, I really need to get some clothes… Instead,

with a

worse. She changed clothes, and is now wearing black leather pants and a simple white blouse, but it looks like they are all brand new, and perfectly flattering her impressive figure. She clearly puts the accent on her accessories, like those huge earrings or the bracelets making a racket on her wrist, and those flashy blue

“Yes, thanks,” I nod.

on,” she says, clapping her hands together. “It’s not often that I get to take one of my little sisters shopping, so today’s the day! Go on

too!” Suddenly shouts Cecily from somewhere above

time, Cessily hands me a knit dress she bought and never wore for some reason, with high boots. Not my style, but it

Card, and my business

you,” I

they take it? They picked my death date as my birth date, only subtracting 25 years… I guess that makes me a Libra now? Everything looks absolutely genuine. I don’t dare to ask what the limit is on the credit card, but I’m not really worried. It’s one of those top tier, black platinum type of credit cards that already cost

a phone now, I’ve also sent you the details we’ve set as your life as Hera,

“Yes, Sir,” I nod.

me by the arm. “We have to shop for your passport protection

I’m genuinely impressed at how

the basics, and pick simple designs but with higher-quality fabrics, in dark or simple tones. In just two hours, I buy four different denim jeans, two pairs of leather pants, some short skirts to show off my legs, a few bodysuits with long sleeves, three strap tops, a couple of turtlenecks, and two dresses. Following Rebecca’s advice, I also buy a couple of accessories for jewelry, like a layered necklace, a few gold rings, and little hoop earrings. When it comes to shoes though, Cecily is a real tyrant. She forces me to try eighteen different pairs, each more impossible than the last, and half of them I couldn’t possibly have worn with my human legs without breaking an ankle. While I love being able to wear high heels, I’m just not ready yet for the snake skin or big red pumps. Luckily, I manage to settle for some boots, low and high, relatively normal heels, and even a pair of Nike Air Max, just so I look human from time to time… The last stop is the Dior makeup stand, and this time, I’m more than happy to try and get the latest colors I saw last night into my shopping bag. Rebecca and Cecily have literally dozens of decades of knowledge on makeup,

me a

it. Didn’t they already feed yesterday? I don’t know why, I don’t really feel like going with them. In fact, those three long hours of shopping have rendered me kind of overwhelmed, and I feel the need to be… alone, for

is it alright if I just go home instead?” I ask. “I just… need to be

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