chapter 97
chapter 97
Imogen’s POV
My head was racing, my mind going into overdrive at the sight of the man I thought was dead, now
standing before me.
“Hey sweety, you probably don’t remember me,” he says.
“You, you fucking killed us and left us” Josiah bellows coming face to face with the man that
changed them and disappeared off the face of the earth.
“Blame your guard dog there. He chased me away before I could explain,” he spat back at Josiah.
Tobias growled menacingly at being called a guard dog. Josiah went to step forward, but Mara got
between them.
“As interesting as this is to watch, we have more pressing matters at hand, and you have some
explaining to do as to why you just disappeared for a century,” she said, pointing to my father and
folding her arms across her chest.
“I was on vacation,” he said, eyeing his daughter, making me look at Bianca who had fallen silent
behind us, still trapped in the vines. She averted her eyes, and I knew there was something my father
was hiding for her benefit.
“Guards take Christopher away” Mara called before turning to Bianca.
“Now Cedric, I understand she is your daughter, but we will punish her, I never like these
challenges. Such a waste of life” she said, shaking her head before looking at my father. I couldn’t tear
my eyes from him. It was like looking at a ghost. I looked like him. I always thought I looked like my
mother but with him in front of me, I am not so sure. We had the same hair colour the same full lips, he
was a bit of a hippy which I didn’t picture, even in the memories I had of him, he was always clean and
well shaven and dressed clean. Not in dyed shirt and board shorts. His feet bare but his gaze softened
as he took me in and I could tell without a doubt he loved me even if he wasn’t there when I needed
him or that I could fully remember.
Tarina came forward, pulling my attention to her. “So, what about the challenge?” she asks and the
rest of the council members walk over too, also wondering.
"Will you be taking your position back?” The Irish man asks, looking at my father. My father nods
his head, and they look relieved.
“What about Christopher’s next in line?” Tobias asks.
“No, I reckon it is time for a change. Let the people vote who get the head of the table,” Percy says
stepping out from behind my father. I forgot he was even there. They all nod in agreement.
“Well, it is decided. Josiah welcome aboard. I will give you early congratulations as we all know
you have the people on your side and after this mess. I don’t see anyone stepping up to challenge you
for the spot.”
Josiah nods his head but adds nothing. Everyone’s eyes dart to Bianca, who shrinks under their
intense gaze.
“Imogen, you can choose what happens to your sister,” Josiah says, and everyone looks at me
waiting. My father’s eyes dart to hers, worried.
“She can share the same Fate Josiah had after he killed Alaric. Then I don’t care what you do with
her,” I tell them. Bianca screams and fights against the vines trapping her. Our father walks over to her
and rubs her cheek.
“You did the crime, now you must accept the punishment,” he tells her, and she drops her head
ashamed before nodding, a sob leaving her lips.
“It’s only a month of whipping and having organs pulled, Bianca. You will live, unfortunately. And to
add to that you will become my servant until we can trust you again,” Josiah sneered, and I knew he
would give her hell, as his eyes flared. Bianca paled, and I had to hold in my laugh.
I let the vines drop and wobbled slightly. Theo grabbing my elbow to steady me. I hadn’t realised
how much energy and power I was burning just by keeping her trapped until I let the magic go. A wave
of exhaustion washing over me and darkness pushing against me. Guards hauled Bianca away, kicking
and screaming.
“We will get out of your hair, go home, Imogen. You did well today. I know this won’t be the last
time I will see you,” Mara said dismissing everyone before walking off with the rest of the council. That
only left Josiah, Tobias, Theo, and my father standing in the quad with me. I looked between my father
and Josiah, who seemed to be having a Mexican standoff. The silence was awkward. What do you say
to the man who took your memories of him away?
“Dad, for the sake of Imogen, can you please take it up with Cedric later? As much as I want to
skin him alive, he is still her father,” Theo says, touching his father’s shoulder gently. Josiah takes a
deep breath before sighing. His eyes move to me and he comes over and hugs me tightly. I return his
hug.
“Take the car. I need to sort some things here. You are lucky your daughter is mates with my sons
and the mother of my grandchild,” he tells my father before turning to face his sons. “Your mother is
going to have a heart attack when she finds out,” he says looking at Theo and Tobias.
“Bianca said I had an adorable grandson,” my father said looking thoughtful. Tobias growls low and
I elbow him. My father smirks at my actions.
“You can meet him, just let me get my head around the fact you are alive first,” I tell him.
“Here put your number in here, I will ring you once everything settles down. I really want to meet
this grandson of mine and let you get to know me better, Imogen. I never planned for any of this. I loved
your mother still do, and I know Bianca has hurt you, but I promise she isn’t all bad. Hopefully, one day © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
you will get to know the better side of her,” he says, passing me his phone.
I doubt I will ever feel differently about Bianca, but I type my number into his phone, anyway. Today
has been a strange day.
Handing his phone back, he touches my shoulder, squeezing softly. “I better head in and I am sure
your father has some choice words he wants to deliver to me,” he says, nodding to Tobias and Theo.
“What now?” asks Theo watching as my father leaves.
“We go home” I tell him, walking to the portal needing this day to be over with. I just want to go
home and see my precious boy.