^^Zena

I held the goblet of blood as I walked down the halls. The vampire guards immediately glanced at me before getting their hunger under control. It always amazed me at their self control since Lara and Alec had once told me that my blood is tantalizing since the blood of royal vampires' mates are mouthwatering and indescribably sweet. I wasn't nervous about the vampires' self control. If anything, I was more concerned about the ones who hate wolves lashing out.

I finally arrived at the monarch's office and greeted the guards. With happy smiles, they opened the door. Lara was simultaneously on a call, signing documents, and sending an email. Jeez, what I would give to be able to multitask like her. She spotted me and told the person that she'd continue the conversation at their next meeting. She then ended the call and stopped working to give me her undivided attention. I swear I fall more and more in love with her everyday.

"For you." I handed her the goblet.

"And here I thought you'd want to have the blood for yourself." She smirked while I rolled my eyes. "How are you, my love?" She sipped the blood before scrunching her brows. A mischievous smile played on my lips from the action. "This tastes awfully familiar." She looked down before placing the goblet away from her.

"I thought you'd like it." I was confused.

"I covet it." Her voice darkened and I could've sworn I was talking to Sloane. "Which is why I try to refrain from drinking your delectable blood. Me constantly drinking it will make the urge to drink your blood drastically increase and the last thing I want to do is hurt you." She still eyed the goblet in want. "I don't want to ever lose control." She stood up and ignited the liquid on fire.

"Didn't realize I'd make the atmosphere dark..." Lara chuckled at my words. "But how are you?"

"Tired!" She complained. I laughed as she was back to my regular Lara. "My God! These dimwits call me 24/7 and want me to fix all these issues. Why can't mum take over?"

"And you take over the company?" She gave me the evil eye. "Just joking, Larz." I sat in her lap, resulting in her wrapping her arms around me. "What can I do to help?"

"Give me an endless supply of kisses." Lara suddenly kissed me. "And I'm instantly recharged." She smiled. "What's your day been like, my love?"

"Failed attempts at finding anything on Geneve... like the last 2 weeks." I sighed while she looked concerned. "It's aggravating me."

"I see... we'll be journeying to the school soon. Hopefully, my aunts will be able to provide further clearance on their mother or any information in general." Lara scratched her head. "Mum and Hailey didn't interact with Geneve a lot, only when necessary." Lara thought for a moment. "How are you enjoying your stay here? I'm sorry it's taken me so long to inquire that."

"It's understandable. You're beyond busy!" I chuckled. "And a lot more hospitable than I imagined. I was worried that the absence of our friends would make me feel isolated here, but not really. Sure there are the vamps who aren't happy that a wolf is here, but-"

"Who?" Her voice darkened.

"It's fine." I pat her chest. "No one had been outwardly rude." I partially lied as I remembered the butler from yesterday.

"You're heart sped up, love." Her eyes narrowed.

"They always fulfill my requests." I stood up, causing her to whine. "You still have stuff to do and I don't want to distract you." I kissed her, but Lara captured me by wrapping her hand around my head, holding me in place.

"I love you." She whispered against my lips.

"I love you more." I smiled while she frowned. "Wha-"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes." I laughed.

"N-" I silenced her with a deep kiss.

"Yes." I nipped her lips before rushing out.

I heard her yell no, but continued walking down the hall. I went to our room and opened up my laptop. I then raced to the tv and hooked everything up. With my controller in hand, I played Grand Theft Auto and ran over every pedestrian I laid my eyes on. There was no way I'd be reading a book to get through this utter boredom.

X

I walked through the school's halls and observed the architecture. Zena sure did a nice job of putting this place back together after Addy destroyed it. I still didn't understand how no one saw my daughter go all demon shit and not put the pieces together about her real identity. I shrugged and continued walking past a few students. I noticed some parents here based on their visitor badge... identical to mine.

Unfortunately, Lara couldn't be here because of last minute work. The only good thing is that Zena won't be disappointed since she didn't even know we were planning on coming. It was supposed to be a surprise, which is why Lara was super disappointed. She kept muttering about how she hated this job and how it was keeping her from her regular life. I had to pacify her with sex later to stop her complaints.

I haven't really been on campus before, so I didn't know where to go. I stopped a student and asked for directions, but he was frozen in place. I politely smiled when I recognized he thought I was pretty. It took him a bit, but he snapped out his stupor and directed me to Francesca's office. I walked in that direction and tuned out the students' comments while staring at me.

I knocked on the door twice before opening it. Francesca looked up from her papers, with furrowed brows. She lowered her pen and motioned for me to close the door. I smiled and closed it before sitting across from her.

"You look lovely." She spoke, without a smile. She's always so serious.

"And you haven't aged a day." That caused her to crack a smile. "I know you're busy, which is why I'll get straight to the point. I'm trying to develop a case against your mother, Geneve. But can't find any information. I was hoping you'd be able to supply me with something."

"She's a real mystery." Francesca sighed as she sat back. "She played the role of perfect and exceptional housewife. Looking in, she'd be the pinnacle of grace and poise and elegance. But that pretense is disguising a monster more cynical than my brother could ever fully adopt." Francesa looked off. "She was manipulative and cunning. She worked in the shadows to avoid..." She absentmindedly waved her hand. "To avoid things like this. People realizing her true nature and holding her accountable. She liked to be the puppeteer and have the puppet be the face of all her atrocities." She sneered.

"Who was worse? Your dad or mom?"

"My dad confronted Joaquin about abusing Alena whereas my mother urged him to kill our dad. So you tell me who's crueler?" She scoffed. "Neither was a saint, but my mother knows no bounds."

"That woman originally wanted my child dead. I'm not just gonna let that go."

"And I don't suggest that. She needs to pay."

"Lara wants to kill her."

"Allura wants to kill everyone." I chuckled at her words. Her eyes held hatred for her mother. "What do you need from me?"

"Information. Or any documents on her. Anything to do a profile case on her."

Francesca bit the inside of her cheek before pushing her chair back. She stood and motioned for me to follow her. She led me to a closet and told me to have at it. Francesca went back to her desk and worked on her documents. I wasted no time in scavenging through the boxes. I picked up a few manila folders before moving to a chair. Francesca's eyes flitted up as I buried my nose in the papers.

I continued scouring the documents for any useful information. Francesca ignored me and went back to her own files. After a while, Francesca announced that she had to leave for a meeting, but I was more than welcomed to stay. I gave her a polite smile before she left. I'm not sure how much longer I stayed, but I could tell that the sun had begun to go down. Crap! I wanted to see Zena.

I quickly stood and accidentally knocked a file over. I cursed before bending to pick the papers up. As I was reorganizing the papers, I came across a familiar symbol. I recalled the same rune being on a paper that Lara had snatched from my hands. I skimmed the document and came across the words sang familial. I was mildly interested, but remembered my daughter. I quickly cleaned everything up and left to find Zena.

Unlike Lara, I do have decency and respect for people's time, so I texted Zena that I was in the area and if she was available. As I awaited her response, my mind went back to that familiar rune. What did sang familial or family blood mean? I guess I can always ask Lara, but she tried to pass the document off as nothing. Wonder what she's hiding. My phone buzzed, indicating I received a text.

I smiled at Zena saying that she'd love to have dinner with me. I told her a restaurant to meet me at before heading in that direction.

I didn't have to wait long at the Italian restaurant before my daughter arrived. I smiled and hugged her tight. I kissed her temple before sitting across from her.

"I missed you, little dove." I smiled.

"Same." Zena giggled. "How are you and how is everything back at the chateau? What's it like being a Queen?" She eagerly asked.

"Well, the last one is for your other mother. And it's nice. I was a little apprehensive because I thought the majority would object to my presence, but it's been the opposite. Most are nice and those who have reservations still enact my requests with no attitude. And your mom is completely busy. Like 24/7." I chuckled.

"That must be rough on you. You and Yeira hate being bored." She gave me a knowing look while I rolled my eyes. "Speaking of, have you heard from her? I haven't and I'm a-"

"I'm trying not to think about it." I cut her off. "I know she's well equipped to defend herself, but I can't help but worry. I am her mom and... she'll always be my baby. I know it's difficult for her to reach us, but I wish she could give us a sign or something that everything's alright." I sighed. "On a lighter note..." Zena chuckled at my transition. "How have you been?"

"Definitely not a lighter note." She awkwardly chuckled before looking down. "I should be planning a wedding with Acacia, but my attention is split between that and-"

"Looking for a way to revive Kiki." She nodded at me. "I know your mom said-"

"I understand she's busy." Zena still looked bummed that Lara hadn't been able to begin looking into the Kiki situation. "And that's why I'm taking the initiative and trying to research it myself, but it's hard because I don't have her knowledge or experience. So I don't know if I'm going down the wrong path until I'm at the end and realize that I wasted my time." Poor Zena was beyond frustrated. "I just wish I had more help." Zena wiped a tear. "I wish she kept her promise." She mumbled.

"I know I don't have the same knack, abilities, or knowledge..." She chuckled at me. "But maybe I can take a stab at it. I'm used to doing in depth research into people, so it should be similar with spells. I'll try to find stuff and keep you updated. How does that sound?" She looked happier at my proposition.

"Thanks, mum." She shyly smiled. "Oh, how's the Geneve thing looking?"

"Like a major dead end." She gave me a pitiful look. "It's long and complicated and twisted. Lara only knows so much, same as your gran-aunts. She made sure there was little to no information on her. It's like trying to find a deceased person. We know she's in the vampire realm, but that's it."

"Shouldn't maman know where she's residing in the realm?" I furrowed my brows at Zena. "Gevene would be an aristocrat or someone of noble status, so just look in those areas."

"We don't know if she goes by the same name." I sighed. "Plus, it's a lot more work that goes into it then just locating the person. We'd need to plan on how to apprehend her and what we want to do with her."

"Gotcha." Zena sighed. "I just wonder if Yeira would want to talk to her." I gave Zena a confused look, so she expanded. "She's the reason Yeira was taken and not allowed to grow up with me. Well, she technically wanted us killed, but... I don't know. I just don't know if she'd have some words she'd like to tell that lady."

"I understand." I rubbed her arm. "Just try not to stress about that and I'll help you with the soul finding spell or anything related to Kiki."

"Thanks, Mum."

I squeezed her hand tight before directing her to eat the food. Zena didn't need to be told twice since she immediately dug into the food.