Page 7 of The Reluctant Heir

I make my way back to the couch and pick up my book. I try to read some more, but it can’t capture my attention. Instead, I keep thinking about Michael Scott and his offer. I could finally do something with my life other than fetch coffee and take notes. My life could finally mean something.

Like every night, I don’t fall asleep until the sun begins to rise. When my alarm goes off for work a few hours later, I text Deborah to let her know I won’t be at work today. There are no meetings so it’s not like I’m truly needed. I go back to sleep. I’mgoing to need energy if I’m going to confront my mother about Michael Scott.

3

THE DECISION

As soon as I wake up, I get a quick shower and head to my mom’s house. It’s nearing sunset by the time I pull into her driveway. Michael Scott didn’t show up at my place until midnight last night, so I am assuming he’ll follow the same pattern as before.

When I get to the front door, I don’t bother knocking and walk right inside. Even though I haven’t lived here for four years now, I still don’t knock when I come over. Maybe Ishould, but this place still feels like home.

“Mom!” I yell from the foyer as I make my way further into the house.

She doesn’t respond, but I hear voices coming from the living room. I head that way and stop when I seewhois sitting on the couch next to my mother.

Mom’s eyes widen and she abruptly stands from the couch when she sees me. “Madeline. What are you doing here?”

Well… if there were any lingering doubts that Michael Scott could be my dad they’re certainly gone now. Not that I doubted it.

“So it’s true.” I cross my arms over my chest, giving my mom a look.

Michael stands. “I will go and let the two of you talk.” He stops by me. “Madeline, I’ll come to your house around midnight.”

I nod to let him know I heard him, thankful he’s going to give me a chance to speak with my mother alone. As soon as Michael walks from the living room, my mother rushes over to me and wraps me in an embrace. Part of me wants to shove her away and demand answers, but the last thing I want to do is hurt my mom. I can wait a few more seconds.

I wrap my arms around her, leaning into her embrace.

My mother is, like all the other succubi, tall. She stands at 5’11”, making my own 5’5” frame feel short.

“Oh, Madeline.” She sighs, leaning over to put her cheek on the top of my head. Her red hair gets in my face, but I ignore it and just let her hold me.

My mom is gorgeous. Out of all the succubi I’ve met, not one can come close to her beauty. But not once has she ever made me feel like I’m less because of my hybrid blood. She’s the one who says I should embrace both sides of myself. I’ve always wished I could be more like her.

I can’t help but feel a little betrayed by my mom right now. I need to know if what Michael said is true. Did my mom really keep the truth about my existence from him until I was eighteen?

Worse than that, I need to know if my mom knew my father was married. Because I just can’t imagine my mother being the kind of woman to dothatwith a married man knowingly.

Mom pulls back, putting her hands on my shoulders. “You’re upset with me.”

I nod, not bothering to hide the truth. My mom knows me too well for me to lie to her.

She gently caresses my cheek with her thumb and then pulls back. “Let’s sit. We need to talk.”

I follow my mom to the couch and take a seat beside her. She fidgets her folded hands in her lap for a few seconds, like she’s trying to figure out where to start.

“How did you meet Michael?” I ask, deciding I want to hear the story from the beginning.

Her entire face lights up as she looks at me. “It was a whirlwind romance, your dad and I.”

Mydad. It’s so weird to hear that phrase directed at me. My father has always been a taboo topic. Anytime I’ve brought him up, it’s always been shot down.

“Before you were born, I worked for my father as an ambassador,” Mom begins. “It was so much fun. I got to travel and meet with other supernaturals. I never really enjoyed being around my kind. And being an ambassador gave me a chance to get away. I loved every moment of it.”

She was an ambassador? How have I never heard about this? Ithoughtmy mom told me everything. At least, everything that didn’t pertain to my father.

“I was sent to talk with the vampires about an alliance,” Mom says, after a long pause. “Michael Scott was young and had just taken his throne and my father thought it was a good way in with the vampires.”

I furrow my brows. “But we don’t have an alliance with the vampires.”

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