Free Vampire - Child of Destiny (Vampire Series Book 2) by Charmain Marie Mitchell

I was to discover the secrets of Henry's life.  I had decided that I would dress as a serving wench, and gain information from whoever or wherever I could gain it.  Because I was going to be wearing a disguise as a serving wench, I had found my party an inn about half a mile from Whitehall.  I did not want anyone recognizing me coming and going from the royal palace.
     
    I was impatient to find out as much as I could about my son and the life he had led up until that moment, and so I started out towards the palace, shortly after I arrived.  I dressed myself in one of my Jeanne's dresses and swiftly made my way to the palace.
     
    It seems that sometimes the fates are for, or against us.  However, on this day the fates were on my side, for no sooner had I made my way through the gates of the palace than I heard a young girl whispering about Master Vanike.
     
    "Do you work for Master Vanike?" I asked her, looking deep into her eyes, willing her to talk to me.
    "Lord no...I works for his betrothed I do...they be getting married, ya see."
    "And who is his betrothed?" I asked.  My eyes were glued to hers, willing her under my spell, because it was vital that I discover all she knew.
     
    The girl paused.  I could see she was trying to place me in the palace, trying to recognise me amongst the hundreds that worked there.
    "What is your name?" I said softly.
    "I be Anne...and you be?" I smiled at her, and replied, "My name is Jenny. Do you not remember me, Anne?  We once worked together for a while in the laundry."  A smile lit Anne's face, I had convinced her that she knew of a memory that did not exist, but she could place me now, and therefore trust me.
     
    "Why a course you be Jenny, I near forgot ya, I did...I be working for Lady Jane Simpson, Jenny...she be marrying the young master a few weeks hence."
     
    I was a little startled by Anne’s news.  Why would Henry marry just a few months before he was to become a vampire?  I then noticed that Anne had turned from me and had started to move on.
     
    "Stop, Anne..." I shouted as I caught up to her, holding onto her arm as I turned her towards me.
    "Do you have any secrets you need to tell me about the lady Jane?" 
    Anne's brow creased in uncertainty, and then looking around her to make sure no one else heard, she said, "Shh, Jenny, the like of us cannot be discussing them, but I do have a secret...she be with child, the lady Jane, that is...she be with child."
     
    Henry had begot his heir before he lost the ability, he would have a child of his own blood, but still become a vampire.  I knew without doubt that this was Robert's idea, and anger rushed through my veins.  He was using my blood to start a vampire dynasty, a dynasty of murderous beings!
     
    Once more Anne had moved away from me, this time I ran after her and said,
    "Anne, I think I will attend the lady Jane with you, lead me to her."
    "But, Jenny, I be getting in trouble...I be." I raised my hand to stop her chatter, and said,
    "She will be happy to see me, Jenny, it's been a long time, and she's missed me."
    A smile fluttered across Anne's face. "Of course, Jenny, sure I had forgot that you be friends...Well follow me, Jenny...Follow me."
     
    I followed Anne through the cold corridors of Whitehall.  My emotions were all tangled and confused.  On the one hand I was happy at the thought that I would soon see a child of my blood enter the world, on the other, I was angry that this child was begot simply to become another monster.  Now, more than ever, it was vital that I try to stop Henry changing into a vampire.
     
    Before long, I followed Anne into a large and richly decorated bedchamber.  A young girl stood up from a warm chair from beside the fire.  She was an angelic vision, a glorious creature of pale golden beauty. Ethereal and fragile, she would never survive in the world of vampires.
     
    "Who is this, Anne?" she asked, her voice, like her body, soft and gentle.  Before Anne could