Mae's POV

It is finally over, after all these years this nightmare was finally over. Earlier today it pained me to attack my granddaughter but I had no choice. The marking tattooed onto my skin prevented me from disobeying Brian.

For the past decade I have been trapped by that psycho. I had no other choice.

I am just thankful that Sophia was smart enough to recognize the markings for what they were. That was why I kept pushing up the sleeves of my shirt. I knew the fairy noticed immediately, I just hoped they knew how to remove them.

I was luckily I happened to be right. The rush of being free was so massive that it knocked me out with the force of ripping the spell from my body. It hurt like a bitch but I would gladly take that pain any day.

Now as I ran down the cells open each one up, freeing the prisoners I had one room left.

The two men with Sophia were successful in tearing the door off of the hinges. The one I knew was King Vladimir of the vampires although it has been at least a century since our paths had crossed. The other I assumed was my granddaughters mate. I have to say I approve. He was definitely easy on the eyes.

Walking into the room I started opening up all the doors. This whole goddamn castle was one giant maze, this room was no different.

Finally a voice responded to my calling out. Smiling I yanked the last door to the patio open.

Racing ahead I drew the woman into my arms as I hugged her. Laughing as I told her that it was finally over. After all these years she was finally free. The reason why I stayed and became trapped by that fucking prick. We both were free.

The gasp behind me stopped our rejoicing.

"H-how is it p-possible." Sophia stuttered as she stared into the face of her mother. A woman that she buried years ago.

"Oh my baby." Mother and daughter reunited as they hugged and cried. After several minutes Knox cleared his throat loud enough to draw everyone's attention.

"Can someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?"

Yeah I definitely like this man. "Let's gather everyone and head upstairs. This place depresses the shit out of me."

Gathering the remained prisoners we headed upstairs. Sophia clung to her mother as everyone took as seat.

"Okay King Knox now I will explain. About 20 years ago my daughter got sick, cancer. Since her powers never surfaced she was susceptible to human diseases. Cancer had started to spread when Brian contacted me. He had taken your mother the day you believed she died. With a little bit of magic he was able to make another look like her."

"Wait how. I thought he didn't have magic strong enough to do that. How is that possible?

"You are right granddaughter, not powerful enough to perform on a live person, but a dead person, yeah he had enough and it was only temporary. Your mother ended up hear. Now you have to understand. I have always watched out for your mother and you. The day I met your grandfather a century ago was the day my life changed. I knew instantly he was my mate, but he was just a small boy at the time.

So I waited 20 years for him to mature until I sought him out again. During that time I changed. Everything. I cut ties with the Council. Stopped doing their dirty work. Told my brother to go to hell and disappeared."

"Wait your brother? Maximus was your brother?"

"Yes he was. Power and greed changed him over the centuries, me too...until I met Walter and my world shifted. What was evil became good. He was my life from that point on. I moved away to be close to him and when he was in his twenties we met officially.

Christine was born a few years later. After college her father was killed in a car accident. He was human and the magic I had protecting him could not help a broken neck. In my grief I focus my energy on Christine until she moved out.

A few years later she returned with you Sophia, an infant. The second I held you I know what your destiny was. I changed it by placing the bind on you. To give you a chance of growing up. Over the years I have watched you and your mother. I just didn't know I wasn't the only one watching. Brian and the Council found out.

They took your mother and cured her, but held her hostage here. Then a few months ago he came to me. Told me he had Christine prisoner and was waiting for the right time to cash in on it. In exchange for her life I needed to assist him in transforming another man to look and sound just like him. While I was chanting he was too.

The etchings darkened my skin while my mind was creating those on the imposter. The prick was clever, waiting until my defenses were lowered to strike. I locked him out of the room on purpose, but there was another door that he quietly entered from.

Sophia, you were his ultimate goal. His obsession with you was unhealthy. Even the Council began to watch him, but they were really watching the first imposter. He knew when you finally came into your magic."

"Wait a minute Mae, what do you mean first imposter, how many did you create?"

"Well Vlad, the first guy lost track of Sophia and Ella when they ran. Brian killed him in a fit of rage. The second guy found you and reported back that you had come into your powers. He also died. The third was killed by you a few days ago. Brian had you watched constantly – always waiting to strike. When you broke the bind, he became even more erratic, crazier if at all possible. He wanted you tied to him and if he couldn't have you he wanted you dead. And he wanted your powers – that was his main goal."

Everyone sat in silence as Mae finished the story. I could tell they were all a bit stunned realizing that Brian was the real villain this time not me. I smiled briefly thinking of my mate. Not a day goes by that I don't miss that man. But I never regretted him coming into my life and altering my universe. When one lives centuries it is always good to have your world altered...especially in a good way.

Reuniting with my daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter hand altered it once again.