The Book of Life

Content Warning: The section contains depictions of child abuse, drugging and overdose, forced pregnancy, graphic torture, kidnapping, miscarriage, racial slurs, rape, and suicide.

This chapter is written in third person, with the perspective alternating between Philippe de Clermont (the ghost of Matthew’s vampire father), Marcus Whitmore (Matthew’s vampire son), Gallowglass (Matthew’s vampire nephew), Fernando Gonçalves (Matthew’s vampire uncle-in-law), and Sarah Bishop (Diana’s aunt).

Tensions arise at Sept-Tours (a French castle and stronghold of the de Clermont family) as Diana Bishop, the protagonist and a weaver witch, and her husband, Matthew Clairmont (a vampire scientist) return from their seven-month journey to 1591 London. Diana, now pregnant with twins and sporting coppery hair, catches the attention of the ghosts of Emily Mather, Diana’s aunt-in-law, and Philippe de Clermont.

Marcus Whitmore feels guilty over Emily’s death and his relationship with Phoebe Taylor, a human historian. Meanwhile, Fernando Gonçalves discusses Emily’s passing with Gallowglass, who suggests Fernando should lead the Knights of Lazarus, an ancient military order controlled by the de Clermont family and currently run by Marcus. The de Clermont family is an ancient and powerful vampire family, made up of the vampire children of Philippe and Ysabeau, Matthew’s mother and vampire sire.