Page 54 of Of Shadows and Death

I sigh and flop backward onto the sofa. “I hope we can give Raúl some information to help him.”

We will.

“Thank you, Nava.”

Since I have nothing to do at the moment, I decide to go visit Carmen. I arrive at her rooms, proud of myself for finding the way, and knock on the door.

Beth answers with a genial smile, and I wave. “I came to visit Carmen.”

Carmen calls out from her sofa. “Come here, dearest. Sit and join us for a while.”

I walk in and join her. Carmen sips her glass of red liquid, setting it down on the table. “Tell me how you are doing.”

I listen to Carmen’s questions as I adjust my skirts on the sofa. “I am doing fine. Better, actually, now that I am here. I’m still confused about the whole situation with my mother. If I should even call her that. But I wanted to thank you for talking to me. I believe it’s helped a little.”

“I’m glad I could help. As for that witch, what would you prefer to call her?”

For a moment, I let my thoughts settle in my mind before voicing them. “I am not sure. That witch, like all of you do, is the closest I can think of right now. She raised me, but I can confidently say it wasn’t happily. I was a chore to her, not a treasure. If she didn’t want me, why didn’t she just leave me with my real parents? If they are my real parents, which I believe more with every new kernel of information that they are.”

I put a hand to my head. “This is all very confusing. I really wish I had the truth.”

Carmen leans forward and puts a hand on my knee, patting it gently, before leaning back and sipping her blood. “The truth cuts like a sword, I am afraid.”

My mouth drops open and I stare at her. “That was written on the mirror Mother had. The magic one.”

She smiles and nods. “Yes, I would guess so. Mirrors, especially magical ones, have a way of revealing that which is hidden. If you look.”

I rub my forehead and nod, wondering how I could get my hands back on that mirror.

Carmen purses her lips. “A small walk through the gardens will do you good. If you’d like to go.”

“I would love to,” I say. “I want to see where those lovely vegetables grow.” She stands up and holds out her arm for me. I stand and grasp it, leaving my worries behind. We walk down her tower, and my hand slides across the stone, the ridges and bumps grounding me. We head out the wooden door and step into the night. While we walk, she says, “I’m glad Raúl found you.”

“You are?”

“Yes. He is much more relaxed around you than I’ve ever seen him. He’s always feared not finding someone who looks past his scar and riches.”

“He is amazing,” I say, my heart warm. “I love being around him.”

Starlight surrounds us, for which I’m glad. Soon winter will descend, bringing clouds day and night. Carmen directs us to the vegetable garden. I step closer to the plants and touch the rough leaves of a cucumber.

I let go of Carmen and wander farther into the garden, brushing my fingers against what grows inside. I revel in the softness of the herbal blooms and the flimsy strength of the leaves. Turning around, I go to smile at Carmen, but she is nowhere to be found. My heart pounds and I grit my teeth. I have been outside plenty of times by now, but never alone.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, reaching deep into my core and taking a sliver of my storm. Fear grips my heart, and I let it come. I am no stranger to it, after all. This time, though, I will not shove it down.

Panic continues to rise. My breathing increases. My eyes water. I grasp my power, sending a wish into the universe. Please, please. Let me see the world as it really is.

Then abruptly, it is as if my panic is next to me. I can feel it, but it does not bring me to my knees. My eyes open. The world in front of me has changed. A subtle silver glow surrounds every living thing.

A rush of wind flies past my left cheek. Suddenly, a few steps away, stands a vampire, his two hate-filled eyes starting right into mine.

Chapter Forty-Five

“Niles,” I whisper, horrified. My breath catches in my throat as I recognize him.

A malicious grin spreads across the vampire’s face as I utter his name. Strange shadows swirl around his body. Something I’ve never seen before.

“Not so brave without your friend, are you,“ sneers the vampire. “Does he drink on you daily? Why else would he keep a human with him?”

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