Page 82 of Of Shadows and Death

Under her stare, I stutter about how I used the animal companion spell. Queen Selene’s face relaxes, and she turns to Nava. For the next few minutes, I do not hear a word from either of them. Queen Selene laughs at one point, and it’s obvious they must be talking with their minds. I don’t know why she couldn’t have asked Nava why she was with me.

Another handful of minutes pass, and my stomach growls. While they talk, I take out another roll and bite into it. Finally, Queen Selene nods and places Nava on the ground. Nava crawls up my dress and settles into her usual spot while Queen Selene studies me with arms crossed.

“Nava has told me much. This witch that is after you, Airalin, I believe. You are right, she will not stop. Not if you’re the seventh child three times over.”

“What does that mean?” I ask. “I’ve been searching in the library and have found nothing.”

Queen Selene holds out her hand, gesturing to my roll. I break off half and hand it to her. She takes a few bites and swallows before answering. “The seventh child of the seventh child of the seventh child is a magic amplifier. Any mage in possession of such a child will have unlimited stores of magic.” She eyes my hair. “How long has she made you grow your hair?”

“Since before I can remember.”

Queen Selene nods knowingly. “By keeping your hair long, she ensures she can take pieces of it with her. Away from you, the magic does not last longer than a month, though.”

I think back to all of Airalin’s times away from the tower. Never longer than a month. “But when I cut my hair, I have magic.” I pause. “Well, at least the first time I cut it.”

Queen Selene reaches forward and tugs one of the braids into her hand. “Of course you did. The strands are storing the magic from your body. The magic has nowhere to go but back inside you when you cut it.”

She lets go of my braid, and it falls to my feet. She waves her hand. “No matter. Tell me about my vampires. I haven’t watched them in a century.”

With a shrug, I start telling her everything I know about the vampires, including the rebellion. There will be time later to experiment with my hair, but I don’t know how long Queen Selene can stay.

When I finish relating the tale of the battle, Queen Selene shakes her head. “There were always rebellions until I took the throne.” She eyes me. “What they need is a new queen, one to bring them together.”

The thought of Raúl married to another woman, touching another woman, loving another woman, makes me seethe. I clench my fist, squeezing the fabric of my dress. “Perhaps the next king will find one.”

She tilts her head. “You object to this king?”

“He is mine,” I say, the words spilling out of my mouth before I can stop them.

She shrugs. “My people need a queen. Your feelings are of no consequence in this matter. He requires a wife to support him and a queen to rule. Vampire queens hold special power on the throne, and my people need this power.”

I stand up, rage flowing through me, not quite understanding where all of this jealousy is coming from. “I will never let another woman touch him, ever!”

She stares at me intensely. “Then why are you here instead of there with him?”

The fight drains from me, and I hesitate. “The mirror. A woman appeared, directing me here.”

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Queen Selene watches me, a small smile on her face. “I see.”

I stare at her. “See what?”

“Have you seen this woman before?”

“No, never.”

Queen Selene nods. “Give me your hand.”

Curious, I place my hand in hers. She closes her eyes, and warmth washes over me. Then suddenly, it disappears, leaving cold in its wake. “You are not quite ready. Return to me when you are. I must go for now.”

“How will I know when I’m ready?” I ask, but she’s already leaving. I reach out to keep her here a moment longer, but she disappears. My hand drops into my lap and I sigh, slumping to the floor.

The cold stone tile causes goosebumps to appear across my arms, and I shiver, hugging myself to get warm. I gaze at the ceiling, surprised at the constellations now glowing, ones I’ve never seen before. There are five of them, and I wonder if they correspond with the five queens.

Exhausted, I stop thinking about it and close my eyes, welcoming the sleep that overcomes me.

I jolt awake, a metal twisting sound at the door making my heart pound. I whip my head around, but there is no place to hide. The metal wheel clamors even more, and I know my time is running short. My heart pounding, I crawl to the farthest corner of the tomb, waiting with trembling hands, holding on to my magic.

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