Page 50 of The Darkest Night

“Wow,” Nikolai murmured.

The sorcerer next to Bryony took a step forward, a scowl darkening his face and his hand dropping to the pommel of the dagger at his waist. “You really have a death wish, don’t you, kid?!”

Bryony pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s alright, Abraham. I know them from way back. Besides, Barbara will tan my hide if any of us raise a finger to her niece and nephew.” She lowered her hand, met Mae’s gaze, and bowed. “Welcome, my queen. I am Bryony Cross, the High Priestess of the New York coven. My people and I are yours to command.”

Mae grimaced. “Can I make a request?”

Bryony paused, a guarded expression flashing in her eyes. “Anything, my queen.”

Mae waved a hand. “Can we stop with all this queen nonsense and kowtowing? It makes me uncomfortable.”

Nikolai smiled.

Bryony blinked slowly, as if she didn’t understand the request.

“But—you’re our queen, as decreed by the prophecy,” she protested. “As such, you deserve the honor of being called our supreme leader.”

Mae narrowed her eyes.Prophecy?

“Supreme leader sounds even worse.” She sighed. “Look, I’m just a chick from Koreatown who likes beer and cutting people up, not some exalted figurehead. Up until a few days ago, I had no idea magic even existed.”

She observed Bryony’s fallen expression with an internal groan.

Chapter 25

Mae regarded Bryony searchingly.

Tradition is obviously important to this woman.

An idea came to her. She brightened. “How about this? As your queen, I can make decrees, right?”

Bryony nodded glumly at her question.

“Decree number one is this,” Mae commanded in a resolute voice. “No more calling me queen or bowing to me.”

Bryony opened her mouth to protest.

“Just take it as a win, Aunt Bryony,” Violet advised. “Bad things tend to happen when she gets upset.”

The other sorcerers and witches exchanged uneasy glances.

“What kind of bad things?” Nikolai asked Violet curiously. He waved a vague hand. “I mean, besides tearing apart a city.”

Mae pursed her lips guiltily.

Violet wrinkled her nose. “Everything around her kinda levitates and she absorbs the magic in the area.”

Mae’s mouth went dry. “I do?”

Violet pursed her lips. “Yeah. Miles and I thought you had enough going on without telling you what happened.”

Mae recalled their worn expressions last night.

I can absorb other people’s magic?!

She wasn’t sure if this realization pleased her or scared the hell out of her.

Mae realized everyone was staring at her expectantly. “Let’s start over.” She offered her hand to Bryony. “Hi, I’m Mae Jin. You can call me Mae.”

---