Page 12 of Witch Queen

“What’s wrong?” Bryony asked.

Abraham’s gaze moved to Mae. “Mrs. Son-Ha is asking for you.”

* * *

Nikolai’s pulsequickened as they approached the door that led to the basement. He could hear the high-pitched sound of a distressed animal in the distance.

Abraham led them down a flight of stairs and along a shadowy corridor. They came in sight of the cell at the end.

Mrs. Son-Ha sat on a low stool outside it, her dog Dexter on her lap. She was eating a rice cake and sipping a cup of green tea. Her Chihuahua whined as he gazed at the creature pacing the floor of the prison restlessly.

Nikolai’s throat constricted. Alastair croaked softly.

Drabek was but a shadow of her former self. The lynx looked gaunt, her ribs protruding through her thinning fur. Her ragged claws left trails of blood on the ground as she cried and yowled, her orange eyes radiating grief and loss.

“How did she get injured?” Mae asked in a voice devoid of emotion.

Nikolai glanced at her. He didn’t have to be a genius to know the sight of Oscar’s familiar was hurting her as much as it was him. Her nails were digging so hard into her palms he was surprised she hadn’t cut herself.

Mae flinched when he took hold of her hand. She swallowed and gave him a grateful look.

“She clawed at the floor until her nails wore down,” Mrs. Son-Ha said quietly. She sighed. “I think that’s enough rest for these old bones.” She put her cup on the tray beside her, got down off the stool, and reached a hand through the bars. “Come here, cat.”

To Nikolai’s surprise, Drabek slinked over to her. The lynx stopped and lowered her head obediently so Mrs. Son-Ha could touch her face.

Mrs. Son-Ha’s pupils flashed white.

The hairs rose on Nikolai’s arms. Mae stiffened beside him. The power emanating from the old woman felt different from magic.

“There’s an element of divine energy in it,” Mae murmured, surprised.

Nikolai stared at the pale light shimmering around Mrs. Son-Ha’s fingers.Is that because she deals with the dead?

Drabek slowly relaxed under her touch. She plopped down on her belly, her expression a little glazed. Dexter pushed his head between the bars and licked her nose.

The lynx made a soft sound and closed her eyes. She lay on her side, her body loosening as she succumbed to sleep.

Mrs. Son-Ha gently stroked her head.

“It would be best to put her out of her misery soon,” the Shaman said in a cold voice that was in sharp contrast to the kindness she was showing the animal.

She fixed Mae with a hard stare.

The old woman’s features softened a fraction at her distraught expression.

“Unless you undo this spell and reconnect her core to her sorcerer, she will be driven to death by her madness,” the old woman stated with a finality that made Nikolai’s stomach twist. “And she will suffer immensely before that time comes.”

He swallowed. “I—I will do it.”

Mrs. Son-Ha shook her head. “You shouldn’t. You won’t be able to live with yourself if you kill your brother’s bond.”

“So, you’re saying it has to be me?” Mae asked in a brittle voice.

“Yes.” Mrs. Son-Ha rose with some difficulty and pressed a hand on Mae’s shoulder. “This is also your duty as the Witch Queen.”

Her words haunted the silence between Mae and Nikolai during their drive back to Vlad’s apartment. Nikolai’s fingers clenched on the steering wheel as he replayed their final conversation with Bryony.

“I want you to examine one of the bodies we found,” the witch had asked Mae. “You’re the only one who can confirm whether your theory is correct.”

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