Page 4 of Heir of Shadows

“All of the above.” Ms. Parker’s compass pulsed faster. “And right now, you’re also a beacon for every vampire in the state. Pack quickly. I’ve called for a Guard detail to protect your mother, but you need to be behind Wickem’s wards before more hunting parties arrive.”

Mom followed me to my room, her movements jerky with shock. I pulled out my battered suitcase while Ms. Parker stood guard at my bedroom door, that strange compass still pulsing ominously.

“Magic,” Mom whispered, picking up a shirt with shaking hands. “All those weird things over the years… the dead cat that kept showing up in your room…”

I swallowed hard, grabbing clothes at random. “I thought I was crazy.”

“Three minutes,” Ms. Parker called. “More vampires entering the city limits.”

My hands trembled as I shoved things into the suitcase. What do you pack when your whole world turns upside down? When you find out you’re not just a maid’s daughter but some kind of magical princess with monsters hunting you?

“The scholarship letter,” Mom said suddenly. She rushed to the kitchen, moving faster than her bad back should allow. I heard drawers banging open, papers rustling.

“Ms. Brook—” Ms. Parker started.

“Here!” Mom returned with the cream-colored envelope, now crumpled from her grip. “It wasn’t just a scholarship, was it? ‘Legacy admission’—that’s what you people called it?”

Ms. Parker nodded. “The wellspring itself sent the invitation.”

“The what?” I asked, struggling to zip my overstuffed suitcase.

“A source of magical power. One that recognized your bloodline.” She checked the compass again. “One that can protect you, if we get there in time.”

Mom tucked the admission letter in the pocket of my suitcase. Then she pressed her last twenty-dollar bill into my hand.

I tried to give it back but she closed my fingers around it.

“For emergencies,” she whispered, pulling me into a fierce hug. Her voice cracked. “I’m so sorry, baby. I should have… if I’d known what your father really was…”

“Don’t.” I hugged her tighter. “You couldn’t have known. I couldn’t have known.”

A thud from outside made us all jump. Ms. Parker’s compass flared bright red.

“Time to go.” Ms. Parker grabbed my arm but I pulled away.

“I can’t just leave her!” I looked at Mom, thinking of how vulnerable she was with her bad back. “What if more of those things come?”

“Marigold—” Ms. Parker started.

“No.” I moved to stand between Mom and the portal. “Send your Guard people now. I’m not leaving until they’re here to protect her.”

Mom touched my arm. “Baby, you’re in danger—”

“We’ve always protected each other,” I said fiercely. “That’s how we survived. I’m not running away while you’re not safe.”

Another thud outside. Closer. The ring around my neck felt like ice.

“The Guard is three minutes out,” Ms. Parker said, checking her compass. “The vampires are less than one minute away.”

“Then we fight.” My voice shook but I stood my ground. “Or we all go through that portal thing together. I’m not leaving her.”

Mom’s arms went around me. “My brave girl. But she’s right—you need to go where it’s safe. Where you can learn to control this… magic.” Her voice caught on the word. “I’ll be fine...” she looked at Ms. Parker.

“As long as you stay inside,” she confirmed. “They can’t cross the threshold.”

Mom nodded tightly. “I’ll be okay. I’ve survived worse than monsters, remember?”

“Mom…”

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