Page 74 of Cherish

We spend the next hour and a half trying to figure out the best way to get to the Shadow Queen. Apparently, there have been several assassination attempts on the Shadow Queen since Hudson’s last battle with her in Adarie.

“There’s a growing faction that believes killing the queen will protect Noromar from her attempts to free us,” Arnst explains.

I gasp. “Why in the world would they think that?”

Arnst’s eyebrows shoot up like the answer is obvious. “Because Hudson told us she was trying to reverse the curse that created the Shadow Realm.”

Well, I guess technically thatistrue… “Do you and Maroly not want to leave this prison realm?” I ask.

“Oh no, dear,” Maroly says, getting up to bring a pitcher of water to the table and refill the vampires’ glasses. She turns to Arnst and smiles. “Why would we want to leave any place that brings us such happiness?”

“Because it’s aprison?” Heather insists. She pushes her plate away, her food long forgotten.

“It’s only a prison if you want to leave,” Arnst says. “For some of us, it’s home.”

“And it’s a wonderful home,” Hudson insists. “But do you know how we might find the queen anyway?”

“She’s gone into hiding at one of her fortresses throughout Noromar.” Arnst rubs his stomach, pushing his own plate forward. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea how to find out which one.”

All of our shoulders sag in unison, Mekhi on all of our minds. How are we going to save him if we can’t find the queen?

“Nyaz might know,” Maroly offers.

“Who is that?” Macy asks.

“An innkeeper in a town Hudson and—” I stop myself just in time and instead say, “Smokey stayed in.”

“You know, Starfallisthis week,” Maroly says, changing the subject. “Are you going to perform again, Hudson?”

“Oh, I have to hear this,” Jaxon drawls. “What kind ofperformancedid Hudson put on last time, Maroly?”

Jaxon’s sarcasm goes right over Maroly’s head. “Unfortunately, I missed it, but I hear there are fan clubs ever since he—”

Arnst interrupts his wife, shouting, “They’re back!” out of the blue before pushing away from the table and racing out of the dining room at top speed.

“Who’s back?” I stare after him blankly.

“And does he need help with them?” Hudson stands up and heads toward the front door after Arnst.

“See?” Maroly says to no one in particular. “He’s such a hero.”

Even I have to roll my eyes at that. “Where’s Arnst going, Maroly?” I ask as we follow Hudson toward the front.

We get there just in time to see Arnst grab a giant shovel off the porch and race down the shrub-lined path that leads from the front door to Maroly’s garden, Hudson hot on his heels.

Seconds later, there are shouts, followed by several people running toward the edge of the farm.

“And don’t come back here!” Arnst yells after them. “Or next time you’ll meet the business end of my shovel!”

“These people are becoming bigger and bigger problems,” Maroly says with a shake of her head.

“What people?” I ask, because the last time we stayed here, we never saw another soul. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t suddenly terrified that a hunter had followed us to the Shadow Realm.

“Dirt thieves,” Arnst spits out as he climbs back onto the porch and drops his shovel in the corner.

Hudson, who came back with him, and I exchange mystified looks.

“I’m sorry, Arnst. Did you say dirt thieves?” he asks.

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