Except for Valdov.
He appeared more like the former chancellor of a boarding school, curved nose, sharp features, late forties. He held an air of superiority, like the kind of teacher who would’ve enjoyed rapping a metal ruler over your knuckles just to see you squirm.
I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t believe Eamon worked alone. He wasn’t smart or powerful enough to keep a secret relationship with Selene going by himself. Not one where they shared information on a regular basis. He had to have help.”
“What you say is false,” Valdov replied briskly. “Eamon was faithful to this court. If he was a spy, I would’ve known in an instant. His sister is the wily one. If there is something amiss, a leak in our ranks, it is she who is responsible and I will see she dies a wretched death for it.”
Before he could mask it—at the very center of his eye—a tiny flare of silver ignited. It was almost undetectable. If I hadn’t been staring right at him, I would’ve missed it.
The Queen waved her arm before I could respond. “It doesn’t matter what you think, Little Wolf Girl. We will not deal any longer.” The Queen huffed. “I offer you nothing and I pick no sides. But you may be thankful I am allowing you to walk out of my door unscathed. I do not care if the sorcerers harvest your body parts on their altar and wash themselves in your blood. I want you out of my sight. Your chaos will not touch us any longer.”
Valdov’s lips formed a cruel grin. He clearly enjoyed his Queen’s order to kick us out.
But I wasn’t leaving.
I’d just figured out something vital. “You might want to hear what I have to say before you send us away,” I said, and without waiting for her consent, I asked, “Was Valdov your schoolroom teacher?” It was clear Eudoxia had been turned into a vampire at a very young age, and her real father had been mad. It made sense she would’ve turned the only father figure she’d ever had into a vampire. At her confused expression I added, “You know, did you change him because you were scared and sought his guidance?”
“What?” she responded, obviously taken off guard.
“You heard me,” I persisted, taking a bold step forward, ignoring her building wrath. “Your father was Ivan the Terrible. You were born in Russia. I catch your accent, even though it’s clear you’ve spoken French for a very long time. I’ve heard the rumors of your lineage. You come from royalty, and with peerage comes private tutors.” She peered at me, her gaze becoming steely. “I’ll ask it again. Was Valdov your schoolroom teacher?”
“I owe you no answers, and you will get none from me.” She crossed her arms, folds of red material cascading down the front of her body in silky waves. Her impatience had reached its peak with me, and I was running out of time. Her eyes flickered between gray and jet black. She was unsettled. Just enough for me to know the truth. “My heritage is of no concern of yours. I want you out of my—”
I turned like a shot, switching control to my wolf as my fist smashed into Valdov’s face as he stood sneering next to me. His body rocketed into the wall because it was so light, exploding the plaster, sending pictures flying in every direction.
I growled, turning my focus back to a livid Queen, her irises a kaleidoscope of silver. “I think it’s time you hired some new advisors,” I said. “It seems this one isn’t working out so well for you after all.”
14
The Queen’s shriek rocked the foundation and vamps came running from every direction. They filled the stairway and hallways, most appearing to be fresh from sleep.
Eudoxia flew forward, coming to a halt inches from me. Her eyes were fully black, her fangs as sharp as I’d ever seen them. Her power struck me hard, but I was ready. My wolf had infused us with adrenaline, fortifying us in a cloak of our own power. The golden strands, my magic signature, coated me, providing a solid barrier against Eudoxia’s magic as it tried to needle its way in.
We kept her out for now.
I ran the back of my hand over my mouth, anchoring myself.
“You will answer for that.” The Queen hissed. “I will happily skewer you to the wall and lap up your blood as it drains from your body.” White light shot out of her hands, hitting me fully in the chest, as it had once before.