“And you think I can?”
“You must. It’s the only way we can convince the Nightingales to reopen the portals and bring their magic back.”
“But you had the Accords in place already and that didn’t work.”
She runs a hand through her white-blond hair. “Maybe because neither my people nor Raphael’s really took it to heart.”
“Nothing has changed as far as I’m aware.”
“The regular vampire who came with you. He’s one of King Raphael’s followers, and he’s special to you, isn’t he?”
My spine goes taut. How does she know what Vaughn means to me?
“He’s a friend.”
“He’s more than a friend. I can smell him all over you.” Her eyes flash crimson, making me leery. I step back.
“You fucked him at the first opportunity, didn’t you, you stupid whore!”
“Sophie—” Enya starts to warn me, but it’s too late.
Queen Tatiana moves her arm, hitting my face so hard that she sends me flying back. I crash against the furniture, and white-hot pain flares up my back. I’m stunned, but I manage to lean on my elbows and see her striding my way with intent to kill. I don’t think I can jump to my feet fast enough to avoid her killing blow.
The door to the room flies open, and Derek and Vaughn burst in. Queen Tatiana stops in her tracks, switching her attention to them.
“Sophie!” Vaughn runs to me.
“You can’t be here. She’s going to kill you,” I say.
“You’re not yourself, my queen.” Enya steps between my mother and me.
“How dare you betray me like that?” Queen Tatiana advances toward her familiar with clawed hands ready to strike.
Derek steps in the way and throws a liquid at her face, making her shriek and retreat. What the hell was that?
He glances at us. “Get out of here! Now!”
Vaughn helps me to my feet, and we run to the door. Derek and Enya follow us out, and Enya locks the door behind us. A second later, Queen Tatiana bangs against it, saying the vilest things.
Derek looks at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll live.” I touch the blood dripping from my nose. Most likely, it’s broken.
He glares at Enya. “You said you could protect Sophie.”
“The change happened quickly.”
“You’re bleeding, Soph.” Vaughn wipes the blood under my nose with his thumb.
“Yeah, she caught me by surprise. It’s not that bad.”
“Did she at least tell you what she wanted before she turned on you?” Derek asks.
I nod. “She wants me to end the war.”
“End the war how?” Vaughn asks.
“I’m not sure. She didn’t get to explain it before she turned psycho on me.”
