Page 7

“Where are we headed now?” I asked, slightly disappointed we wouldn’t be seeing more of the village shops. We did have a murder to solve.

“There are only two sect liaisons you haven’t yet met,” Julian said, reminding me of his theory about the mole being one of them.

“Obviously, it’s not Sam or Hazel,” I mused. “They helped save the babies, and Sam was angry as hell about it.”

“I would not discount any suspects as of yet. The murder certainly bears the mark of a were, and I noticed he didn’t mention that. You’d think that would be concerning to him as well.” Julian turned onto a thin, dust-covered road that appeared to wind through the trees.

“I hadn’t thought of that,” I admitted.

“And I don’t discount Hazel, either. I respect your family, but witches in general tend to have both literal and proverbial skeletons in their closets. Magic always carries a price.” The last words out of Julian’s mouth were weighted with the kind of sadness that spoke of personal experience, and I wondered what had happened to him.

The road turned completely to dirt at some point, and the car, not made for off-roading, bumped along as far it could before Julian had to pull off and park. When we stepped outside, the canopy of leaves was so thick I could barely tell it was daytime, save for the trickles of gauzy light peering through from above. The scent of greenery and moist soil permeated the air, as did the sound of chirping birds and rustling wind. It felt as though we were completely separate from the rest of the world.

“It’s a good thing I trust you,” I said. “Or I’d think you brought me here to murder me.”

Julian did not laugh, he simply offered his hand, which I took. What type of sect leader would we find out here? Sam? Not unless he was in wolf form, and it was still days away from a full moon. My unspoken question was answered when Julian came to a stop outside of a small clearing marked by a circle of jagged stones.

My pulse immediately sped up. “That’s a fairy circle,” I stated unnecessarily.

“That would be where the queen holds court. Or rather, the Island entrance,” Julian clarified. “Have you ever visited the fae realm?”

“No.” I shook my head, transfixed by the way the air had stilled and the birds and other animals quieted unnaturally. “I’m not sure I want to, either. Are you saying the queen of the Seelie court is the liaison?”

“Yes. The fae don’t bother with elections. Her majesty has been, and will continue to be, the liaison to SHADE. I don’t much care to visit, either, Charlotte, and I will gladly go in alone. I did not want to upset you by trying to protect you again. It’s your choice, but she must be evaluated. If for some reason there’s fae involvement, it’s better we find out sooner rather than later.”

I took a steadying breath. “I’m the psychic. I should go, too. I might be able to read something.” I began walking toward the circle, but Julian tugged my hand, bringing me to a halt.

“Remember, do not, under any circumstances, accept food or drink. No names, only titles. And no bargaining.”

“Got it,” I agreed, then we stepped through together.

One moment we were looking on an empty circle of grass, and the next, we stood in what appeared to be the interior of a giant tree trunk, filled with twisted roots and soft spongy moss beneath our feet.

A throne carved from glittering crystal sat feet away with a woman perched on top. There was something ethereally beautiful about her with her statuesque body and flowing, silver hair. Her large eyes were completely black, no irises or pupils discernable within, but the moment I began to study them, a shadow dimmed my vision and the omniscient voice in my mind I’d dubbed Pythia whispered, look away.

I let my gaze slide downward to take in the gossamer gown draped over her curves. Immediately, my body responded. Though I’d never thought of myself as bisexual before, I suddenly reconsidered that assumption.

“Welcome,” she said, beckoning us forward with the wave of her hand.

Julian’s grip stopped me from stepping all the way up to the throne to touch her.

“May I introduce the doctor, our newest me—”

“Address me as Queen.” Her correction was spoken with a soft voice that somehow shook the very ground we stood on, making me stumble and grab onto Julian clumsily. Of course, he hadn’t so much as tottered, which made me feel like Alice at the mad tea party.

“Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty,” I said, which seemed to appease her as she leaned back against the throne.

“Finally, an inconsequential that knows how to properly address royalty,” she cooed, and I very nearly approached the throne again.

“My apologies, Queen. We have only a few meager questions and then we will depart,” Julian prompted, clearly anxious to get out of there.

“Perhaps. Don’t rush me, vampire.” The queen stood and floated toward me.

I quickly glanced away from her eyes and squinted. But instead of an aura, a second visage waivered into view, overlaying her with a creature that looked both identical and completely terrifying.

Limbs made of twigs and a sunken face surrounded hollow eyes like blackholes. She hissed, and a set of tiny, pointed teeth made me gasp in response.

“She’s a seer. You did not warn me.” The queen recoiled, fleeing back to her throne.