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“Ready?” I frown. “Ready for what?”
Instead of answering, she stands, then with a pointed look, the woman dips her head and hurries away, plunking the tray down where she picked it up a moment before. Then she’s dashing out through the back as if a harmony of demons were on her tail.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CLARA
A teapotwith gilded roses on twisted vines with a matching cup are set out on a side table, waiting for me when I return to Cassius’s rooms. I boil the water, then add a few spoonfuls of dried tea leaves and let it steep. As it does, it releases a beautiful, soothing fragrance.
Desperate for the warmth, I down the first cup in three gulps, nearly scalding my tongue. The second cup, I take my time and sip slowly. The scent of jasmine and rose is delicate and light.
I still prefer not to add anything to my teas. I find sugar is far too sweet, and milk overwhelms the beautiful subtle details of the flavor. This blend is far better than the nettle and dandelion mixtures I used to make for Kitty and me. They were always bitter with the extras I added to make it stretch and last longer.
With my nerves settled, I make myself comfortable on the chaise. After spending several hours training on my own in the old armory, my muscles are a little sore.
Though I’d initially intended on visiting Varin, but the sound of guards put an end to that plan. I’d waited, listening for them to leave for almost an hour before giving up. Much to my annoyance, it seemed they fully intended to make the most of that portion of their rounds.
Asmod and Cherno make themselves comfortable with me as their personal pillow. I wonder if all vampires put up with overly affectionate demons or if I’m just lucky. I flick a glance toward them and find I don’t mind all that much. Asmod coils a little tighter around my arm.
Stretched out, I turn my head to watch the clock. Each minute passes achingly slow. I have no idea when Cassius will return, but with the night half over, I’m counting on Lawrence to show up for our promised discussion any moment now.
No matter how many times I go over the encounter with that odd serving girl and her odd warning. I can’t figure out what she meant by it. Normally, I would brush it off as something as simple as a mistaken identity—except she knew my name.
Could she have been alerting me that Elizabeth found a way around whatever has prevented her from killing me so far?
The crackling fire is hypnotizing, and strangely enough, the rhythmic breathing of the two demons is relaxing. Soon, I’m able to put everything from my mind until I can go over it all with my friends. I watch the dancing flames gradually consume the wood logs, my eyes growing heavier and taking longer to open with every blink.
Something startles me. A noise, I think.
I sit bolt upright and glance around. The two demons tumble onto my lap. The fire in the hearth burns low, and according to the clock, I slept through the remainder of the night. A jacket that wasn’t there before is slung over a nearby chair, and the tea has been taken away.
Pressing a hand to my head, I shake off the lethargy muddling my thoughts. I must have been far more exhausted than I realized. Cassius was here. Why didn’t he wake me?
In the distance, beyond the doors, the muffled sound of marching echoing through the halls. Cherno meets my questioning gaze, then wordlessly takes to the air, disappearing through the door like a wisp of fog.
“Maybe you should go find Cassius,” I say to the demon snake in a low whisper. There’s not a logical reason to keep my voice down, but there’s been a shift in the mood that has penetrated every corner of Nightwich.
Asmod looks from me to the door a few times. They look worried… It’s a thought that strikes me as odd, given that… I don’t think snakes have facial expressions. I suppose it’s possible demon snakes may be different. I nod reassuringly, and they, too, disappear through the closed door.
The shouting fades.
A moment later, Cherno returns.
“The castle is under siege,” they say, winging their way over to me.
Who would dare attack? Though, a better question might be,whowould have the force and ability to?
I snatch them from the air and run into the bedroom, throwing the curtains wide. The sun has crested over the horizon, bathing the world in washed-out blues and watery grays.
Besides small clusters of guards jogging through the open courtyard, the castle grounds are the same as they always are. I glance at Cherno.
“I overheard the queen’s general telling her,” they say quietly. They shift in my cupped hands and peer up at me. “They would not have made the report if it wasn’t happening.”
“You’re right.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, considering. Finally, I decide to see what I can learn. Elizabeth is the last one I would ever worry about, but there are others in this place I care for and do not want to see hurt.
I set the demon down and hurriedly change into something that will draw less attention. Stopping before the door to the hall, I motion for Cherno to stay here.
“It might be dangerous,” they warn.
