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Clara
“I need your help,”I say again.
“Mmm,” she hums, gaze narrowed. Her wrinkled skin nearly swallows up her eyes. “I can see that. No one seeks me out unless they are desperate with no other options.”
“No one?” I ask.
Ophelia chuckles. “The price of magic is steep, far more than any ordinary mortal can afford, and higher still than most vampires are willing to pay.” She scratches her dry cheek with cracked nails. “What could possibly be worth the payment for you?”
I swallow the lump of fear lodged in my throat. I still have nothing to offer. “I need to free someone from the queen’s compulsion.”
Her eyes glitter with curiosity. That has to be a good sign.
“Who exactly needs to be rescued from her clutches?” she asks greedily.
Inhaling deeply, I say, “The crown prince.”
The oracle throws her head back and laughs. “Why would a human try to save the prince of vampires from his fate?”
I fight back the surge of panic threatening to take over and lift my chin in determination. “No one deserves to be trapped that way. I—” I stop myself from saying too much. “I was told you could help.”
Her lips press into a tight line. “Who would know to send you to me?”
“It isn’t important,” I say. She knows what I want. That’s all that matters.
A wrinkled hand shoots out and tangles in my hair, dragging my head down with a painful tug until the scent of mint leaves fills the space between us.
“Who sent you?” she half-growls, twisting harder until my neck is at a painful angle and I think she might rip a fistful of strands out by the root.
“Varin… Varin sent me.” The words come out breathy and strained.
Ophelia releases me. I stumble, catching myself on the iron stove.
“A human traveling with vampires who would rescue their prince and consorts with powerful demons. That is an unlikely combination I did not see coming.” She talks quietly, more to herself than to me. Her pale eyes dart back and forth as if calculating things I can’t even begin to guess at. Finally, she heaves a sigh and says, “There is nothing I can do for you. You’ve wasted your time.”
Ice fills my veins. Varin sent me to her and all for nothing. “Why?” I demand.
She scoffs. “You expect a lot, child. For me to act against the queen is no small thing—and all for no payment.”
“Anything,” I say hastily. “Name your price, and I will gladly pay it.”
White brows arch high on her forehead almost touching her hairline. “Anything?”
Words stick in my dry throat, so I nod.
“That is a dangerous thing to offer,” she warns.
Cassius said as much.
“I don’t care.”
“You may not like the price. I could ask for your sight, your mindless obedience, or the next fifty years of your life. Breaking a compulsion is a fairly simple spell but it takes a considerable amount of magic that is worth more than you can afford.”
“Whatever you want, I will find a way to get it,” I say bolder than I feel. “Alaric is worth it.”
“Very well.” Ophelia turns her back on me and searches through a cupboard. She grabs a small pouch and three jars of various sizes, dropping them inside with a clink. “You must gather four items. The bud of a night bloom. It’s poisonous so take care not to touch it. One touch will paralyze you as its toxin enters your blood, liquefying you from inside. You will feel every agonizing second of it.” Shoving the bag into my hands she continues, “The tooth of a saaer.”
“Saaer?” I frown. “You mean those swamp fox creatures?”
