A tear slides down my cheek as I think about my sister’s final moments. I was there.
“I saw her jump,” I whisper. “There was no one else there besides us.”
Law grabs my hands in his. “There had to be. I’m telling you, Marina. She wouldn’t have put you through this without a very good reason. She wouldn’t have done this to me either.”
My mind is going a mile a minute. Was someone else there and I missed them? Could Law be wrong, and she just chose to jump? So many questions still unanswered and I can hardly take it. There is one person who could fill in the blanks and she’s dead.
“Law, can Madam Shante summon the dead?”
Chapter Three
Three days have passed and there hasn’t been a single word from Julian. Law has assured me he’s been held up in Seattle, dealing with some crisis with the new bites, but I can’t help but feel a bit deserted. My friend died. I passed out and got a concussion and yet, he hasn’t so much as called to check on me.
He’s the king of vampires.
I audibly groan at the sense my subconscious makes sometimes. As much as I want to be angry that he isn’t here, I know it’s immature. I’m not in love with a regular twenty-something, who has a normal job. I have to do better at remembering what I’m signing up for.
Can you handle it?
“Go to hell.”
“Me?” Law asks, as he walks through my door completely unannounced.
It’s been this way the past few days. He’s been the equivalent of a mother hen, always around. I appreciate everything he’s done, but I can’t help but wonder if his assistance might be needed elsewhere. If there’s such a huge issue going on in Seattle, why is Law here?
“I was talking to my subconscious,” I admit when Law continues to stare at me, waiting for an answer.
His brows rise and he sucks in his cheeks. “Well then. Sounds like you two have an abusive relationship.”
“She’s a real drag at times.”
He smiles. “What’s this internal struggle you’re having? Can I help?”
“Not unless you understand unnecessary girl angst.”
“I’m out,” he says, before turning his back and heading toward the door, laughing.
“Chicken,” I call to his back, and he turns around, smiling wide.
He comes and sits in the chair next to my bed. “Seriously, what’s troubling you?”
I consider what to tell him. I know I’m being a bit crazy and I’m not sure I want to admit that out loud. Law is the only person, aside from Julian, who could maybe give me some insight into the life of a royal.
“I’m struggling with the fact that Julian isn’t here after everything we all went through at your party. I need him, Law. Even though I know it’s wrong to think he can prioritize us.”
He whistles.
“Didn’t realize what mine field you were stepping into?”
“Nope.” He pops the p for emphasis. “But I want to help. I’m sure it’s not easy for you to understand. The responsibilities of being Julian are more than I can comprehend,” he admits. “We’re on the verge of war and if not for the . . . complications in Seattle, he’d be here.”
“I get that—”
“No, you don’t,” he says, sounding more sad than stern. “What he’s dealing with, he’s dealing with for you,” he stresses, and I narrow my eyes in confusion.
“For me?” I ask, bringing my hand to my chest.
“I can’t say any more, Marina. It’s not for me to tell. He’ll fill you in when he gets here. For now, we’re lying low so that you can get stronger.”
I hate the half answers and unanswered questions. Why say anything if you can’t say it all? It only makes me angrier.
“If his absence is all for me, why not call? Why the radio silence?” I snap.
Law breathes in deeply, probably reining in his own frustration. When he expels the air, he answers. “He doesn’t know if he’s being followed. He’s being cautious because he doesn’t want to give anything away about his plans.”
“What about us?” I cry out. “We’re sitting ducks in the middle of nowhere.”
“We’re safe here. Nobody can get to us.”
“How are you so sure?” I bark.
“Because I put a barrier around this cabin and I’m that good,” a voice says from the doorway, and my head snaps toward it.
“Madame Shante,” I say, excited to see her, but caught off guard by her sudden arrival. Her bright blue eyes stand out against umber skin, making her look more like a model than a witch. She wears a multicolored wrap on top of her head and a black dress that falls to the floor. She’s beautiful. But it’s not her looks alone that command the room. Energy circulates, causing the hair on my arms and neck to stand on end. My focus goes in and out and I could swear orbs encircle her. I shake my head, trying hard to get my eyes to focus.
She bows slightly, walking further into the room. “Let me look you over,” she says, smiling down at me. “You were in a bad way for a while. Do you remember anything?”
“Not much,” I reply.
“Hmmm,” she murmurs.
I allow her to poke and prod until she’s content with my physical state.
“Very good. You’ve healed well,” she compliments me. “Now. Why have I been summoned back here?” She directs this to Law.
“Marina has some questions for her sister Maggie.”
“And I’m to help how?” she questions.
“She’s dead,” I offer, not missing how Law winces at my response. “Can you call to her?”
She purses her lips. “She was your twin, no?”
I nod my head.
“Have you tried to call on her yourself?” Shante asks.
“I’ve had conversations with her, but she always initiates them. I haven’t been able to control when I hear her. Or see her.”
“Hmmm,” she murmurs again. “You’ve seen her?”
“Yes,” I nod. “The night of Law’s party. I followed her.”
“She was there? Interesting.”
“She spoke to me,” I say, trying desperately to recall more. “Oh . . . I remember, she covered my mouth.”
“You felt her touch?” Shante asks.
That’s the thing. I remember feeling . . . something, but there was something off about her.
“I felt something, but it wasn’t exactly solid,” I try to explain, but based on Shante’s furrowed brows, I’m not making sense.
“Come. Let’s move to the other room,” Shante suggests.
I look to Lawrence. “Am I finally able to leave this bed?”
He chuckles. “If Shante gave you the okay, who am I to disagree? I’m here to babysit.”
My lip curls before I take it a step further into immaturity by sticking my tongue out at him.
“Well then, do your job and help the girl out of bed,” Shante commands, rolling her eyes at us. “She’s sure to be weak if she hasn’t left the bed all this time.”