Page 87 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Five

How long will this illusion last? Is it already starting to break and she’s scanning my face, seeing the shimmer of magic, the hint of my real features shining beneath?

Oh gods.

Hold it together, Jessie!

“Very well,” she finally says and turns to the door. “Wait here. The queen will be right with you.”

As I wait to be greeted by the queen, I clasp my hands behind my back and try to look bored, not anxious.

The seconds tick by. The urgency to get this over before the magic wanes builds anticipation in my gut.

I clamp my mouth shut to drive off the nausea. It doesn’t work.

The group of fae playing dice at the round table behind me finishes their game and leaves.

The other smaller group whispers to one another, then shoves aside their empty plates and disappears through an unmarked side door.

Now I’m all alone in the room.

I guess that’s a good thing because I can let out a breath, suck in another and wait without scrutiny.

I pace.

There are several round tables in the room with bookshelves lining one wall and a giant woven tapestry on the other.

The tapestry depicts a war scene. The art is detailed and intricate and as I scan its breadth, I realize it must be the Autumn Revolt. On the one side, the fae are wearing blue and silver blue with snowflakes embroidered around them. On the other, at the forefront, is the Summer Court surrounded by green vines and vibrant flowers. They’re shown as the saviors, helping the Autumn Court at the last second when it looks like all is lost.

Would Lethea see it that way?

From the other side of the closed door, I hear a thump, then a grunt.

My instincts raise the hair along the nape of my neck.

Something is amiss.

I take a few tentative steps toward the closed door keeping my breathing shallow so I can hear what’s going on, on the other side.

I’m just about to put my ear to the door when it’s yanked open and Sam appears.

“Sam?” I whisper and then check over my shoulder to make sure no one has arrived. “What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to come all the way to the palace!”

She takes me by the arm and yanks me inside, shutting the door behind us.

“Doing my part,” she answers and nods at a figure kneeling on the floor.

It’s the Summer Queen. And she’s tied up, mouth gagged.

Sam smiles at me.

“How did you…”

“Time for details later!” Her eyes are big and bright, her hair a little mussed. “Kill her now and then let’s party!”

I frown at Sam. “This wasn’t the plan!”

“Who cares about plans? Here is your enemy, bound and gagged.”

The Summer Queen shakes her head and tries to talk around the cloth shoved in her mouth. Only grunts make their way out.