Page 18 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

18

LUKA

When we originally discussed Luciana transporting us all to the Mystic Court, it sounded like a great idea. But now, standing back in Lennox’s room as she explained to us how this would work— should work—I was having second thoughts. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of traveling between time and space like a speck of dust as my body morphed to accommodate the magic.

“I don’t think we should do this,” Declan brought my thoughts to life.

“No one is making you come with, birdy, I’ve been practicing this magic for a long time—and I’m good at it. Really fucking good at it. Ichor Magic might be forbidden, but it’s not an easy magic to harness. I’ve been doing it with ease for years.” Luce looked between us all before landing back at Declan. “So either get on board or leave.” She raised a singular dark brow at the harpy.

Declan’s wings rustled behind, he crossed his arms but remained silent.

“C’mon, Declan, it will be fine.” Kara nudged him slightly with her elbow. All he offered was a grunt in return.

“Whoever is going to come with, join hands,” Luciana directed .

I grabbed Lennox’s hand and reached for Nico’s with the other. Declan begrudgingly stepped into our circle, grasping Kara’s outstretched hand.

Luce completed the circle before closing her eyes and chanting the spell.

Slowly the world shifted around us. The room blurred out of existence until there was nothing but darkness. Darkness so dark I couldn’t see anything. My mind felt disconnected from the rest of my body as I tried to ground myself in this space in between.

I squeezed the hand in mine, wondering if I could still feel Lennox. If she could feel me.

Her squeeze in response grounded me, I wasn’t floating about. Lennox was still here. We were both still here.

Wherever here was.

Slowly, the world reformed around us. The light filtered back in as the world became corporal again, revealing a familiar grove where Hecate’s cottage sat, the same as it was before.

I looked over at Lennox, who stared at the depleted cottage.

“I never thought we’d be back here,” she muttered.

“Me either.” I was still holding her hand in mine, I gave it a reassuring squeeze before letting it go.

“So this is Hecate’s cottage?” Kara confirmed.

“I expected more from the original witch.” Luce elbowed Declan and the harpy hissed in response.

“Watch your words, this is the first witch you’re talking about,” she scolded.

“She has a point Dec, I’ve met her, and she’s not someone you want to anger.”

“I still can’t believe you got to meet her. The vampire prince has met the original witch and yet, I, heir to the witch throne, haven’t.” Luciana crossed her arms over her chest as we all continued to stare at the cottage.

“Well that’s about to change isn’t it.” The excitement in Kara’s tone was evident .

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Lennox said. “Let’s go inside.”

We all followed behind Lennox as she approached the house. The outside looked the same, but something was off. Something felt different than before.

I stood beside Lennox as she knocked on the door. “Hecate?” She asked hesitantly. We all waited, my heart thudding rapidly in my chest.

Not a sound came from within the cabin.

Lennox knocked again, calling out for the original witch once more.

“Should we go in?” Nico asked.

Lennox shrugged. “I guess. But I don’t think she’s here.”

“Hecate?” She pushed the door open. We filed into the cottage behind Lennox, quickly filling the space, the abundance of us making the cabin appear tiny.

“She’s not here.” Frustration quickly built inside me. “We came all the way here and she’s not even fucking here.” I slid one of the worn wooden chairs out from under the table and collapsed into it.

“Maybe the journals are here somewhere, that’s why we were led here,” Kara offered.

“I doubt it.” The defeat was clear in Lennox’s voice.

“Hecate hasn’t been living here, I doubt she’d leave the journals here for anyone to find if people across Lethenia are searching for them,” I added.

We were fucked.

Again.

“Hecate doesn’t have the journals anyways.” Lennox ran her hand over the shelf lined with relics, her fingers dusting over the glass jars.

When she came to the end of the row she turned and headed back out the open door without another word.

I followed Lennox to the porch and sat next to her on the sagging front step. “You knew she didn’t have them? And she wouldn’t be here?”

“I had a hunch.” She looked out into the woods before us, to the same woods we had crossed through together this summer, only a few months ago. “She knows we’re here. She’ll come.”

“Are you planning on staying here until she does?”

She took a dried leaf in her hand and crushed it, letting the pieces drift from her palm on the light breeze. “I guess I didn’t think that far ahead. I thought she’d be here soon after we arrived, like she’d know I was here or something. But maybe I’m wrong.”

“She’ll come,” I assured her.

“The boy has faith—now that is unexpected.” We both jumped at the sound of the familiar voice behind us, looking over our shoulders to find Hecate and two of her Wampus Cats approaching from the forest.

I shuttered as I took in the two beasts—hoping and praying they wouldn’t come any closer.

“Don’t worry boy, they’ll behave this time.” I had a hard time believing she had that much control over those creatures.

“I knew you two would be back—But I didn’t anticipate it would be so soon.” Her red eyes roamed between the two of us before looking behind her into the cabin. “And you brought friends.”

“We did, I hope that’s okay,”

“Depends.”

“On what?” I asked.

The witch ignored my question and ushered us into the cabin instead. “Let’s meet them, shall we?”

Luciana’s gasp rang throughout the room as we reentered the cabin.

“You’re Hecate,” she stammered.

Hecate smiled. “The witch heir—I was wondering if I’d ever get to meet you.” Her gaze scanned the room. “And the Star Princess.” Her gaze continued around the small room .

“Quite the interesting group you two have gathered here.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.” Luciana was unable to hide the awe from her voice.

“And you, Luciana.” Hecate nodded her head toward the witch. “My magic suits you. My book is well used in your hands.” A half smile curved on Hecate’s lips.

“You know I have your book?”

“Of course, I don’t let my spellbook land in anyone’s hands.” Luciana’s mouth formed a perfect o .

“But be careful, Ichor Magic has a price,” Hecate warned.

Luciana sobered. “I know.”

Hecate only dipped her chin in acknowledgment. “Well, should we get on with it? Why are you all here?”

“We’re still looking for the journals.” Lennox wasted no time.

“I should have known you wouldn’t give up on those damned books.” She shook her head. “I don’t have them.”

“I know,” Lennox continued. “But you have the information we need.”

“Is that all I’m good for? Information?”

“That is why you were sent back is it not?” Lennox braced her hands on her hips as she faced off against the original witch.

“Cunning girl.” Hecate smiled wickedly. “What is it you want to know?”

“Where can we find the journals?” I pressed.

“I cannot tell you where the journals are.”

“What—”

“ Patience . But I can direct you to who can.” She looked between Lennox, Luce, and Kara. “Your family has been looking for these journals for a long time.”

“What?”

“It is my belief your father and brother died protecting their location.”

“You can’t be serious.” Kara’s mouth fell open.

Hecate turned her attention toward Kara. “I can’t confirm if that is why they were killed. Just as I can’t see if the Vanir are connected to the journals, but your brother and father knew about the journals.”

“Okay, but what good does that do us? They’re dead. We can’t exactly ask them where the journals are.” Lennox pressed.

“Right, but they were not working alone.” Her red eyes fixed on Luciana. “Your mother was working with them.”

“My mother? That can’t be right.”

“Why don’t you go ask her yourself?” Hecate raised a dark brow.

“I can’t. She’d never reveal that to me.”

“But she might to me.” Lennox looked over at her cousin, the two sharing a look before Hecate spoke again.

“Looks like you’re in for a family reunion,” Hecate crooned.

“Alright, let’s go. Luce, bring us to your mother.”

“Wait, now?” Luciana stammered. “You want to go see my mother now?”

Lennox shrugged. “I can’t see a reason to wait.”

“We’re standing here with the original witch, my mother can wait.”

“If you are no longer in need of me, I’ll see myself out.” With the wave of her finger Hecate was gone. Lennox didn’t bat an eye, continuing to meet Luciana’s gaze as Nico’s mouth fell open.

“Did you guys not see that?” Nico looked between us, eyes wide.

Lennox waved a hand. “She does that. Now there’s nothing standing in our way, let’s go see Caterina.”

“People will be looking for us soon, Lennox. We can’t disappear without explanation,” I countered.

She drew her bottom lip between her teeth as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Besides, you two have a ball to attend tomorrow,” Nico added .

“A ball?” Lennox narrowed her eyes in my direction. “What ball?”

Fuck, I had forgotten about the star’s damned ball. “Krissa didn’t tell you? We were invited to a ball by one of the dukes who takes up residence in Cel Nox. We need to make an appearance for at least a little while or it will seem suspicious. You know as well as I do, Lennox, we have to make our engagement believable, even if we are trying to find a way out of it.”

She sighed. “Fine. But the night after we’re going to see my aunt.” I dipped my chin in agreement.

“What if I see if I can get any information out of her tomorrow?” Luciana suggested. “She might not be willing to give anything up to me, but if I mention you, she might give me something. If she doesn’t, you come the next day and we can approach her together.”

“Okay, I like that.” Lennox's face softened as she looked at Luciana, her brows drawing together. “You‘re sure it’s okay to travel this much?”

Luciana waved her hand dismissively. “It will be fine. I’m not worried.”

“I’ll come with you.” We all looked at the wolf.

“What do you mean you’ll go with her?” Declan and I asked in unison.

“We can say I arrived as a messenger from Lennox.”

“I wouldn’t have to tell my mother I’ve been using Ichor Magic if Nico came with me.” Luce and Nico shared a look. “You’re not as dumb as you look, pup.”

He winked at her. “I’m more than just a pretty face, Lucy.”