Page 68 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

68

LUKA

Lennox slept through the night. I guessed it was the most sleep she’d gotten in a long time. I was expecting her to have a nightmare or two, but she never stirred. She was exhausted—too exhausted to dream even.

Me on the other hand—I felt like I hardly slept. I was too worried about Lennox.

Worried I would wake up to her gone, having gone for Kara on her own.

Every time I felt myself falling asleep, I jerked myself awake, looking to find her still asleep beside me.

A little before sunrise she stirred awake. I sat as she blinked back the sleep from her eyes, holding my breath, waiting for her to remember what happened.

“Luka?” She mumbled as she stretched her arms over her head. “What happened?” Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall the events that led her here.

“Kara!” She gasped, sitting up abruptly and ripping back the sheets.

I laid a hand on her arm. “Lennox calm down.”

“Calm down?” Her nostrils flared. “My sister has been taken and you’re telling me to calm down? I—” I could see the panic starting to take over her features. “You let me sleep! I was sleeping while my sister is Goddess knows where…” Her breaths became short and uneven as she clawed at her chest.

“I—I?—”

I crossed the bed and grabbed her, pulling her against me as her panic consumed her body.

“I’m here. We will find her. Lennox, I promise you we will find her.”

I could feel her tears soaking into my shirt as sobs wracked her body.

“You let me sleep.” She pushed me away. “You let me sleep.” Her panic was turning into anger now, I could hear it in the roughness of her voice. “You let me fucking sleep!” She hit my chest, trying to push me away. “For fucks sake Luka! Why did you let me sleep.” She turned from me, her hands balling in and out of fists.

She was angry at me, I knew she would be, but I needed to get her to calm down.

“Lennox. I need you to breathe.”

“I can’t. I can’t. Kara’s gone and I?—”

I took her hands in mine, unballing them from fists and linking our fingers together.

“Breathe.” I stared at her as she refused to meet my gaze. “Lennox, I need you to breathe. I need to see your eyes, Sweetheart.”

She finally met my gaze, her emerald eyes were glassy as tears stained her cheeks. The sight caused a fissure through my heart.

“You passed out in Kara’s room. I knew you wouldn’t allow yourself to rest until we found her so I let you sleep.”

She looked away from me, shame written on her features.

“Lennox, I need you to look at me.” She took several deep breaths before looking at me again, fresh tears staining her cheeks. I wanted to wipe them away, but I needed to help her control her magic so I kept our hands intertwined and brought them to her face, wiping away her tears with the back of my hand.

“You passing out was your body’s reaction to needing rest after everything over the past few days. I knew you needed sleep so I let you sleep. Blame me all you want, but I’d do the same thing again.” She said nothing but continued to meet my gaze.

“I updated everyone on what happened. We all agreed we’d head out to the Galtains first thing this morning. Once you are calm enough we can get ready and go.”

I held her hands until finally, her breath evened out.

“Thank you,” she rasped. I finally let go of her hands, wiping another tear from her cheek before pulling her to me. “We’ll find her. I know we will.”

I hoped we would. Because if we couldn’t find Kara—I didn’t want to think about what that would do to Lennox.

I left Lennox to bathe alone; when she emerged from the bathing chamber the color was back in her face. Although I knew she was a wreck on the inside, I could tell she had pushed past the shock and sadness and had moved on to anger. Pure determination to get her sister back.

Vengeance was written on her features.

Everyone was already waiting for us when we arrived—almost a parallel to yesterday afternoon. Before we discovered Kara was missing. But the tone was much more somber today.

Had it only been days ago we had gathered here to celebrate Lennox’s and my wedding?

Lennox wasted no time before asking, “What’s the plan?”

“I was thinking you and I should head to the Blood Court and visit the Galtain family.” Lennox looked at me, surprise written on her features. “The three of you can wait here and get everything ready while we’re gone. We don’t know what we’re dealing with and we need to be prepared.” I looked at Declan and he nodded. “And Luciana, I’m assuming you can do a spell to locate Kara?” She nodded .

“I used a lot of magic last night, it’s still replenishing, but I can try to scry. I should be able to find her location easily.”

“Lennox?” I looked at her.

She swallowed. “It all sounds good. Thank you.” She took my hand and squeezed. “I do have one request.” We all looked at her expectantly. “I get to kill the fucker who dared to take my sister from me.”

Luciana transported us to the forest, depositing us in the clearing outside the Galtain family’s cabin, claiming she’d be back in an hour to get us.

“I need her to teach me how to do that,” Lennox mused as we trudged through the woods. I almost opened my mouth to disagree—to remind her of the potential effects of using Ichor Magic. But I had to admit, her being able to transport without Luciana would be convenient. And if Lennox set her mind to it, there would be no changing it.

“Maybe she could teach me too.”

Lennox threw me a look over her shoulder. “Worth a try don’t you think?”

“No harm in trying,” she admitted.

The cabin came into view as we continued through the snow. Our boots leaving tracks behind us. Smoke billowed from the chimney—hopefully, someone was home.

Although maybe it would have been easier if there was no one here. We could steal the journal without them knowing.

We each took in a deep breath before Lennox knocked on the door.

Silas’ surprise at us appearing at his door was evident, but he wasted no time in ushering us out of the cold.

Malina and Auden stood from where they sat by the fireplace to greet us. “Lennox, Luka, what do we owe the honor?” Malina asked.

“Shouldn’t you be celebrating your wedding?” Silas added.

“We’re not here on good terms I’m afraid,” I admitted

The family shared a look of worry. “Well, why don’t you take off your coats and sit here by the fire and warm up while you tell us why you’re here.”

We didn’t argue, quickly shucking off our coats before sitting by the fire.

“I’m going to get right to the point.” I braced my hands on my knees. “Lennox’s sister, Kara, was taken.” Lennox sucked in a breath from where she sat next to me.

Malina gasped. “I am so sorry my dear.” Her gaze softened as she assessed Lennox, surely now noticing the differences in her demeanor since the last time we were here.

“But why are you here?” Silas asked. “What does this have to do with us?”

Lennox’s voice was rough as she spoke, “Whoever took her left a note. They said if we wanted her back we needed to bring them the journal.”

The air in the room thickened to the point it was almost painful.

“I know how important the journal is to your family. But you have to understand, this is my sister at stake here.” Lennox’s hands trembled in her lap, I took one of them in my own as she continued, “Once we get her back I’ll find a way to get the journal back to you I promise.” I squeezed her hand, we hadn’t discussed this. “I need to get my sister back. I need to make sure she’s safe and then I will get the journal back to you. You have my word.”

Silas and Malina shared a look. “We will give you the journal. Of course, we will.”

Lennox’s shoulders dropped, tension visibly leaving her body. Malina stood until she was in front of Lennox, kneeling in front of her chair and taking her hands in her own. “We can still share the contents of the journal by sharing the stories. The people in our stories have long since passed. Your sister is still alive. We will gladly give you the journal so you can find her.”

“Thank you,” Lennox rasped, a tear falling down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away with her hand.

“Why would you do this for us?” I asked.

Malina turned her attention to me. “She is my High Queen. She could have come in here and demanded we hand over the journals, but she didn’t.” She looked back at Lennox. “Lennox, you came in here with an open heart, asking for help. I admire that deeply.”

Silas returned with the journal, handing it to Lennox. I watched as she ran her fingers over the leather bindings.

“Give me a second,” she told the family as she stood and pulled me away.

“I have an idea,” she whispered. “I need you to tell me if it’s too crazy or not.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“What if I used a spell to replicate the journal? That way I can leave the original journal with the Galtains and I can manipulate the duplicate and remove random pages so whoever’s hands this journal ends up in they are unable to recreate the spell to end vampires.”

I ran my hand through my hair. “Do you think that would work? Would anyone be able to tell it was a duplicate?”

“Maybe an experienced witch, but they’d need to suspect it was a duplicate. If it’s Astria’s journal it will already feel and smell strongly of magic. It’s worth a shot. Besides, by the time they find out it’s a fake we will hopefully be far away with Kara in safety.”

“Do it.” She let out a sigh of relief. “How are you going to conduct a spell without the Galtain’s finding out?’

“I’m not going to. I’m tired of hiding my heritage. Let all of Lethenia find out I’m half-witch. I don’t fucking care anymore.”

“Okay, let’s do this. ”

We returned to the living room, where the Galtain family waited expectantly.

“I have a plan,” Lennox declared. “A way we can both have the journal. I’m going to conduct a duplication spell—that way I can leave you with the original journal and I can take the duplicate and still get my sister back.”

“You’re going to conduct a spell?” Silas looked between the two of us, brow furrowed.

“You’re a witch,” Malina breathed.

“Half witch,” Lennox confirmed.

“Holy stars,” Silas remarked. “How?” Lennox quickly explained her history, before listing off the ingredients she needed to complete the spell.

Malina and Silas scurried around the kitchen, finding each of the items Lennox needed and placing them on the small round table in the center of the kitchen.

Once everything was assembled, Lennox set the book in the center of the table while she mixed the ingredients together before igniting them with her flames.

“Don’t be alarmed.” She looked at the couple. “The book will appear like it is burning, but I assure you it’s not. It’s part of the spell.” Lennox returned to her work, sprinkling the smoldering ingredients over the book.

The edges of the leather curled as the ashes spread over the book. Lennox placed her hand over the smoking book as she closed her eyes, mumbling the spell under her breath. Flames erupted around her hand, the book dissolving to ashes under her hold, but the flames remained contained, appearing to not even touch her skin.

Malina gasped as the book disappeared, grasping Silas’ arm as she continued watching Lennox work.

Smoke clogged the air, Lennox’s burning hand disappearing behind its veil. The smoke dissipated when Lennox stopped speaking and brought her hand back to her side .

When all the smoke was gone it revealed two identical journals sitting side by side.

“How do you know which is which?” Silas asked.

“This is the original.” Lennox picked up the book on the left and handed it to Silas. “I can tell because I conducted the spell. Otherwise, it’s near impossible.”

Silas turned the book over in his hands, examining it and the duplicate. “Marvelous,” he murmured. “Thank you.”

Lennox smiled tightly. “I wish we could stay longer, but we should go,” she said. “I hate to rush out of here so quickly but?—”

“No,” Malina interrupted. “You need to go. Go get your sister back.”

“Thank you,” we both told them as we donned our coats. “We owe you.”

“You owe us nothing,” Silas said. “Keep leading us strongly, our queen.”

“And come back and visit with that sister of yours when this is all over,” Malina added.

Lennox stilled in the doorway before looking over her shoulder at the couple.

“I will,” she promised.

The cold wind stung my cheeks as we exited the house.

Surely an hour had passed and Luciana would be here soon. This weather chilled me to my bones, despite trying to use my flames to warm me. Lennox hugged the duplicate journal to her chest as we made our way to the clearing.

“You did a good thing in there,” I told her.

“I tried,” she mused. “I still feel like shit though.” She sighed and she pulled her coat tighter around her neck. “I hate asking them for anything.”

“I know but—” She held out a hand to silence me.

“Do you feel that?” I strained my ears against the howling of the wind.

A figure crashed through the trees to our right. I pulled Lennox to my side as we both reached for our weapons.

“How do these fuckers always manage to find us?” I growled as I assessed the Dhampir prowling towards us. There was only one, but that didn’t mean there weren’t more on the hunt.

This one looked different though, with more human features. Its face looked mostly human, with the red eyes typical of Dhampir and its elongated fangs.

“Beats me,” Lennox gritted as she took off towards the Dhampir. It snarled at Lennox before bounding towards her. They met in a vicious clang of steel and teeth. The Dhampir let out one of its high pierced shrieks as Lennox’s sword found a home in its shoulder.

I ran up beside her, slicing my sword through its chest the moment Lennox removed her sword.

Black rancid blood splattered across my face. The liquid was hot against my face in the winter chill, but the Dhampir still stood.

I grunted as I pulled back my sword as the Dhampir swiped out a massive claw. Lennox stumbled back into the snow, a scream of pain tearing from her as she gripped her leg.

I ground my jaw and ran towards the Dhampir as it prowled towards Lennox where she lay in the snow. Her red blood streaked the snow as she stumbled away from the beast.

If that fucker thought he stood a chance against Lennox Adair…

Her daggers flew through the air—embedding in the Dhampir’s thick chest. The Dhampir paused before ignoring the daggers, removing them from his chest one by one and discarding them on the ground without even flinching.

The Dhampir set its sight back on Lennox, continuing its pursuit. Lennox might be injured, but there was still plenty of fight left in her. I could see it in her eyes .

She glanced at me, giving me a wink before turning her attention back to the Dhampir. I crept up behind the creature, waiting for the right moment to take the final blow.

The monster was getting closer to Lennox. Each step was precise as it approached her. Only when they were both breathing the same air did she swipe up with her sword, hidden in the snow beside her, thrusting up into the Dhampir’s chest. It roared—the sound shaking the forest around us as I rushed forward—embedding my own sword in the Dhampir’s back. It twisted towards me, trying to reach the sword, oblivious to the fire sparking to life behind it. Lennox’s flames engulfed the Dhampir and it shrieked louder. I reinforced Lennox’s flames with my own, our combined fire melting the snow underneath the Dhampir, but we continued until all that was left was its ashes in the patch of dead grass. I brought my flames back inside of me, staring at Lennox across from me as her chest heaved.

Magic prickled in the air around us, and we both turned to find Luciana materializing beside us.

“Once again, you’re late to the fight,” I told her.

She looked around the forest. “What was it?” She asked.

“Another Dhampir.”

“Fuck,” she swore.

“Let’s get out of here before another one finds us.” I looked around the forest for any signs of more abominations.

“Did you get the journal at least?” Luciana asked. Lennox nodded as we both headed towards our swords that now lay in the ashes of the beasts—the metal untouched despite our fire burning the monster to ashes.

“Now let’s go get my sister.”