Page 69 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

69

LENNOX

“Did you figure out where Kara is?” I asked Luce before our forms were fully even corporal again.

“Yes.”

I gave her an expectant look. “Her location shows up in the woods about a two-hour ride north of the city. They must have some kind of camp set up there at the base of the Abode Mountains.”

“What the fuck happened out there?” Declan stood from the couch as he took in mine and Luka’s blood-splattered appearance.

“What do you think happened?” I threw him a glare. “One of the Dhampir found us again.”

“Did you get the journal at least?” Nico chimed in.

“Of course, I got the journal.” I reached into the pocket of my leathers, pulling out the duplicated journal.

Nico took a step back and held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry, I didn’t know if the fight deterred you.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my swelling emotions. Kara was gone, but I didn’t need to take it out on my friends.

“We got the journal and one better.” I set the journal on the table. “I duplicated the journal and left the original with the Galtain’s.”

“Brilliant,” Luce whispered.

I flipped through the book, picking random pages throughout and ripping them out, making it look like several pages had been ripped out and throwing them into the smoldering hearth.

“And that’s why you are the queen,” Nico mused. I huffed a laugh and shook my head. I threw the remaining pages in the fire before slipping the journal back into my pocket. “Are we going by horse or is Luce transporting us?”

“Do you two want to bathe before we go?” Luce waved a finger towards Luka and me, her nose scrunched as she assessed us.

I looked at Luka. “I don’t see the point when we’re likely going to be covered in blood again.”

“She has a point,” Luka agreed. “If we’re all ready we should go.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. “Luciana should transport us,” Declan said. “That way they won’t be able to see us coming.”

“Can you handle that?” Nico looked at Luce with concern in his eyes.

“Yes, I can do it,” she snapped.

We all looked at her questioningly. She huffed a breath. “I ran my magic out last night; he’s being a mother hen.” She crossed her arms and looked at Nico. “I’m fine now.”

“If you’re sure…” I asked carefully. I wanted to get to Kara as quickly as possible, but not at the expense of Luce.

“Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go.”

The world shifted around us before I could question her anymore.

I pulled my cloak tighter around me as the winter chill formed around us as we appeared at the base of the Abode Mountains at the Northernmost tip of Lethenia.

The mountain’s snowy peaks loomed above us. I had never been this close to the mountains. Or any mountains, despite living only a few hours ride from them. I could see them looming in the distance, but up close—they were breathtaking, even despite the circumstances. I saw no sign of any dwellings or camp of any sort yet, not even smoldering flames from a fire. Scrying wasn’t accurate to a precise location, but instead of giving a general location, I hoped we weren’t too far off.

“I’m guessing they’re located in one of the mountain passes,” Declan mused. “We won’t be able to see them until we get closer.”

We all trudged through the snow, a bubble of silence surrounding us to continue to keep our arrival a secret. I used spurts of my magic to keep my body warm as we continued along the mountains. Goddess, I hated winter. I was used to the mild winters of Alethens, this type of cold should have been illegal.

Finally, we made it into a mountain pass. A large dwelling came into view on the path. The building was long, stretching between the two mountains with trees surrounding it on both sides. Its flat roof was covered in a thick layer of snow. The walls had been patched several times over the years. Pallets had been fixed to the sagging parts of the structure.

This had Vanir written all over it, but from what we had learned from Oriza, this was not the Vanir’s doing. Unless the Vanir were working with this other force and Oriza was unaware .

“How do we get in?” I surveyed the building from where we crouched behind the shrubs at the mouth of the pass.

Two guards stood outside the door, a multitude of weapons strapped across their bodies.

“Do you think we could get in through one of the makeshift patches? Maybe we could get one off the building easily,” I mused.

“It’s a good idea, but it might bring attention to us and take too long. And we have no way of knowing what lies inside. We could be walking into a trap,” Declan said.

I let out a sigh. “This whole thing might be a fucking trap. Maybe we go in the front door. The note said I needed to bring the journal to get Kara back. They must be expecting us. So maybe we just go in.”

Declan was quiet as he thought over my idea. “That might be our best bet if we go in willingly and give them the journal—we might walk out unharmed with Kara.”

“Or we might not walk out at all,” Luce added.

“But it’s worth a try.” Luka shifted, his boots crunching on the snow.

“Lennox is right. We try to go in. But it should only be some of us, the rest stay out here in case things go wrong.”

“Goddess above. This is insane. You can’t expect them to let you walk out unharmed after they kidnapped Kara!” Luce’s voice rose with every word.

“Shh.” I hit her on the arm. “I know it’s not ideal, but we have to try.”

“Well, I’m not walking into a trap. I’ll stay out here, ready to help once everything goes to shit.”

“I think I should go in. Alone.”

“No,” Luka growled. “There is no way I’m letting you walk in there alone.”

“It should be the three of us,” Delcan said. “It makes the most sense and shouldn’t set off any alarms. “The Queen, her husband, and their guard.”

“Okay.” I looked at Nico and Luce. “You two stay out here and watch for anything unusual. If we’re not out by sunset, come in after us.”

They murmured their agreements.

I turned to Declan and Luka. “Let’s get my sister back.”

Luka, Declan, and I backtracked slightly, making it appear as if we had come directly to the mouth of the pass. The guards were instantly at attention as we appeared, each of them releasing their swords from their sheaths with a whine that echoed in the silent passage.

We approached with empty hands held in the air.

“I’m High Queen Lennox Adair, I’m here for my sister. I believe she is being kept here.” The males lowered their weapons but didn’t sheath them. They dipped their heads slightly. “We’ve been expecting you, Your Majesty.”

We followed behind them as they led us into the building. The hallway was narrow, it was a tight fit to walk through side by side. My shoulder continuously brushed with Luka’s as we walked, Declan at our back, his wings tucked in tight so he could fit. The path was silent at first, but as we walked farther sounds filtered in. Were those nails scratching against a wall?

I shuttered as what sounded like a scream or a moan of pain, rang in my ears.

Doors appeared on either side of the hallway now. Small windows were carved into each door with thick bars over the openings, reminding me of the cells in a dungeon.

A body slammed against one of the doors. Letting out a hiss as we passed.

Luka jumped. “What was that?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s one of the mistress’ experiments.”

“Experiments?” I mouthed to Luka. The word sent a shiver snaking down my spine.

As we continued to walk more and more sounds came from the cells. Some crashed against the doors as we passed, others remained quiet in their cells, slumped against the doors.

What kind of experiments were they? They all looked normal. As normal as any prisoner might look. In the hall beyond, one of the prisoners was hanging its arms through the bars, hissing and growling as it scratched at the walls.

I sucked in a breath as we passed it. Claws, it had claws that were scratching against the walls, leaving deep gouges in the cement.

And its eyes were fully red. Its eyes reminded me of the eyes of the Dhampir… and the claws— Stars above . Was this mistress creating the Dhampirs? Was that her experiment?

I looked at Luka, his face was pale, making me assume he had come to the same conclusion I had.

Eventually, we came to the end of the hallway where it split in two directions. To the left, there was a chorus of growls and screams. Goosebumps peppered over my skin as I turned my back to the sounds and followed the guards down the path to the right.

Those growls—I knew those growls. I had heard them this morning, had heard them as they burst through the palace windows after our wedding.

Dhampirs were down that hall. Fully manifested Dhampirs had been either captured or were being made here.

I tried to block out the growls, the screams . I was here for Kara. I needed to get Kara out of here and then we could figure out what was going on in this building.

The guards opened the door at the end of the hallway, revealing a large open area. The room was empty, save for the makeshift throne sitting in the center at the far end. Boxes and other discarded metal items had been fixed to create a large square platform, with steps built in and encased in ice. Each of the four layers leading up to the throne resting at the top.

The throne was a simple structure made of ice. Not nearly as magnificent as the female residing in it.

Her sleek black hair swished around her chin as she looked up as the door opened.

The female’s deep red lips curved into a vicious smile as she took us in. “I see you got my note,” she crooned. Her voice was as smooth as velvet, but she didn’t move from the throne as the guards continued to usher us toward her.

“I’m so glad you made it.” We halted as we approached the base of the throne, forced to look up at the female atop it.

Luka’s hand bunched into a fist next to mine.

“We didn’t have much choice did we?” I said through gritted teeth.

The female clicked her tongue. “You did, I had heard rumors you cared deeply for your sister, but you never know if a rumor is true or not. Turns out this one was.”

“Where is she?” I hissed, my voice low.

Her hands gripped the ice throne, her blood-red nails digging into the ice. “Seems the rumors about your less than pleasant temperament were true as well.”

“Sorry if I’m not in the best mood, life has been a little hectic the past few days.”

Her blood-red lips curved into a smile. “So I hear. A wedding, several murders, a kidnapping. Such fun.”

“Where is my sister?” I ground out. I could feel my magic rising, pushing against my fingertips.

“She is here. She’s fine. Once we’re done talking, I’ll have one of my guards fetch her.”

“Get her now.” I met the guards’ gazes. “I am your High Queen, or did you forget that?” I seethed. The males had the nerve to look nervous, but instead of getting my sister, they looked behind me, at their mistress on the throne behind. I swallowed a growl.

“Do you have the journal?”

I reached inside my leathers, pulling out the leather-bound book. “So, you can listen.” She clapped her hands together enthusiastically.

I tossed her the journal and she caught it swiftly. “I still want to talk—we have much to discuss, Your Majesty .”

“If you bring my sister out now, I promise to stay and talk. ”

“Fine.” She gestured for one of the guards. “Go fetch the girl.” He nodded before leaving for the door behind the throne.

The female flipped through the book, my heart beating fast as she did.

“Aren’t you curious as to what my name is?” She set the journal on the arm of the throne.

“Asking the name of our enemy isn’t something we’re fond of,” Luka remarked.

“Enemy?” The gold ring in her nose crinkled as she spoke. “Whoever said I was your enemy?”

“You kidnapped the princess,” Declan stated.

“You’re being dramatic.” She waved a hand dismissively. “I only borrowed her to get your attention. I want to work together.”

I scoffed. “I find that hard to believe given the circumstances.”

Her golden eyes glimmered. “Did you catch a glimpse of my pets on your way here?”

“You claim those abominations?” The disdain was clear in Luka’s voice.

“No, I don’t claim them. But I do take responsibility for them.” Her dark eyes glimmered. “I created them.”

“Why?” My magic pushed against my fingertips. “Why create such vicious beasts and release them into the world?

“It was never my intention to create monsters. Or to release them into the world. The ones roaming about are the ones that escaped. From the smell of you”—She crinkled her nose, causing the ring to shimmer—“you’ve come in contact with them before. They are not easy to tame.”

“No, they’re not,” Luka bit out.

“What was your intention, if not to create monsters?”

“I am trying to destroy the true monsters.” Her gaze slid to Luka.

“My name is Adreona, by the way. I’m the head of the Panateia. Our organization aims to rid Lethenia of vampires.”