Raith immediately sits up on the mattress.
“What’s happened?” Galen asks, whipping his head toward the professor.
“It’s Queen Krosia,” Thane growls, and he turns, striding into the living room and leaving us to hurry after him.
Knox’s eyes darken when he sees me.
“You tell them,” Thane says, gesturing his head to Knox.
“It’s somethin’ fuckin’ bad, isn’t it?” Raith murmurs, coming to stand next to me.
Galen moves to my other side, wrapping his arm around my waist.
Knox watches them, and his lips thin. “You’d better hope you can keep your little pet hidden,” he snarls, staring at me with disgust.
No one corrects him that I’m their mate, and it stings even though I tell myself I should have expected it.
Galen and Raith tense.
“Why?” Galen asks as he strokes my hip with his thumb reassuringly, like he can sense my change in mood.
Knox lifts his chin, his dark eyes staying fixed on me, even though he responds to Galen. “Because the queen is here.”
“What the fuck?” Raith takes a step forward. “What do you mean she’s fuckin’ here?”
“She’s sitting in the smaller dining hall,” Thane growls. “As are the other originals.”
Surprise fills Galen’s features. “They’re all here?”
Thane nods. “And they’re waiting for us. The queen has called an emergency meeting.”
“Why here?” Galen asks.
“It doesn’t matter,” Knox answers. “We’re to attend, and I suggest you don’t mention that you believe you’ve found your…mate.” When he says the word ‘mate’ there’s a strange flicker of emotion in his eyes. “Or you know what will happen.”
Raith cracks his neck and shakes his limbs. “We’re not fuckin’ stupid.”
A cruel smile touches Knox’s lips. “Could have fooled me.”
“Enough,” Thane says, giving Knox a look. “That isn’t helping.” His eyes soften when he turns his gaze to me. “We have to go.” He indicates to the stack of books on the coffee table. “Busy yourself while we’re gone, and we’ll be back soon.”
“But,” I splutter, “what do you mean there’s an emergency meeting?” I’m desperate for answers, but one look at Thane’s face, and I know I’m not going to get any.
Galen squeezes my hip. “Do as he says. We’ll discuss everything when we return.”
I want to keep protesting, but going by their expressions, I’m guessing this is serious. “Okay, but you’d better be back soon.”
“Good girl,” Thane rumbles. “We’ll lock the door.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
~ Shade ~
After the guys leave, I distract myself by spending the next few hours devouring one of the books Galen left for me. It’s the strangest read about a minotaur on a farm, but it’s oddly addictive. By the end I’m not sure what I just read, but I do know I need a minotaur and stat. I also realize I must have read it before, because an image appears in my mind. I picture a plush green couch, and a flowerpot on a windowsill that seems all too familiar, but when I try to focus on the image, it disappears.
Placing down the book, I yawn loudly and stretch, my gaze straying to the locked door that leads to the corridor. It has been hours, and the guys still aren’t back. I think about how tense they were when they left, and a twinge of worry makes me unsettled. I hardly know anything about the shadow queen, but they didn’t seem too happy that she was here unexpectedly. And what was that about the other originals? What if they’re all actually enemies, and the guys don’t know how to play nice?My thoughts start to spiral, but I talk myself down.Calm down, Shade. You’re being ridiculous. They’re immortal beings and originals themselves. I’m sure they’re just fine.
Blowing out a long breath, I snatch a hunk of cheese from the silver platter Thane left for me, and I shove it into my mouth as I lift to my feet. It’s the first time I’ve been here alone, and as I chew, I stroll around the room. I study the elegant gothic décor, including ancient painted vases that look like they’d crumble if I touched them, and macabre paintings on the walls depicting battle scenes and shadowy landscapes. A grand piano sits close to one of the windows, and I meander past it until I come to a polished black door.
