The vampires let us into the room. The moment I stepped foot inside, I was so transfixed by my friend that I barely noticed the door close softly behind us.
Amethyst sat by the window in a green, wing-backed chair, a blanket draped over her legs. Her shoulders were hunched as she stared out over the verdant rolling hills below. She didn’t turn, didn’t even blink her glassy brown eyes when I approached, confirming that the others were right. She was somewhere else—lost in a place that few witches could go.
“Amethyst? Hey, it’s Odette.”
Diana joined me as I knelt next to Amethyst and clasped one of her thin, dry hands, hoping that my touch would get through to her.
“We heard about your parents. We’re sorry.” I swallowed a lump in my throat. “To be honest, I feel responsible. I shouldn’t have brought you along that night. I should’ve gone alone. The demons would have broken through the Hellgate anyway, but none of the other stuff, the rest of the pain, would’ve happened.”
“Don’t think so highly of yourself, witch,” Simone spat, and I twisted in shock. I hadn’t realized that she’d followed us inside. The queen and Ayla, too. “If you went alone, you’d likely be dead. Then how would you stop them?” She arched an eyebrow. “Just wake the spirit walker, and quit making yourself feel bad over things that you can’t control.”
Damn. Vampires sure had a way with words.
I looked back at Amethyst. “Even if what Simone says is true, I’m so sorry about your parents.” I fell into silence, not sure where to go from there.
“Amethyst,” Diana piped up. “Do you think you could . . . return? We want to see you, to make sure you’re okay. And if you’re feeling up for it, Odette and Eva need you for something specific—and important.” Her sharp, blue eyes roved over our friend. She’d grown thinner, and her purple hair was lank and oily. “Plus, I think you need to eat.”
“We have been feeding her,” the queen whispered, slightly defensively. “However, she’s very particular about what she ingests. And honestly, it’s only when she eats a few specific items that she seems to become more responsive.” Her emerald eyes turned down. “I’m afraid we’re unsuited for taking care of a spirit walker in this court.”
My spine straightened. The queen’s talk of food had sparked an idea. Alex had been ill after being pulled through the ghost plane. I suspected that the effects of that place were stronger on Amethyst because she, unlike Alex, resonated with ghostly energies. But still, Alex had gotten better. Why couldn’t Amethyst?
“Diana, do you remember those potions you made for Alex at Morgan and Merlin’s cottage?”
I had been present at the making of those potions too, but Diana was always the most serious about potions. At Spellcasters she’d memorized how to brew at least a hundred. In the past, she’d wake up nearly every morning at the crack of dawn, ready to brew a new batch.
“Of course I do,” she replied.
“Good. We need to make those same potions for Amethyst. I think her grief has gotten her stuck in the ghost plane, paralyzed. Perhaps we even need to have her eat the most potent of the ingredients whole.”
Diana cocked her head. “That’s a very sensible plan, Dane,” she said slowly. “For someone who’s mediocre at potions, I’m impressed.”
I rolled my eyes, but took the jab, because, well, compared to Diana, Iwasmediocre at potions. “Thanks. Ayla, will you show Diana to the kitchens so she can get started?”
The older Torna twin nodded and slipped out the door with Diana.
When they were gone, I twisted to look at the queen. “I don’t think she’ll be prepared to work magic any time soon, so I must ask, do the fae have anyone who can talk to ghosts?”
Queen Aquatia looked thoughtful. “There is one aether-blessed fae who claims she can speak with ghosts. She’s the only one.”
“Is she nearby?” I asked. “Maybe she can help us bring Amethyst back. Or even help us find two more ghosts of mind witches and bind the witches to Eva and me.”
As much as I wanted Amethyst back, I had a feeling that leaving the spirit realm was not something that anyone could force her to do. She had to be ready, which hopefully Diana would help her with.
In the meantime, we needed to check out other options. Preferably before we returned to the human world, where Eva and I would be at risk.
“She lives on the outskirts of the Riverlands and the Dark Court,” the queen answered. “Many years ago, we sent delegations to her aid. We begged that she move, so that if the Dark Court struck, she would not be in harm’s way. After all, she is our citizen, and we felt responsible for her well-being.” Aquatia shook her head. “But she refused.”
I nodded. “I think I’ll need to pay her a visit. Maybe after I speak with Eva, you can tell me more about her?”
“But of course,” the queen said graciously.
I turned back to Amethyst and gripped her hand again. “I know you’re hurting, old friend, but hang in there. We’ll help you out of there, safe and sound. You’ll be in a place where you can grieve properly. And if you want, you can take revenge on those who killed your parents.” I kissed her lightly on the cheek before leaving the room.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
When I entered the corridor, the queen split from me, which I preferred. I needed some time alone to think. Unfortunately, I’d made it only a few steps out the door when Francis and Simone appeared at my sides.
So much for time to think.
