“The law is the law,” another Blueblood with rich dark skin and smooth ebony hair says from her throne. Her irises are so pale they nearly blend with the whites of her eyes. “And you have broken several—including our most sacred one.”
Though her words are firm, her face lacks the same contempt as the scary blonde with the claws.
“Once the Matron arrives, you will be tried for your crimes, and when you and the intruders are found guilty, you will answer with your lives.”
“Threaten my friends again, and it’s you who will answer with your lives.”
Four heads snap toward me as my rage comes to a boil.
“What did you just say?” Esther takes a menacing step toward me, her claws curling.
A darkness creeps over me, and though it frightens me, I don’t have the strength to fend it off. It’s heavy. My power just itching to be let free. Itching to destroy something.
“Enough.”
This voice is different—chilling and ancient—coming from behind us.
She walks toward us at an unhurried pace, the horde of Bluebloods parting for her with bowed heads. Her hair is braided down her back, the auburn strands streaked with silver ones. Her face is soft and ethereal, showing a bit of age through the gentle lines and creases. She wears no crown, but something tells me she doesn’t need to. The female mounts the dais and comes to a stop in front of Mar.
“Grandmother.”
Grandmother?
“What have you done, Marideth?” She shakes her head, regret lining her silver eyes. I catch a tear streaming down Mar’s face as she bows at the witch’s feet. I’ve never seen her cry before.
“Save your tears, child,” her grandmother says, her voice gentle.
Then her cool gaze lands on me. Reaching out a wrinkled hand, she cups my face and studies my irises. I try to control the scowl on my face.
“You fools do realize who you hold captive, do you not?” Releasing me, she turns back to the bloodthirsty witches enthroned before us. “Are you that blind?”
The elders study me. One by one, their faces change, their jaws dropping as they take in the constricted amethyst eyes peering back at them.
“It can’t be,” the small one on the end whispers, a hand pressed to her chest.
“Oh, but it is.” I sneer, melting the rope from my wrists. Two flames burst from my palms. A gasp ripples through the crowd, and the dagger threatening me clanks to the ground. “And unless you want your homes to be razed, you’d better release my friends. Now.”
“Imposter!” Esther snarls, drawing a long curved blade and surging toward me with crazed eyes.
Without any conscious effort, my shadows lash out, wrapping around her wrists and throat, forcing her to her knees. The rest of the room gasps as the elders leap to their feet. My shadows preen at the taste of their fear.
“Serena,” Mar breathes, her face ashen.
“No harm will come to you here. Any of you.” Marideth’s grandmother assures me. “Release her.”
“Tell your witches to stand down first,” I bite, nodding toward the ones still holding knives to my friends’ necks. Mar’s grandmother delivers a terse nod, and they back away into the crowd. I seethe for another minute, my chest heaving.
“Serena.” Kai nudges my leg with his shoulder, snapping me out of it. My shadows retract, and Esther crashes forward, coughing and clutching her throat.
“It’s her,” the petite elder whispers in awe. “The last Blackblood.”
She takes a cautious step away from her sisters and sinks to her knees. The rustling of clothes has me turning toward the crowd. Around me, the gathered Bluebloods are dropping to the ground.
“What are they doing?”
“Bowing. To you.” Mar’s grandmother’s voice sends chills down my spine. Then she too dips at the waist. The other two witches on the dais follow suit, dropping down to one knee. I don’t count Esther, who’s still on all fours, all but foaming at the mouth as she glares at me.
“Get up, just—get up,” I mutter in exasperation.
