Jinneth never speaks ofwhyshe was captured, which sets off alarm bells in my mind.For all the years she was gone, isn’t thereasonfor her being taken the most important detail of all? One that is strangely omitted?
My thoughts seem only shared by me and my mates, judging by the curious glances they toss at one another as Jinneth rambles on.
She talks slowly, choosing every word for the greatest impact on the younglings in her presence. “The wretched devils housed me in numerous cells over the years, playing loose with my life as if I wasn’t even worth the cold bars I sat behind. When construction became necessary in Sutlis Spire, I was moved to separate, tighter confines in a different jail within the Judgment Ward. Always alone. They never left me in any sort of general population. Solitary confinement was my lot in life.”
“They sought to steal your humanity. Turn you into an animal like them!” one girl pipes up.
“Aye, lass.” Jinneth wags a finger and squares her shoulders. “I would not allow them that luxury. I couldn’t let them win, you see? I maintained my sanity by etching drawings into the stone walls of my cells with my nails.”
Sisters shake their heads in unified misery.
Once she’s finally finished, leading up to our daring rescue of her, Jinneth casually glances over at Keffa with a helpless look in her eyes.
Girls start asking questions, barking all at once in a confluence of shrill voices. Keffa stands and rests a hand on Jinneth’s shoulder. With a kind smile, she says, “Sister Jinneth is not going anywhere, little doves. She has had an arduousevening and it has exhausted her. We need to allow her rest now. Your questions can wait.”
Keffa’s eyes rise above the crowd and meet mine, telling me she meant that last bit for me, specifically.
The questions I have are numerous and detailed—more than the broad veneer my mother has painted her story with.
Why did she leave me, abandoning me to a horrid life in Nuhav?
Why was she arrested and kept for so long?
Why was she never turned?
What can you tell me about my Loreblood?
Why am I special?
In that case, who is myfather?! If my mother is a human, and my blood is unique and damning to vampire masters while also being a healing salve and a severing tool for thralls, then it figures my father’s bloodline must be where it stems from, no? Just what sort of monster washe?
By the time I’ve rattled off the incessant questions in my head, Jinneth has risen from her chair with Keffa beside her. They head for the stairs leading to the second level bedrooms, the girls watching them go.
I take a step forward to say something—
Skar stops me with a hand on my arm. He shakes his head gravely. “Not now, love. Let your mother sleep.” He reads the frustration on my face and continues. “You’ll get more out of her when she’s energized, rather than trying to force answers from a tired woman.”
I close my mouth, grind my teeth, and nod hard.He’s right. Kill her with kindness, not forceful inquiries.“Fine,” I spit out. “You heard her story, did you not? It sounded like . . .” I roll my wrist, searching for the right word.
“Horseshit? Like a prepared speech meant to rile up her supporters for action? Yes.”
We’re on the same page then.
I’m surprised when Skar’s beautiful lips curl with a smirk. “I must say I’m impressed she was able to push through all of her exhaustion to spread her message.”
“I have a feeling things are about to change around the Chained Sisters,” Garroway says.
With a severe nod, I glance over at Vallan and see he’s doing the same. “We’ll see how the two leaders vie with one another,” the hulking vampire says. “It should be interesting.”
“Interesting?” I say. “That’s my mother you’re talking about—”
“And a formidable woman. At the same time, Iron Sister Keffa is no slouch herself.”
“Do you suspect a feud?” I ask.
“Time will tell.” Vallan’s scrutinizing eyes examine everyone in the room. “They would not be the first lovers to quarrel over how to run things in their house.”
My chuckle sounds spiteful.
