That would have been helpful to know six months ago.She handed me one, put one under her own tongue and, seeing Raleigh’s discomfort, added, ‘Just hold hands with Clara.’
The world felt clearer with the garlic in my mouth.Raleigh couldn’t lead, so we retraced Moira’s steps.The halls were empty, a vast contrast to the crowds we’d passed on the way in.Not a singleservant bowed in my periphery, no whispering courtiers decorated the corners.We walked in silence, unmolested and unwatched, and with every step my unease grew.
Raleigh was the first to stop walking.‘Stop,’ he said, pulling me back to him.‘We’re walking into an ambush.’
I pushed the garlic into my cheek.‘He’s right.It’s too quiet.’
Moira stopped several paces ahead of us, then spat her garlic into her palm, to Raleigh’s obvious disgust.‘Would you attack us?We must have killed, what, twenty vampires?And look at you.’She nodded to me.‘You’re practically a little hunter yourself.They’re probably cowering somewhere until we leave.’
‘Take this seriously, Moira.’Raleigh’s fury rang out through the empty hall.‘Do you think they’ve never fought vampire hunters before?They wiped out your entire family!’
‘I’m not my family.’
‘You are,’ he cried.‘You’re just like them and I will not let your arrogance kill you like it killed them.’
‘Keep your voice down,’ I hissed.
Raleigh whipped around to face me.‘Donottell me what to do.’I had never seen his expression so dark.‘We wouldn’t be in this situation if you hadn’t ignored all of my warnings and tried to kill her in the first place.’
‘She was trying to kill us!’
‘She was toying with us.It’s what she does.She’s doing it now.She’s probably enjoying watching us panic.’Raleigh pulled away, throwing his arms out, yelling at the ceiling.‘Are you happy, Constantina?You’ve had your fun.You might as well— Ugh.’Raleigh doubled over, covering his eyes.
Moira advanced at him, dangling her necklace from her fingers, the cross glinting in the candlelight.‘Calm down.’
Raleigh didn’t resist.He kept his head bowed, even when Moirawithdrew the pendant.‘I should have come alone,’ he said.‘I knew you’d never wait quietly outside.’
‘Howdidyou know to look for us?’I asked her.‘It can’t be midnight yet.’
‘Enrique knows some of the guests who arrived after us.One of them ran out to tell him after they saw you disappear with the Queen.’
‘Why?’Raleigh asked.
‘Are you really asking me why one of his childhood friends would warn him that someone he cared about was going to die?’
‘Stop it,’ I said before Raleigh could snap back.‘Did you leave him alone?’I pictured Enrique, left with the carriage, a sitting duck for anyone attempting an ambush.The realisation dawned on Raleigh’s face as I spoke.
But Moira looked away.‘We split up once we were inside.’
‘He’s in here?’Raleigh’s voice was rising again.
‘Half the court wanted to talk with him.He’s one of you, he’ll be fine.’
‘He’s one ofus.’
‘Can you stop arguing for one minute so we can make a plan?’I cried.
They both turned to me like scolded children expecting a hiding.
‘Raleigh.You know the Queen’s tactics better than us.Why has she left us alone?Think.’
He frowned.I could tell he was forcing himself back into rationality.‘She’s making us complacent and concentrating her force somewhere.’He thought for a moment.‘Most likely the entrance hall.At least, that’s what I would do, but maybe that’s too obvious.She’ll expect us to work out this much at least.’
‘Actually, my love,’ came a chilling voice.‘I never realised you were capable of such complex thought.’
I felt as though an icicle had dropped through me.The Queen appeared behind Raleigh, blinking into view just as she’d vanished in the throne room, and snaked her arms lovingly around his waist.‘Everyone’s waiting so patiently for you.Would you deprive them of your presence any longer?’
Moira raised her stake, preparing to lunge.
