“It matters not.”
“It matters to me.”
“We don’t have much time, Fallon.”
My goosebumps prickle, as though a new wave has splashed my skin.
A gust of wind combs through the branches over our heads, allowing moonlight to squeeze through the canopy of leaves. I make out the folds of a turban, crumpled skin that resembles melted wax, and milky eyes that gleam white.
I take a step back, my heart palpitating inside my throat. Flora warned me Bronwen was blind but failed to mention she was disfigured. What happened to her?
“Free the five iron crows, and you will be queen.”
I freeze. What the what? Iron crows? Queen? Marco’s blasé mien flashes behind my lids, eliciting a shudder. “Not only is the king betrothed—and clearly not to me—but also, I’ve no love for the male.”
“I’m aware the Regio male you love is another.”
This time, the goosebumps sink beneath my skin and bob along my chilled blood. “How?”
“Because I see, child.”
A shiver runs down my spine because if she does, it’s not with her scarred eyes. “Are you saying that if I find five . . .statues, Dante will become king and choose me as his bride?”
“I am saying Luce will, one day soon, belong to you, Fallon Báeinach.”
“Bannock?” I repeat the foreign word she tagged to my name. “Why did you call me Fallon Bannock? What does it mean?”
She backs up. “Free the crows, Fallon.”
“Free them? These statues are trapped?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“They’re hidden across the kingdom.”
I toss my hands up in frustration. “Then how in Gods’ names am I supposed to locate them?”
Bronwen stops withdrawing. “The first will lead you to the others.”
“Great. And where is the first?” She pauses for so long that I blow a breath out the corner of my mouth. “Do keep up the suspense. It’s soveryenjoyable.”
“I see one in the palace.”
“Well, that’s unfortunate, since I’m neither allowed nor welcomed onto the royal isle.” Under my breath, I add, “Trust me, if I were, I’d betheretonight.”
“You’re here because it was time.” She folds herself into the darkness as though her body lacks substance. “Speak of me and your undertakings with no one, or you’ll damn us all.”
“Damn us all?” I mutter under my breath. “Who’sall?”
Silence.
“Who are you? And why me?”
More silence.
“And how does my mother know you?”
