I sit up, and that’s when I become aware of something else.
My hand. My brandhand.
The bones are so stiff that my joints seem locked in place, curled tightly into a fist. Trembling, I unfurl my fingers.
There, sitting on my palm, is the golden Eye.
36
Without thinking, without breathing, I fling the Eye across the room, the metallic clattering a second heartbeat bouncing off the floor.
I choke on disbelief, my head spinning as I try desperately to rationalize, to come up with some sort of explanation. Is this real? Or am I still dreaming?
Yes, that must be it.
I blink hard several times. I even pinch myself on the arm. But when I look back, the Eye is still there.
Cautiously, I slide out of bed and crawl towards it. There’s nothing particularly special about it. I doubt I’d give it a second glance if it was worn as a piece of jewellery.
I reach out my hand instinctively, then draw it back as I remember what happened when I touched it – the way it had felt, the wayIhad felt. A shudder scuttles down my spine.
Steeling myself, I grit my teeth and pick it up.
Nothing.
The Eye is cold and lifeless.
Had I dreamed that part? The part where my skin was set aglow, my blood thrumming with something strange and ancient andalive…
At that moment Spinner bursts through the door. ‘Rise and shine!’
Quickly, I drop the Eye into an open jewellery box, where it nestles inconspicuously among an array of golden brooches, and turn to face her.
‘Oh, good,’ she says. ‘You’re up. Queen Hydra is expecting you.’
I stare at her uncomprehendingly. ‘What?’
‘Hello?’ Spinner pretends to knock on the side of my head. ‘For your lesson.’
My heart plummets. How am I supposed to focus on anything after what’s just happened? Come to think of it, whathasjust happened?
Spinner tosses me my tunic and pushes me behind the screen. ‘Chop, chop. You don’t want to be late.’
I dress quickly then trip out of the door in a daze. But I don’t plan on going straight to the Aquatori Queen’s chambers. There’s someone else I have to see first.
The words are out of my mouth before I even turn the corner into the familiar little alcove in the library, but they fade on my tongue. Both armchairs are empty. An open book lies on the table between them, a tiny orb of light hovering above it.
‘I know you’re here,’ I say impatiently. ‘I need to speak with you.’
The old man does not appear.
‘Please.’
Nothing. Not even a rustle. I wait as long as I dare, then mutter a word that would earn me a slap from Grandmother and stalk out of the library.
‘Again.’ Queen Hydra melts the wall of ice in front of me. ‘And faster this time, child.’
I nod, trying to concentrate. We stand several yards apart, the blue marble floor submerged under a few inches of water. My muscles tense as I wait for her to strike.
