Home > Queen Heir (NYC Mecca #1)(5)

Queen Heir (NYC Mecca #1)(5)
Author: Jaymin Eve, Leia Stone

The teleportation process was not easy, learned through years of practice. I meditated regularly to keep my mind attuned to the energy. Harnessing the biting spike of mecca power and focused my breathing, I sent forth power to the Manhattan vortex, which was close to the royal house.

Once my mind was calm, I took Calista’s hand. My advisor was fierce and loyal, but her wolf was not dominant enough to be able to mentally travel the vortex pathways. She needed my help to get through. The female attacker, who had finally reached us, circled around unsure of the visible power of the vortex. Ignoring her, I sucked in a deep breath and allowed the slightest pull on that connection to Manhattan; like reaching out and grabbing a cord floating in the ocean. And all of a sudden we were snatched from Bronx, flung along the magical ley line, and deposited in Manhattan.

I don’t think I could ever describe the traveling process to a human. It was magical and if you had never felt magic, well … I guess the sensations were a lot like those really intense rollercoasters with the huge drops. During the entire thing, your stomach feels like it’s in your throat. Your equilibrium is gone, and so is all control. You are at the mercy of a force much bigger and more powerful than you, and you know it could destroy you in an instant. Both scary as heck and absolutely exhilarating.

As my feet slammed down, I released Calista’s hand. I was already scanning around the space, assessing the threats which were surely near. Ten of the Red Queen’s royal guard were waiting for me.

They all bowed to one knee before me. “Your Majesty.”

Standing just behind them was Selene, five of her personal guards surrounding her. She looked her normal overly made-up self. Her dark Mediterranean skin tone and red hair, a mass of curls falling just below her shoulders, gave her an exotic look. Her large dark brown eyes looked black right now.

To give her credit, she did look a bit bent out of shape, possibly even upset that our queen had just died. I didn’t see any tears, but she wasn’t quite as composed as normal. She wore the deep purple of her house and nodded curtly to me. Her large, venomous snake familiar, Larak, curled snuggly around her shoulders.

I focused on the red guards. “There was an attack at the Bronx vortex, half a dozen or so magically cloaked individuals. The other heirs may be in danger.”

I knew Calista was already on her tablet warning my Bronx wolves to be on alert, and to expect attacks.

Five of the guards nodded, and as Calista and I stepped further away from the disc, they ran behind me and into the vortex. Selene merely stood there glaring at the blood on my forehead.

“What happened to the queen?” I asked, not caring which of the shifters before me answered.

One of the remaining members of the royal guard replied: “She was attacked in her library, murdered. There are signs of a struggle and the entire place smells of blood, but we couldn’t find any but the queen’s.” He paused uncomfortably. “We have no real leads.” There was true pain on the shifter’s face, but I hardened my heart. I could trust no one now except for those few who had proven their loyalty to me. Everyone else was a suspect in the queen’s death, even the royal guards.

“Take me to where she was killed.”

Without another word they turned, and I was surprised at their ready obedience of me.

Selene strode through her dominants then and blocked my way.

“You aren’t queen yet, Arianna. You don’t get to come into my territory and give orders.” She crossed her arms and I knew she would fight me all the way. Adrenalin and anger coursed through me. I’d lost the queen and some of my guards in one night. Maybe all of them, I had no idea what was happening back in Bronx. Selene had chosen the wrong time to throw her weight around. I was just figuring out the best way to get around protocol and knock her teeth down her throat when Calista stepped forward.

“Statute fifty-six of the bylaws: If a monarch dies, the Summit begins, during which time the previous ruling monarch’s heir holds a slightly more dominant position.” Calista smiled sweetly at Selene, and even though I’d have preferred to release my anger on her perfect face, I took a small victory at the rules being used against the purple heir for once.

Selene was alpha of the Manhattan borough. I had received multiple reports that she was a strict leader with no tolerance for wolves who slipped outside of her firm set of rules. Being strict was fine – I was strict – but I also loved my wolves. I would die for them, and Selene had shown not one ounce of compassion for her people. The few times we had met there was nothing but cunning in her actions. She was a power hungry, evil snob.

She’d fought for the Manhattan borough when we both came of age around the same time. It was my birthright to rule in the same home of the Red Queen, but Selene pulled her usual crap and threw our laws in my face. She was two months older than me, so she got first choice. The queen had allowed it, then to punish Selene secretly, made Devina and Breanna co-alphas of Queens, giving me my own territory to reside over, all of the Bronx.

For all intents and purposes I was the Red Queen’s niece. She was my mom’s sister, although I never thought of her as family. I’d never so much as hugged the woman. It was against the rules, and she sure as hell never made any move to touch me. To a certain extent I understood. The queen had no room for weakness or public affections. But still, it kind of hurt every time she brushed me aside.

Though there was one time, on my sixteenth birthday – the first year I was of age – that she told me I was her favorite heir. Which had meant a lot to me.

   
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