Home > Queen Heir (NYC Mecca #1)(6)

Queen Heir (NYC Mecca #1)(6)
Author: Jaymin Eve, Leia Stone

The guards began to lead the way, and I stepped in right behind them as Selene kept pace with me.

“You just had to show up for the Summit with honor marks, didn’t you?” she whispered. “Think that will gain favor with the council?”

Snide wench was probably wishing she’d thought of doing the same thing. Didn’t she realize for that to happen her guard would have to die? How dare she insinuate that I had done it on purpose. Damn protocol again. This chick was just screaming for me to punch her right in her fake nose. It was far too upturned to be real. I guess that’s what happens when you spend too long in Manhattan. But unfortunately there was to be no combat between the heirs outside of the Summit, so I bit my tongue, knowing one day soon, in one of the Summit tasks, I’d get a chance to officially kick her butt.

It took us no time to traverse the distance to the royal estate. It was a fifty-story, sprawling mansion skyscraper, housing hundreds if not thousands of guards, staff, and advisors. I had been here on a few occasions, but this time felt so different. This time the royal estate was my next possible home.

The lead guard held the opulent double doors for me.

“Welcome to the palace. I’ll take you straight to the library of the late queen now. Please note that you’re not to touch anything, and will only have moments at the scene. The council is waiting, and the Summit must be initiated with the blood of the four.”

I heard the underlying words he wasn’t saying. He should be taking us straight to the council, but he was hoping I would find a clue to help catch the queen’s killer. Which moved him a little further down my list of suspects. Just then I felt a gust of energy, and the scent of old magic. I smiled. Finn was finally here.

Turning, I locked eyes with my familiar as he bound over to me. His eyes were both fierce and kind, glowing with a yellow hue. The guards stood a bit straighter and even Selene held her breath. Finn was a force of nature. Never had I seen or read about a bigger, more imposing familiar. Even the Red Queen’s white lynx was smaller than my wolf. His blue dog collar jingled as he jogged to my side. I made him wear that while he was running around town so as not to scare the locals. The collar also stated that he was a Great Pyrenees mountain dog. Finn was born of magic and could slightly alter his appearance if needed. When humans were around he shifted to look more doglike. Even so, he was a massive sight to behold.

As I sank my fingers into the fur on his back, I felt completely at peace. Though some of the peace faded as I noticed the speckling of blood across his white fur and muzzle.

What happened?

Ran into some trouble on the way. Sorry I was delayed. I reached the Bronx vortex just as you left. The rest of your guards are okay.

I hugged him closer to me, thankful I hadn’t lost him or any more of my people. I couldn’t think about that though. One didn’t anticipate death, they fought against it with every step they had. I had to fight for what I wanted, and I wanted to be queen.

I never in a hundred years thought those words would form in my mind.

You will be queen, Finn assured me. His confidence fueled my own, but my familiar’s magic didn’t actually include future sight. Unfortunately.

We silently followed the royal guard as they weaved through the massive bottom floor of this building, which housed a dining area, huge kitchens, and lots of areas for entertainment and group meetings. Bypassing the opulent double staircase, we strode to the elevators and were taken up to level five, which I was told was the queen’s personal floor. As we exited and crossed the plushly carpeted space, I counted off the doors that spanned the hall. Twenty or more lined each side. The size of this place was unprecedented. Finally, at the very end was a huge double set of doors. The queen’s library.

A somber mood fell over our large group, even Selene for once didn’t have anything to say. When we paused at the end, I could already scent the death that waited for us beyond those doors. New death. Lighter than I expected, which told me they had already removed the body. At least I wouldn’t have to stare at the broken body of my beloved queen.

The same guard stepped forward and unlocked the doors. “What’s your name, soldier?” I asked him.

His eyes dropped to Finn, who’d just pressed into my side. My familiar often got that reaction, even if people had seen him before. His massive size and fierce face was enough to stop most in their tracks. The guard recovered quickly.

“Cruz, originally of the Queens borough pack, now fifty years in the Red Queen’s service.”

I reached out and dropped my hand onto his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Cruz, we’ll find out who did this and they will pay. Tenfold.”

His blond good looks and blue eyes would have made him a favorite of the queen; she liked them sleek and pretty, I had heard. I preferred my boys to be a little manlier, rougher, but I could see that Cruz was going to miss his queen.

As I stepped over the threshold, the scent of death hit me strongly. The scent I’d already been picking up was much stronger on this side of the room. Mixed with the blood was the energy of my queen. Distinct.

Knowing my time was limited, I stepped away from the guards and into the former queen’s personal space. Selene and Calista were right behind me, with Finn at my side.

You can do this, Arianna. I had to give myself this pep talk more than once as I crossed the massive marble floors. I didn’t need directions toward the place of her death. The scent of blood was strong and coppery, the red pool contrasting the white marble, mixed with the burnt aftereffects of old magic. All of it left a bad taste in my mouth.

   
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