The Queen's Assassin (Queen's Secret #1) - Melissa de la Cruz Page 0,111

Princess Lilac,” Shadow’s mother says finally. “The princess is in Montrice with the queen, and she is not safe. The two of you must discover the truth about the duke as soon as possible. The queen herself orders this.”

“Where are the princess and the queen now?” asks Cal.

“All I can tell you is that they are safe in Montrice,” says Shadow’s mother.

Shadow perks up. “I am given this assignment as well?”

Shadow’s mother studies her for a long time, then nods.

The princess has always been a target, Cal knows. His own father told him this. The Aphrasians will stop at nothing to render her death.

Aunt Mesha bustles at the table. “Would anyone like more to eat?” They all decline. Cal wishes he could fit more away, but he just can’t. He stands and clears the table for his hostesses.

Once the table is clear and the dishes are done, Aunt Mesha takes Cal by the arm and walks with him to the front door. “Darling, would you mind terribly if we have a moment alone with Shadow?”

“Of course.” She puts him off guard by giving him a quick hug before walking back inside. He decides to admire the gardens while Shadow speaks with her aunts and mother.

Though he’s some distance from the house, he hears everyone talking before it falls eerily silent again. A minute or two later he hears stomping and shouting, then Shadow bursts out the door. Cal sees she’s changed. Agitated. She heads straight to the road without looking at him. Her aunts follow after her. Moriah’s eyes are red and puffy. She holds on to Mesha for support. Shadow’s mother does not come out of the house.

“Is everything all right?” Cal calls out. None of them pay attention to him—they seem to be lost in their own world—unaware he’s there anymore. They just walk past him, toward Shadow.

He watches them from afar as they argue, or rather, as Shadow does, her arms flailing around. The aunts seem to be trying to calm her down. Cal stands around near the house, unsure what he should do. Should he go inside, talk to Shadow’s mother maybe?

Finally, Aunt Mesha walks back toward him. “The coach will return in a little while and bring you back to the Girt estate. There is little time to spare. If the Aphrasians have a way to deflect magic and strengthen their own, then even the Guild does not stand a chance against them. We don’t know how much time we have before the enemy strikes. You must uncover the conspirator before they reach the princess. Lilac must live.”

“I understand,” Cal tells her.

“I’m not sure you do. But we believe in you. Both of you.” She smiles at him. “Find the Montrician conspirator and take care of them, by whatever means necessary.”

Cal nods.

She pauses, then continues. “There’s not a lot we can do to assist you, but we’ll do what we can. For now, we’d like to bestow a protection charm upon both of you, if you are agreeable to it. From that, we can give you each a talisman to carry.”

He’s never experienced something like that, but he doesn’t see how it can hurt. “Thank you,” he says. “I would be grateful.”

* * *

CAL WALKS OUT TO the back field with Mesha to meet Shadow and Aunt Moriah in an open space behind the barn.

They join hands around a small stone fire pit. Shadow stares blankly into the flames. He is eager to know what happened in the house. For now he’ll have to wait.

The women begin chanting in unison: “Deia, hear our call; please assist these dear souls as they fight to do right, mend what’s been broken, and restore the rightful ways of the world.”

The flames flicker. A soft breeze blows past them. The aunts exchange a knowing smile. “Now you two may join hands so the spell can be sealed,” Mesha says.

Cal takes Shadow’s hands in his. She keeps her eyes down. The aunts walk around them, spreading salt and dried herbs from tiny drawstring pouches they’ve pulled from their belts. They continue the chant: “Deia,