would know better than I, as you, too, are human, but do you think Mrs. Muir or her daughter could have betrayed us?”

“No, my lady,” she said firmly. “At first, they were frightened of you, which made them keep your presence a secret, but you watched what happened. They changed as they got to know you and as they witnessed your glory and your power night after night. I also believe wee Denise’s sacrifice moved them greatly. Humans are not as gifted or as powerful as vampyres, but we have an almost unlimited capacity for love and loyalty. My intuition says that they worship you and are faithful.”

Neferet shook back her blond wig and looked relieved before her eyes narrowed. “Loren—that weak fool. I should’ve gone to him—surprised him—gotten the information I needed and then ended his pathetic life. If someone betrayed me, it was Loren.”

“My lady, I didn’t see anyone from our world with the group at the park, and I definitely would have recognized our Stark or any of the other higher-ranking vampyres.”

“Did you see a Warrior who looked Native American? He would have had a red tattoo of a fully Changed vampyre that is highly ornate.”

Lynette reviewed in her mind the Warriors before answering. “No. None of the vampyres looked Native American except for Zoey, and there was only one Son of Erebus Warrior who had a red tattoo, and that was Stark.”

“Had Kevin crossed through the portal he definitely would have been at his sister’s side. It could simply be that this world’s Aphrodite is also a prophetess, and Nyx has warned her of my presence.”

“Oh, that reminds me—this Aphrodite’s Mark is highly unusual.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s red and blue. I couldn’t make out the pattern, but she was closest to the bison spirits and they were glowing, which allowed me to see her Mark,” said Lynette.

“And you’re quite positive it is red and blue?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“Then this world’s Aphrodite is definitely a powerful prophetess. We must assume Nyx has warned her with a vision.”

Stress pressed down on Lynette, making her shoulders burn and her stomach churn. “Neferet, my lady, are you sure we shouldn’t just call the sprites and have them return us to our world?”

Neferet stopped on the dark sidewalk in the sleepy midtown neighborhood and faced Lynette. “I understand your fear. I, too, feel the trap of this world—this Tulsa I do not know. But I need the secret their Neferet holds. More than that, what if it were I trapped there? Would you leave me thus, starving and consumed with anger?”

Lynette’s shoulders slumped. “No, never. I would do anything to help you escape. I’m just worried.”

“As am I, though I do have a plan. I believe I know how to break the seal and loose Neferet.”

“But you can’t get close to the tomb,” said Lynette.

“My new plan does not call for me to approach the tomb—only my children. And they are not vampyres.”

Hope fluttered in Lynette’s chest. “So, nothing will stop them from getting to the tomb.”

“Exactly. I must warn you, though, my dearest. My plan is bloody. It requires sacrifice and death.”

“Well, I have lived most of my life following the old adage, nothing good comes easily.”

Neferet smiled. “We are very alike.”

“That is a wonderful compliment,” said Lynette, returning her mistress’s smile.

Lynette felt considerably lighter. “My lady, my intuition says those five young women will play a key role in your plan.”

“As you have said many times—your intuition is rarely wrong.”

Neferet looped her arm through Lynette’s and they began walking again, this time more briskly as they turned toward Twentieth Street and the villa filled with easily manipulated young women.

“Now, my dearest, I must feed, and I would save you the discomfort of watching me do so on an unwilling human.”

“That is kind of you, my lady.”

“Not at all. I agree with your distaste. I abhor the messiness that goes along with feeding in the wild.” She sighed. “No matter. What I truly need you to do is to go ahead of me to the villa and do several preparatory things.”

“Of course, my lady.”

But instead of beginning a lengthy list of tasks, Neferet stopped and grinned, grinned at Lynette—as if they were girlfriends sharing a secret—and said, “I do miss that little computer device you tap-tap-tapped on so very much back in our world.”

Lynette returned the grin, feeling better than she had since they’d arrived in this strange world. “I do too. But my mind is sharp, and I will remember everything you require.”

“Oh, I do not doubt it for a moment. So,” Neferet began walking again, her arm still looped with Lynette’s, “the spellwork Zoey did today changes things, but not drastically. The first thing I must do has not altered at all. We will need concealment tomorrow night. When you reach the villa, you must ready four ornate bowls of offerings. Honey and wine in two, of course, and then use your imagination. You’ve witnessed my offerings over the past week. I trust you to know what is appropriate.”

“You’re going to summon the sprites?”

“Yes. I could, of course, go through the trouble of casting a circle and coaxing the weather I wish from the clouds, but why should I when I can simply call on assistance from the sprites?”

“You’ll need a payment.”

Neferet nodded absently. “Yes, yes, I know. That’s why when you take the filled bowls and place them around that lovely fountain in the backyard of the villa I want you to also put my sgian dubh there as well—with a basin of warm water, a towel, and soap to wash off this horrid makeup that is concealing my Mark.”

Lynette squeezed Neferet’s arm. “Please be careful, my lady.”

“You need not worry yourself, dearest. I ask a small thing from the sprites. My blood sacrifice should suffice.”

“You will call the sprites to the villa grounds?”

“Yes. The wretched taste of those girls has not extended to the grounds. It is modest in size, but rather lovely.”

“My lady, I have an idea

Вы читаете Found
Добавить отзыв
ВСЕ ОТЗЫВЫ О КНИГЕ В ИЗБРАННОЕ

0

Вы можете отметить интересные вам фрагменты текста, которые будут доступны по уникальной ссылке в адресной строке браузера.

Отметить Добавить цитату