Naomi read the paragraph below the image again. “Amelie hasn’t given a human a Protection agreement since she founded Morganville,” she said, “save those she put in Founder Houses. Each had to be made for the person, and could not be used again. They were made with …” Her eyes widened. “With a drop of draug blood in the metal. And when the last of it was used up, she could make no more. Claire’s was the last.”

“But she doesn’t have it!” I protested. “Really! Claire hasn’t worn it for—for almost a year!”

“And yet she can see Magnus, separate him out from his reflections and shadows.” Naomi’s smile took on sharp edges. And teeth. “The bracelet infected her with just a tiny inoculation of draug blood, as it had all of those in the Founder Houses who wore them when the vampires first came here. They were Amelie’s eyes. Amelie’s early warning. And that is why Claire continues to see him, and why Magnus wants her dead, very badly.”

“Then why didn’t Amelie use her to find him?”

“Because she didn’t realize the charm still worked, of course. Not until it was too late. The girl no longer wore the bracelet; it was reasonable to assume that she no longer had the ability.”

Oh, I didn’t like this. I didn’t like it at all. “You’re not going to hurt Claire.”

“Of course not. Good work, Eve. Very satisfactory work indeed. Your brother’s agreement has been canceled. I won’t touch him again. I make you that solemn pledge.”

I didn’t believe that first part at all. I stood up in a rush, hands in fists. “What are you going to do to Claire?”

“Nothing,” she said. “Nothing at all. She’s a good pet to keep, for the future. I’m sure we can make great use of her, Eve.” She gave me that sweet, charming smile again, the expression of a marble angel. “And of you, of course. All will be well. You must trust me. When I am queen, you will do very well indeed.”

“Queen of what?”

“Morganville. Of course.” Naomi seemed way too complacent now. “Now that you’ve found this volume, we can construct more of these bracelets, whether Myrnin cooperates or not. And draug blood will surely not be in short supply when Oliver is finished. He will win, of course. I have every confidence in him as a military leader. Just not as a ruler.”

I was in over my head. Way, way over, and I knew it. “Amelie’s the ruler of Morganville,” I said. “And I have the feeling she’ll never let you near that title.”

“My sister is dying,” Naomi said. For a moment there was a flash of sadness in her eyes—almost real. Almost. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

That earned me a look that was back to cool, calm remoteness. “I don’t answer your questions,” she said. “You haven’t yet earned those rights from me. Careful how you address your queen, Eve. You are not married to Michael just yet. Now come.”