Sweyn pointed to me. “Lord Everest, tap into the tickling’s mind and see what you can find. I expect to hear the answers in English.”

I wondered which language she spoke originally. Or where she lived back then. Avolire had not existed. I had more questions about my enemy now than I realized. My mind was so preoccupied with my curiosities that I didn’t realize what was about to happen until it happened.

When Everest took me by the waist then sank his fangs into my throat. I gasped and my back arched.

“Do not react,” he spoke into my mind the way he always did. “Close your eyes and follow my lead.”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

After a moment, he pulled back and licked over the wound he’d made on my skin. I shivered and it made Sweyn giggle. She looked to Everest with expectant eyes.

He licked his lips and stepped back to her side. “Her name is María. She is from Spain and does not remember who turned her. The Coven found her and have delivered her to you, with a spell placed upon her ear to allow her to understand English despite only speaking Spanish.”

Sweyn grinned. “So, The Coven found you and abandoned you on my doorstep, surprised they didn’t just kill you outright. Then again, that face is too pretty to destroy.”

I bowed again. “Gracias, mi reina.”

“Katelin.” Sweyn snapped her fingers. “Take the tickling to her new room. Give her something more . . . appropriate to wear. I do not care for whatever this style Spain is wearing, it looks old. Have her change then we shall show her how we live here.”

A young-looking woman stepped out in front of me and bowed to Sweyn. “Yes, my Queen.”

When she spun to face me, I had to bite my cheek to stop myself from gasping. It was Katelin, the vampire I’d met in Avolire with purple hair. She was blonde here, but I was certain it was the same person.

“Katelin, dress her for a ball.” Sweyn stood and addressed the court. “Tonight, we have cause to celebrate.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

FRANKIE

“This is the dress room.”

Katelin walked in and made a right turn. I followed her but instead of turning I went across the stone floor to the curved wall with open arched windows. I hadn’t realized how far we’d walked to get here but this was definitely the back side of the castle. From the second floor the view of the snow-covered trees and mountains in the distance were breathtaking. And then I remembered where I was. I shivered and wrapped my arms around my waist.

The Land of the Lore was out there somewhere, lurking in the shadows right in front of us and just out of sight.