Unlikely Queen (Crystal Castle 1)

You think the big bad wolf can save you? The question is followed by a manic laugh, a promise of things to come.

Tatiana jumps in fright as she looks desperately around.

The wolves start circling. Waiting for some indication of what is transpiring.

He can’t save you and neither can his pack. You are simply leading them to their deaths.

“Who are you?” Tatiana commands angrily, surprising John. “Don’t be a coward. Show yourself.”

Such bravery, but oh so stupid.

The voice is taunting, and I’ve just about had enough. “What do you want?”

There is a bounty on you, Talia. The queen is awaiting your arrival.

“The queen will not win!” I yell.

That’s what you think. The warning is followed by another bone-chilling laugh.

“Can someone explain to us what is happening right now?” John all but demands.

Stupid, stupid wolves. The voice has turned almost metallic. Sharp and sinister. He will be the first to die.

Tatiana’s hand flings out, gripping his arm and pulling him close. He studies her reaction but remains silent.

“You can’t hurt us,” my sister spits, determined not to be shaken. “We’re strong together.”

Even with a traitor among you? The voice sounds like it is smiling, having identified a weakness within the group.

Watch who you trust, Talia.

“It’s not true,” I whisper to Tatiana. This thing is just playing mind tricks on us.

There is a silence, and we all wait on a knife’s edge for the next blow. Tatiana’s eyes flick to mine, her knuckles turning white on John’s arm.

A strong gust of wind begins to circle around us, picking up dry earth, leaves, and branches. My long hair whips in my eyes and I shield my face from the debris. Struggling against the force, we gather in a huddle, leaning against each other for support, and wait it out.

When the wind finally ebbs and we’ve dusted ourselves off, we are delivered a final warning.

Let the games begin.

“What do we do now?” Tatiana’s eyes flick to me, loaded with apprehension.

“We keep moving forward.”

“What did you hear?” John asks.

“A voice,” I simply reply.

“Whose voice?”

“I don’t know, exactly. A vampire, most likely.”

I move around them to continue the journey, and the others fall into step, their questions ongoing.

“You both look pretty shaken up,” John observes. “Tell us what the voice said.”

“The vampires know we are coming and will be waiting. The queen has a bounty on my head.” The words fall from my mouth.

“How do they know you’re coming? We’ve only just started the journey.”

This time I stop in my tracks and face him with seriousness written all over my face. “They said a wolf from this pack told them. That I should be careful who I trust.”

Immediately, I feel heat radiating toward me. The wolves don’t appreciate this type of talk, and I understand their anger.

John curses under his breath before eyeing his pack. They stand still, keeping their gazes focused on their leader, every one of them assertive with their shoulders squared.

Then he looks back at me, shaking his head. “It’s none of them,” he says adamantly. “I trust everyone here with my life.”

“I don’t doubt,” I reassure.

We continue on, and I listen to John and Patrick discuss what happened and the potential issues we could now face. With each step I take, the castle on the mountain becomes clearer. Next to it, the moon is beginning its ascension.

The vampires will be waiting for us once the moon is high in the night sky, and I’m not even sure a pack of wolves and two witches will be able to fight them off for long. The wolves are strong and powerful and should be feared, but the vampires are quick and agile and use the power of manipulation to their advantage. They could cast a hypnotic spell with just the sound of their silken voice.

The vampires’ ward is closest to the castle, but the demon crossing is located between them. That is our destination—a risky mission with two enemies having us as their target. We need to summon the demon who bears a long-standing agreement with the queen before a bloody battle ensues.

We navigate the streets through the quad, keeping to the shadows and avoiding the moonlit areas. My palms are sweating, and as soon as I wipe them on my pants they begin to sweat once more. The closer we come to our destination, the more anxious I become.

We are walking behind a wall when John raises his hand, signaling for us to stop.

I move closer to his side, bypassing the other wolves, and look to where he is pointing.

“It’s just over there,” he says. “Between the rock wall of the castle and the neighboring ward.” Ahead is the point where the two roads meet at the junction.

Summoning a demon is something new to me. I don’t even know where to start and have no idea what will come of it. Even if we will walk away alive. Tatiana only knows what she has read, both of us lacking on the practical side of things and the skills that might be required. The how to use them covered, the training and application sorely lacking.