Page 178 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“Are you okay?” I jumped at the sound of Nico’s voice. I knew he had followed me, but I didn’t realize he had followed me all the way into my room.

“I’m fine,” I lied.

“Liar.” I looked over my shoulder and glared at him.

“Your cousin was just kidnapped, no sane person would be fine.”

“Whoever said I was sane?” Icountered.

“I mean…”

“I need you to leave,” I gritted, my grip on the couch increasing. I needed him gone. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate with him here. I wouldn’t be able to push my magic as far as I needed with him hovering over me

“I’m not leaving.” He planted himself in one of the chairs in the sitting room. “I’m here to make sure you don’t push yourself too far and get some sleep.”

“I don’t need sleep.”

He raised a silver brow. “I beg to differ.”

“Your presence will interfere with the spell,” I argued.

“Doubtful.” He crossed one leg over his knee. “That’s never stood in the way before. Just think of me as moral support.”

“Fuck off.” I flipped him a vulgar gesture over my shoulder as I made my way to the chest at the end of the bed.

He was silent in the chair as I gathered my materials. I stacked the relics in my arms before making my way to the table by the window.

I set out my materials, referencing my spellbook, making sure I had everything before I mixed the relics in my bowl, trying to ignore the presence of the wolf in the corner.

When I couldn’t resist anymore, I peeked at him over my shoulder. I silently cursed myself when I realized his gaze was set on me, watching me work. He gave me a lopsided smile. I shook my head and turned my attention back to my spell.

I took a deep breath, once everything was mixed, scanning the spellbook one more time to make sure I had committed the spell to memory.

Once I was confident, I brought the note left in Kara’s room to the lantern on the table, carefully placing the corner into the flames. I watched the flame take over the parchment, the blood staining it dissolved into ashes, falling into the bowl under my hands. When all but the corner I was holding had turned to ash I let the paper fall into the bowl with the rest of the ashes. I brought my magic to my fingertips, splashing five drops of waterinto the bowl before pricking my finger and letting five drops of my blood fall in as well.

Using my finger, I mixed the relics in the bowl, the mixture having formed a soft paste of sorts. I scooped the material into my palm, coating the inside of my hands with the substance. Once they were properly coated I locked my hands together in a prayer position, closing my eyes and mumbling the spell.

After several minutes of chanting I could feel the substance coating my palms heat, the texture of the substance shifted, and it felt more grainy now as it absorbed into my skin.

My palms burned slightly as the magic worked its way into my hands, but I kept my palms pressed together as instructed, continuing with my chanting.

I could feel it now, the letter was a part of me. I could feel the paper, the ink, as it worked its way into my bloodstream. The texture of the paper grated against my skin somehow, my veins.

Now where did you come from?Whose hands did you touch?

Lennox, I could sense Lennox.

And Luka.

Both of them had held the letter.

More. I needed more.

I increased the speed of my chanting, pressing my palms together harder.

Who else had this letter come in contact with?

I tasted blood at the back of my throat.

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