Page 78 of House of Crimson Hearts
“What map?” Gabriel says, closing all his books and sitting upright.
Of course, he’s affronted that he hasn’t heard of this map, for he knows everything about everything important—as long as it hasn’t come from this century. The man is a literal vault of historical records. If we’re going hunting for an ancient map, we’re all fucked because he will clearly win this round. I’d assumed the trials would play to my strengths. But Dahlia is twitching in her seat and I’m wondering if I shouldn’t have been quite so cocky.
“The map is the lost amulet map, which means this is a two part-trial.”
“The amulet of the dhampirs?” Fenella says.
Everyone turns to Mother’s desk where Sadie and Fenella are. Mother’s eyes narrow, not with suspicion, but curiosity.
Another piece of my ego shreds, this definitely won’t be as easy as I thought.
Mother nods. “That’s right, would you like to tell everyone the myth that surrounds the amulet?”
Fenella shakes her head. “I’ve only heard of it, I don’t know much about it.”
The Chief takes over, “Millennia ago, our myths say that the witch-gods gave the dhampirs a magical amulet. The amulet was kept in a secret location. Stored as one of their most precious gifts and most powerful of magics. Only a few knew its location.”
Cordelia is nodding like they’re old friends recounting a story together, and it is the weirdest thing to witness. It’s like the very fabric of the city is shifting and I truly wonder whether this was Mother’s plan. Is she having her second Morose Mourning? Is she really so tired of life that she wants to retire and make peace with the hunters?
I find it difficult to swallow that thought, but the way she’s acting is in accordance with what she’s saying. Except vampires don’t change. Or maybe they do, but they don’t do a one-eighty shift overnight. And just the other day, Mother was planning battle strategy against the border cities to take more land back from the hunters.
No. This is just exceptional acting from Mother. I need to get her alone and find out what’s going on.
The Chief continues. “The amulet is said to be the most powerful magical device in existence.”
“Why? What can it do?” Sadie signs.
Gabriel relays Sadie’s words.
The Chief turns to Sadie and talks to her directly, “It’s said to preserve whatever it holds. It has a compartment inside it that is magically protected from everything, anything. From the elements, war, magic. It’s impenetrable to weapons and diamonds and anything you can throw at it. It’s the safest place in the world.”
“But…?” Dahlia says.
The Chief sighs, “But the amulet was lost. It was lost during one of the wars centuries ago.”
“So how the hell do we find it?” Xavier says, running a hand through his mop.
Mother opens her arms, her eyes bright. “That is where the map comes in. The amulet map was spelled. Connected magically to the amulet. The illustration on the map changes as the amulet’s location changes. If the amulet stays where it is then the map’s image remains static. It’s essentially able to track the amulet no matter where it is. No matter the city or body of containment, the map can always locate it.”
Red frowns. “How come we never knew about this? It sounds like it’s part of our history and an integral part of it.”
“It’s part of the dhampir’s history,” the Chief says.
“And how do you know about that?” Gabriel says, his tone accusing.
“Gods, Gabriel, you don’t own history,” Xavier says.
“Fuck off, Xavier, at least I have a brain.”
“At least I’ve been laid this century.”
“CHILDREN,” Cordelia snaps.
The other hunters in the room, Lincoln, Tallula, Keir, all give each other the side-eye. They all have stiff backs and wild gazes that are constantly scanning the room as if expecting sudden movements and surprise attacks.
I don’t blame them.
I’m well aware that my siblings and I squabble like we’re teenagers, but honestly, this is our love language. I think we’d all be a lot unhappier if we didn’t bicker. I don’t think any of us know how to show affection in any other way.
