an opening door startled her as Sebastian entered the chamber. He greeted her warmly and she was grateful to see a friendly face.
âHer Majesty is ready to see you now.â
Sarah rose; she felt light-headed and dizzy. Smoothing her suitskirt, she took just a moment to compose herself before she followed him into the royal audience chamber.
No Immortal light illuminated this room. Instead, candles by the hundreds cast dancing shadows on the strange being seated on the majestic throne before her. A second unoccupied seat was positioned near the alien monarch.
âWelcome.â The voice of the Queen was soft yet commanding as she rose from her chair and glided across the floor toward the human woman. Sarah could see her legs bend and stretch as she stepped forward, but her gait was so smooth, she appeared to roll across the marble on wheels. Sarah had been afraid of what an alien would look like, but Akira was not frightening; she was beautiful. Her long silver hair reached almost to her knees, glistening as the candle light shimmered on its thick strands. She was tall and lean and her rich purple velvet robes rippled softly as she reached to touch Sarahâs shoulder. Her touch was light, but without warmth or chill, as if she were an inanimate object moving through her inhuman world.
âAnd so you have come to our kingdom.â Sarah was captivated by her strange unblinking eyes. âYou are the first human to see our way of life who has no desire to become an Immortal.â Her voice was as melodious as the voices of all who lived in the Catacombs, yet her demeanor was cool, aloof as would be expected of any Queen. âWe appreciate the courage you show in coming below ground.â
âI am grateful that you have allowed me to be here, your Majesty.â
âYou are here and under our protection for as long as necessary to keep you safe from harm. You are free to move about the Catacombs as you wish. I understand Jane will be attending to your needs. Ask for her guidance at any time.â
Sarah wasnât sure what to expect of her audience, but she didnât think it would end so abruptly. She was startled by the sound of the great door opening as Sebastian entered the chamber.
The Queen spoke her last words. âSarah, please enjoy the delightsof the Catacombs and I know I need not caution you about revealing our presence to those above ground.â Her beautiful mouth was stern as the alien female lowered herself silently onto her throne and watched as Sebastian ushered Sarah from the chamber.
CHAPTER 11
S itting on a cold rock ledge in the heart of a frozen cave, Mariska and Esteban spoke in soft whispers so as not to be heard by the others who were standing nearby.
âThe troops are coming along although the training is slow and treacherous in this deep snow.â
Her forehead wrinkling in a scowl and her lips pulled tightly across her teeth, Mariska spoke angrily to her general. âI do not want to hear of your problems. We must pull this army together to march on London. It was your choice to bring them to this hell hole, now handle it.â
âMy Queen, it is not an easy task to hide a thousand soldiers.â He was silent, looking for the words to tell the furious woman beside him his true thoughts.
âWell, what is it? Speak up.â
âWe know there are over two thousand Immortals. Our thousand soldiers will not be enough to defeat them even if we could surprise them. A thousand undead marching on London would be a death sentence to our cause.â
Jumping to her feet, she stooped so her face was directly in front of his. Menacingly she asked, âWhat are you saying?â
âWithin days DeMarco will leave for London. His troops are loyalto him and will fight to extinction. I have heard dissension among our people. My fear is some will flee. There are even rumors of some wishing to return to the King. Can you not put your anger aside and
âHer Majesty is ready to see you now.â
Sarah rose; she felt light-headed and dizzy. Smoothing her suitskirt, she took just a moment to compose herself before she followed him into the royal audience chamber.
No Immortal light illuminated this room. Instead, candles by the hundreds cast dancing shadows on the strange being seated on the majestic throne before her. A second unoccupied seat was positioned near the alien monarch.
âWelcome.â The voice of the Queen was soft yet commanding as she rose from her chair and glided across the floor toward the human woman. Sarah could see her legs bend and stretch as she stepped forward, but her gait was so smooth, she appeared to roll across the marble on wheels. Sarah had been afraid of what an alien would look like, but Akira was not frightening; she was beautiful. Her long silver hair reached almost to her knees, glistening as the candle light shimmered on its thick strands. She was tall and lean and her rich purple velvet robes rippled softly as she reached to touch Sarahâs shoulder. Her touch was light, but without warmth or chill, as if she were an inanimate object moving through her inhuman world.
âAnd so you have come to our kingdom.â Sarah was captivated by her strange unblinking eyes. âYou are the first human to see our way of life who has no desire to become an Immortal.â Her voice was as melodious as the voices of all who lived in the Catacombs, yet her demeanor was cool, aloof as would be expected of any Queen. âWe appreciate the courage you show in coming below ground.â
âI am grateful that you have allowed me to be here, your Majesty.â
âYou are here and under our protection for as long as necessary to keep you safe from harm. You are free to move about the Catacombs as you wish. I understand Jane will be attending to your needs. Ask for her guidance at any time.â
Sarah wasnât sure what to expect of her audience, but she didnât think it would end so abruptly. She was startled by the sound of the great door opening as Sebastian entered the chamber.
The Queen spoke her last words. âSarah, please enjoy the delightsof the Catacombs and I know I need not caution you about revealing our presence to those above ground.â Her beautiful mouth was stern as the alien female lowered herself silently onto her throne and watched as Sebastian ushered Sarah from the chamber.
CHAPTER 11
S itting on a cold rock ledge in the heart of a frozen cave, Mariska and Esteban spoke in soft whispers so as not to be heard by the others who were standing nearby.
âThe troops are coming along although the training is slow and treacherous in this deep snow.â
Her forehead wrinkling in a scowl and her lips pulled tightly across her teeth, Mariska spoke angrily to her general. âI do not want to hear of your problems. We must pull this army together to march on London. It was your choice to bring them to this hell hole, now handle it.â
âMy Queen, it is not an easy task to hide a thousand soldiers.â He was silent, looking for the words to tell the furious woman beside him his true thoughts.
âWell, what is it? Speak up.â
âWe know there are over two thousand Immortals. Our thousand soldiers will not be enough to defeat them even if we could surprise them. A thousand undead marching on London would be a death sentence to our cause.â
Jumping to her feet, she stooped so her face was directly in front of his. Menacingly she asked, âWhat are you saying?â
âWithin days DeMarco will leave for London. His troops are loyalto him and will fight to extinction. I have heard dissension among our people. My fear is some will flee. There are even rumors of some wishing to return to the King. Can you not put your anger aside and
Similar Books
