A Trace of Moonlight Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t need the chains or the guard to tell me that.
    “I have no wish to speak to you,” I said finally, though that wasn’t entirely true. At this point, I couldn’t trust my own instincts as to guide me to who was a friend and who was not. “What is lethe water?”
    “Water from the River Styx . . . or so the legends have it,” the man said mildly, though his tone suggested he didn’t actually believe that. “You drank it to seal a deal. With a daemon. You’re going to be sacrificed, you know.” He smiled.
    I sucked in a deep breath, the truth of it ringing through my ears. Impulsively, I fisted the bells in my pocket, clutching hard enough to bruise. “Take me back to my rooms,” I mumbled to Reginald. “Please.”
    Reginald sighed. “I’m sorry, milady. I cannot leave him to escort you. It’s against orders. And you should be moving along now.”
    I released his arm and tested my leg, hissing at theabrupt flush of heat emanating from the joint. But why? One more mystery of my past I was unlikely to get an answer to. The old man snickered at my grimace.
    “Why should I believe anything you say?”
    “Because I was there, my dear. Gave me a rather unique opportunity, I must say. You’re quite noble in your own way. Stupid, but noble.” The man cocked his head at me, gesturing toward my neck with a rattling of chains as I bristled. “The most pathetic thing of all is that you have the ability to leave . . . whenever you want.”
    Anger snapped through me, a blind rage at the Fae’s attempt to keep me in the dark. Again.
    “ How? What must I do?”
    He answered me with a roll of eyes. “You hold the very key to your freedom right around your neck, woman.”
    I turned away, my finger sliding up to the amulet at my throat. Yet another riddle, I thought bitterly. Talivar had only said it had been a gift from my mother, and I had found that idea very comforting at one point, but now it was merely a reminder of something I didn’t know. I tugged on it experimentally, tracing the heavy stone as it lay in my palm. The well-worn silver filigree caught the sunlight, winking at me.
    Perhaps the necklace was symbolic? Maybe the sacrifice wore it so that everyone would recognize him or her. I could take no chances. It would have to come off. I reached behind me, fumbling with the clasp, but again and again the catch eluded me. Maurice chuckled, his voice merry with amusement. Flushing with frustration, I tried again, pulling on it as hard as I could until it cut into my neck, the silver chain burning.
    “Why won’t it come off?” I snapped, whirling on him.
    “My understanding is that it can’t come off, my dear. Though I do suspect there may actually be a way . . .” His mouth pursed in a sensual pout. “Would you like me to try?”
    Reginald shook his head. “Absolutely not. No one may come within five lengths of the prisoner, under the Queen’s orders. And that includes you, milady.” He tipped his head. “Begging your pardon.”
    “I don’t care.” I drew myself up as regally as I could. Hadn’t Talivar said Moira was my sister? “Everyone knows the Queen’s stepping down,” I bluffed. “When Moira becomes Queen, what do you think that will make me?”
    The guard gave me a look filled with pity and I knew that was the wrong tactic. I tried again. “Look, if I’m going to be . . . sacrificed anyway, what difference does it make if I get close to him or not? After all, I’m going to die, aren’t I?” The guard’s eyes flickered. Answer enough. I let out a barking laugh. “I suppose that’s that.”
    Maurice tsked at me. “A little quick to be giving up, aren’t you? The old Abby wouldn’t have been nearly so cowed.”
    I flushed. “I have no memory of who I was,” I said coldly.
    “For someone who tried to kill you at least once, he’s remarkably altruistic with the advice,” a small voice retorted from my ankles.
    I glanced down at Phineas. “Kill me?” The