The Vampire Gift 2: Kingdom of Ash by E.M. Knight

have left?”
    It rankles me how easily she dismisses James—and makes light of how easy it was for her to treat Phillip and me as nothing more than vermin when Eleira got away.
    “Shall I continue, then?” Victoria asks.
    Mother nods. “Please.”
    I listen on as Victoria starts to describe the inner workings of The Crypts. She talks about their defenses, their strengths, their weaknesses. She goes on and on about the ruling class, and how Father has fortified his coven to be a near-impenetrable fortress.
    But her information is only surface-deep. There are no great insights she provides.
    I grow tired of it. “Enough,” I say. “Mother, James or I could have told you as much from having visited. She is not telling you anything useful.”
    Victoria sneaks a malicious glare at me when she thinks I’m not looking. I catch it.
    “She should remain in chains underground,” I say. “I came here with Phillip to discuss things of actual importance to The Haven. Not to listen to her prattle on and on about frivolities in The Crypts.”
    Mother ignores me. “You must excuse my son,” she says. “He’s had a difficult few days. He thinks only of himself—”
    “That’s not true,” I growl.
    “Perhaps of Eleira, too,” she concedes. “But little more.”
    Mother stands and walks to the open window. She looks out into the night. “Victoria, why don’t you tell all of us of the link you have with my eldest son’s beloved?”
    That request makes Victoria stop short. Her confidence wavers. “Excuse me?” she asks, thrown off-balance.
    Phillip and I make eye contact. Ever so subtly, he shakes his head, indicating he doesn’t know what Mother’s talking about either.
    Neither of us missed her referring to me as “eldest,” either.
    It means she is truly set in her verdict against James.
    “The link, sweetest,” Mother repeats, still looking out into the night. “Oh, poor thing, you didn’t think you’d be able to hide it from me, did you?”
    Victoria looks like she’s swallowed a plum. “It’s only a trifling thing— ” she begins.
    Mother turns on her in a fury. “Do NOT lie to me!” she screams. Power crackles out from her like a storm. A sudden wind blows through the window, making her dress and hair flare. She looks more menacing than ever. “I know it was your blood Eleira tasted first! I know the ritual you attempted to perform! How else, why else, would my precious human witch come back here bearing the full powers of The Ancient ? It is only through you!”
    The wind dies. The storm of electricity ebbs away. Everything goes still again, but the reverberations of Mother’s words echo around us and through the room like ghouls haunting the place.
    Victoria blinks, maybe frightened—maybe acting? She gives a series of small nods. “You’re right, of course. You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s only that, I’m just beginning to understand the link myself—”
    “Another lie,” Mother cuts her off. “Very well, child. If you insist on playing games, perhaps some time in the Silver Cell would be good for you.” She glances at Phillip, who supressed a quick shudder. “Smithson, why don’t you escort our guest to her quarters at the top of the castle? She can emerge after I decide enough time has passed for her to reconsider some of her… attitudes.”
    “With pleasure, my Queen,” Smithson bows. He goes to Victoria and twists both her arms behind her back. The petite vampire doesn’t struggle against him, even though I know she easily rivals him in pure strength.
    “Try anything I wouldn’t like,” Mother warns, “and you’ll find out just how well your borrowed power stands up against my true witchcraft.” She gives Victoria a nasty smile. “Fair warning. Ta-ta.”
    With that, Smithson leads her out the room.
    The doors close. Mother, Phillip and I are finally alone.
    “Well!” Mother says. “That was certainly something. Wouldn’t you say?”
    “You’re toying with