Vincent huffed. ‘We can take care of ourselves.’
‘In the past, maybe,’ said Hugo. But I’m not so sure anymore. So don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone, understood?’
The others mumbled their agreement.
*
‘We’re in Savannah,’ said Katie, pressing her face against the bay window overlooking the street. ‘And this city is gorgeous. Why do you want to stick around here?’
I swept aside the lace curtain and joined her in admiring the view. Rows of historic homes of varying designs and levels nestled neatly along the thick hardwoods on either side of the quiet road. Several people sat outside a cute little coffee shop the next block down. ‘I don’t feel like going anywhere right now. Not with Sebastian—’
Katie grabbed my hand and pulled us away from the window. ‘Hey, you heard Hugo. There’s literally nothing you can do for him right now. Hugo’s going to take care of him. I mean, Sebastian’s his brother.’
‘I know.’ It hadn’t taken much to convince Katie, but I wasn’t so sure. ‘But anyway, I also don’t want to risk anyone recognizing me, since I’m not supposed to be here.’
‘It’s a really big city, Josie. Are you telling me you’re that much of a celebrity in your world that you can’t leave this house?’
‘Definitely not a celebrity. It’s just—’
‘Just what? I mean, come on, you’re over eighteen. You can make your own decisions. Besides, it’s not like they could force you to go home or anything.’
Katie’s question sent a rush of heat to my face. Clan honor and family loyalty wasn’t something I could explain to her in a few sentences. Traditions and stringent expectations were the backbone of everything we were, but they were our customs, not those of the gadje.
Katie was trying hard to understand, and I could’ve hugged her for it. I felt the corner of my mouth lifting in a smile. ‘You know, it’s been a few years since I’ve been here on Outcast business. I guess as long as I stay away from the Court of Shadows …’
‘That’s more like it.’ Katie walked past me to the stairs and swung around on the bannister. ‘I’m mean, after all, you’re doing no one any good just moping around here.’
‘Okay, then,’ I said. ‘What do you want to do?’
‘Shopping and lunch,’ she replied. ‘Be right back.’
Katie bounded off to take a shower, which meant she’d be a while. I did my best to stay out of the path of the sisters. Ferka and Paizi were buzzing like frantic bees, getting everything in order. In two days, hundreds of Outcast Gypsies would descend on our primary Haven for the Summer Gathering, a two-week reunion of clans in our kumpania – which meant the bed and breakfast would soon be crawling with Corsis.
I explored the house while I waited on Katie, finally ending up in the kitchen, where a large pot of soup simmered on the stove, filling the room with the scent of meat and onions. I opened the door to the cellar. I expected cool, musty air, but instead, I smelled and felt the warmth of a fire. Curious, I made my way down the groaning steps into a decently sized room with a low ceiling. Part of the room had been furnished, with a sitting area and a couple of twin beds.
Esmeralda sat in a chair with her nose in a book. Other than the light bulb above the stairs, the only illumination came from a low fire in a small fireplace in the corner.
‘Does the sun bother you, like it does Sebastian?’
Esmeralda turned a page. ‘Not anymore,’ she replied. ‘I just prefer evening hours and dark spaces. Old habits, I suppose.’
‘Ezzie?’
She lifted her eyes from the book she was reading. Their color was hazel, soft and unthreatening, not the silver glint they often took on when she was irritated. I took that as a good sign.
‘Well?’ she said.
‘Can I talk to you?’
The muscles in her neck tightened against her dark hair, but she nodded and set the book aside. She leaned against the back of the antique chair. ‘Yes, of course. I was actually wondering how long it would take you to come find me.’
I settled into the chair opposite her. Embers crackled in a small fireplace, producing enough heat to suck the chill from the underground cellar and make the room comfortable to sit in. I watched their pulsing glow for a few breaths.
‘Ezzie, what happened to you, exactly?’
One of her arched brows lifted. ‘Could you be more specific?’
‘After Markus,’ I said carefully.
Creases formed along her forehead and the sides of her mouth. ‘After Markus died, I was brought before the Sobrasi in their Court in Paris. I thought they would kill me, which would’ve been a sweet release. But instead, they did something much worse. I don’t know how it happened. All I remember is waking up in one of their dungeons … as you see me now.’
‘But how did you end up here?’
‘It is a long story through many years,’ she replied.
‘That’s code for more secrets, I take it.’
She almost smiled. ‘I am not the only one with secrets, Kralitsa.’
My breath caught. The traditional title was reserved only for our rulers. I’d never been called it, but again, no one knew I was the future queen. I lowered my voice. ‘How did you know?’
‘I know many things,’ she said simply. The wrinkles eased around her eyes, smoothing her skin once more. ‘After all, I have been around quite a while.’
‘But how—’
‘You have said it yourself. I am an original guardian. I came into existence as a result of your ancestor himself, Keveco Romany, during the seventh century. The year six hundred and ninety-nine, to be exact.’
My mouth dropped open.
‘But you must remember,’ she continued. ‘I was not awake during all this time. In fact, I slept for hundreds of years.’
I studied her features, this time more carefully. ‘Do you age?’
Ezzie’s lip quirked. ‘We age, the same as all of God’s creation, unless we sleep. During that time, our life is suspended – frozen in stone. The moment we awaken, we become a part of this world, subject to the effects of time once more.’ She tilted her head, seeing the question in my eyes. ‘Why have I not died of old age by now? When the Outcasts fled Europe, I was taken with the Corsi clan, who had found a way to allow me to sleep, even in my human form.’
‘You’ve been alive for hundreds of years,’ I mused. ‘Which means you could be alive for hundreds more, if you slept, I mean. You’re basically immortal.’
She laughed, but I heard pain underneath it. ‘To begin with, I am not nearly as young as I would wish for such a life. But we are not made to live out eternity here, neither shadowen nor humans. Our immortality lies in the hands of God.’ Esmeralda paused, and her fingers touched her neck, gently prodding her faded tattoo. I couldn’t make out the design. ‘I was awakened fifteen years ago,’ she continued. ‘By Zindelo and Nadya Corsi.’
I sat upright in the chair. ‘Hugo’s parents.’
‘They gave me some semblance of life, human though it is. I may no longer be a guardian or have a charge, but I still feel the pull of loyalty and duty to the head of the Corsi clan.’
So that’s why she was always so intent on looking after Hugo and the guys. It wasn’t just because Markus had been a Corsi. I clutched my hands together in my lap as I worked through my thoughts.