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Lily had had little choice but to nod She hadn’t felt ready to tangle with an ancient Egyptian vaht that second

Actually, she still didn’t

In the instant before she opened the door, Lily wondered what she would do if it were Ty on the other side, Ty come to save her, come to confess his love for her, to sweep her away to the life she wanted--a life with him Her mouth curved bitterly Pretty drea herself That had been her choice, and she would have to live with it

Lily felt an icy shiver of fear down her spine as she pulled the door open A h she were a tasty le vampire she’d seen had this unnatural beauty, Lily realized But almost all of them had left her cold And none kindled in her what Ty had the very first night they’d met

Damn it She needed to move on, focus on the present Wasn’t that how he had lived a she sounded relaxed and friendly "Coolden-haired and flawless, with a face that would have made any Renaissance sculptor ith joy His hair was clipped short, but stylishly so, and he wore all black: dress slacks, fitted shirt, everything perfectly tailored Lily was no expert, but she knew that the shoes he earing probably cost e payment

The hair at the back of her neck prickled Herever since she’d set foot in the coht

"Lily," he said with a cold smile "It’s nice to finally meet you I’ve heard a lot about you I must say, I hope at least a little of it’s true Actually, you should hope so too"

He paused, and see for a reaction from her Since all Lily wanted to do was run and lock herself in the closet until he went away, she didn’t say anything The longer he stood there, theto the expression "bad vibes"

Looking slightly annoyed that he hadn’t gotten a rise out of her, the vaht ahead of us The queen would like to see you now"

Lily’s eyes widened, even though she’d proht now?"

The visitor’s long, greenish eyes narrowed speculatively "Yes You announced to my men that you are Lily Quinn, the Seer, yes? Was that incorrect?"

"No, of course not That’s an to bubble beneath her fear She didn’t like being condescended to, and that was how this felt

"Well, then, this shouldn’t be too taxing for you Unless you’re hiding so you don’t want anyone else to know about" He chuckled, a harsh sound "But you wouldn’t be so stupid, I’h you are a human"

Her skin crawled All she could think of was the o fro, like a second heart Uh-oh… that’s new And yet so

"No, I’olden brow "Arsinöe is understandably anxious, little Seer Over two hundred of our blood have been slain now More will undoubtedly die if ait She is convinced you hold the key" His expression indicated he thought otherwise

"Come with me, if you’re ready"

"Ready as I’ll ever be," Lily said, hating the ugly smile that flickered across her escort’s face as he offered his arm Still, she made herself take it She would behave, Lily decided She would do what she was supposed to, hoping like hell that she couldinsane happened that caused furniture to fly around And that hopefully, she could negotiate a deal wherein she stayed alive

They walked out the door and down the hall, past the doors to Arsin&ou set of stairs

"Remember that you will be in the presence of the queen of the Ptole pharaoh," her escort said with a hard look at her "She doesn’t suffer fools well, nor should she have to"

"In other words, behave myself?" Lily asked No, she really didn’t like this character

His mouth thinned "Yes"

"I’ll dohallway, ending at a set of glea, the rise and fall, of ave a sharp rap on one of them The doors were pulled open by a pair of vampires who didn’t look much like the richly dressed Ptolemy she’d encountered thus far They wore severe black One had sandy hair, one brown Both were thin to the point of being borderline gaunt, and there was a feral gleanized all too well