CHAPTER five
“She has agreed to see you,” the nurse told Vipin and Rina. “Frankly, I am surprised. Her Highness sees no one. Please do not upset her.”
“We won’t,” Rina promised.
When Vipin started hinting that Sekheret might be an Oldblood, it was Rina’s idea to visit Sekheret’s mother, supposedly senile and living in a plush but heavily guarded nursing home on the east side of the river.
The nurse held the door for them as they entered the old lady’s room, but did not follow them in.
Princess Saloni was sitting upright in bed, propped up by a pile of embroidered pillows. She looked small and shrunken, much older than her sixty-seven years.
“This must be about my son,” she said suddenly. “Close the door, please.”
“How did you know?” Vipin asked.
“You are an Oldblood—don’t deny it,
