Astrid resisted the urge to shift nervously in her seat. Arcann and the Queen were both staring at her, studying her every movement. At last the Queen moved her feet from the table and leaned forward so that her elbows were propped on it instead. "Astrid," she said coolly. "Do you know what you are?"
"No," Astrid replied, meeting the Queen's gaze as respectfully as she could manage. "I only know that I'm different."
The Queen pursed her lips. "I thought as much," she murmured. Her silver eyes glittered in the dim light, hungry and cunning. "Hold out your palm."
Astrid felt queasy but did as she was asked, stretching out her arm so that the palm was facing upward. The Queen grabbed it in her icy fingers and ran a nail along the skin. Astrid flinched, but didn't dare look away as the Que
