CHAPTER EIGHT
672 Words
CHAPTER 8: THE HOLLOW QUEEN
(Selene’s POV)
The Hollow Queen’s domain was buried deep within the undercity, past twisting corridors and guarded passageways few dared to enter.
Her lair—The Gilded Hollow—was nothing like the crumbling tunnels surrounding it. The moment Damian and I stepped inside, it was like walking into another world.
Gold chandeliers cast a soft, flickering light over velvet-draped walls. The air smelled of incense and something sweeter, something laced with power. Tables were filled with gamblers, spies, and creatures of the night, all pretending they weren’t terrified of the woman who ruled this place.
And at the center of it all—sitting on a throne carved from obsidian and bone—was the Hollow Queen herself.
I had met her once.
It was enough to know that she was not someone to be crossed.
She was tall, striking, her dark skin glowing in the candlelight. Golden tattoos wound around her arms like shimmering snakes, and her eyes—piercing, clever, and cruel—fixed on me the second I stepped forward.
"Selene Vaughn," she purred, resting her chin against her knuckles. "Haven’t seen you in a while."
I forced a smirk. "Miss me?"
A low chuckle. "Not particularly. But you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t desperate."
Damian shifted beside me, tension rolling off him in waves. He did not trust her.
Smart man.
I cut straight to the point. "I need the Moonstone of Elaris."
A ripple of amusement passed through the room. Some of the watching figures even laughed.
The Hollow Queen just tilted her head. "Oh? And what makes you think I have it?"
Silas had been right. She wasn’t going to make this easy.
"Because you collect dangerous things," I said, my voice steady. "And there’s nothing more dangerous than an artifact that can bend fate itself."
A slow smile spread across her lips. "Clever girl."
I didn’t like the way she was looking at me now. Like she was sizing me up.
Damian stiffened as the Queen stood, descending the steps of her throne with a predatory grace.
"You want the Moonstone," she mused. "And what will you give me in return?"
I had been expecting this. The Hollow Queen never gave anything.
She only took.
"Name your price."
A dangerous gleam entered her eyes. "Very well."
She stepped closer—too close—until I could smell the faint, exotic spice of her perfume.
Then she whispered, "Bring me Lord Vincent Devereaux’s heart."
Silence.
Even the gamblers in the corner stopped their games.
Damian let out a slow, controlled breath. "You can’t be serious."
The Queen merely smiled. "Oh, I am."
I kept my expression unreadable, but my mind was racing.
Killing Devereaux?
It wasn’t impossible.
But it wasn’t simple, either. He was a monster, but he was also one of the most powerful vampires in Ravenshade. Taking him down would take time, planning—
And a hell of a lot of luck.
"You’re asking for a war," I said carefully.
The Queen’s smile didn’t waver. "I’m asking for justice."
A flick of her fingers, and a bloody dagger was tossed at my feet.
"Devereaux stole something from me," she said, her voice smooth. "And I want it back. But I want him to pay for it. I want him to feel the same fear he’s inflicted on others."
I swallowed, my fingers twitching at my sides.
This was a test.
A trap.
And yet…
I wanted Devereaux dead.
But was I willing to make a deal with another devil to do it?
Damian moved closer, his warmth grounding me. "Selene," he murmured, low enough that only I could hear. "This isn’t our fight."
I glanced at him. But it is.
Devereaux had cursed him. Devereaux had spent years hunting me.
Maybe the Hollow Queen wasn’t the only one who wanted him to suffer.
Slowly, I bent down, picking up the dagger.
And when I looked back at the Hollow Queen, I met her gaze without flinching.
"Deal."
- Writer
