Faustine by Imogen Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

something else.” She paused.
    “What?”
    She chewed on her upper lip. “Brace yourself. On the far end of the restroom, just above the sink, written in red on the mirror was a note.” She stopped again.
    “Oh come on, out with it,” I said impatiently.
    She nodded. “It said, Eat That, Demon Princess .”

 

     
    A wakened by sunlight streaming through my window, I turned to the giant pink bunny on my bed and sighed. Playtime was over. One thing was clear: I would need to take this demon-sovereign thing seriously. Very seriously. Whoever had left that bloody note for me clearly meant it as a warning. But, a warning about what? Maybe it was a warning not to try to govern London in my dad’s absence. Like I had a choice. It was pretty clear that I didn’t. Given the option, I’d much rather spend my time being a normal teen and concentrating all my efforts on becoming queen bee at school. Sheesh, it was going to take an enormous amount of effort to navigate the complicated politics of high school. I really didn’t need this extra load added to my daily routine.
    From out of nowhere, I felt a sudden breeze across my face, just before Ryker appeared.
    “Oh my gosh! You scared me!” I said, sitting up.
    “Sorry! I thought you’d want some company after what happened last night.”
    “I do, but I want to get dressed first. Can you meet me in half an hour? Just ring the front doorbell, and I’ll invite you in for breakfast.”
    “Okay. Parting kiss?”
    I smiled and kissed his nose before he disappeared again. I’d have to get used to his wandering. Poof, he was here. Poof, he was gone. Weird stuff. And, we’d have to make some rules. No appearing just whenever ! That could lead to all kinds of embarrassing moments. I sighed. He did make me feel pretty wonderful, but I would have to learn to rein in my emotions. I closed my eyes and relived the sensations I’d felt when he’d kissed me last night. I felt the same burning sensation start up again in my hands, and I tried holding my breath to temper it. It seemed to work, but I would need to practice some more. Now wasn’t the time, though.
    I got ready fast. It was going to be a busy day. I threw on a blue cotton dress after a quick shower, then blow dried my hair. A dab of lip gloss and I was ready. The doorbell sounded as I walked into the dining room. Mom was already sitting at the table, leafing through a newspaper, so I waved at her to indicate that I would get the door.
    “Mom, this is Ryker. He’s a friend from Bonfire Academy,” I introduced, as they shook hands.
    “Nice to meet you, Ryker,” Mom said, pointing him to a chair. “Sit down and have some breakfast with us. Are you allowed to tell me what you are, being from the Academy?” she queried.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Lady Annabel. Sure, I can share that with you. I’m a Wanderer.”
    “Oh, lovely. Sigma?”
    “Mom? You know about Wanderers?” I asked, surprised. “I’d never heard of them before I went to the Academy.”
    “I’ve picked up on a few things since I met your father,” she smiled. “Have you heard from him, by the way? He was going to pop in for dinner last night but didn’t show.”
    “Nope. But I wasn’t really expecting to hear from him,” I said. No point in worrying her. Mom had been told very little about the emergency, which had caused her to be sequestered temporarily at the Waldorf. Thankfully, over the years, Mom had learned not to meddle or ask too many questions about the paranormal activities surrounding my dad. The secrecy must irk her, though, along with all of those unexplained dinner no-shows.
    “So, did you have a good time at the party last night? I gathered from Neave–and your other friends who came by last night–that there was some drama. There’s a story in this morning’s newspaper about a murder at a club in the village. Was that the same club you were at last night? Do you know anything about it?” she asked, looking at me