His jaw was tight. "Your father."
My heart clenched. My father made that horrible noise? It sounded like a creature in such anguish that death would be a relief.
"Don't cry," Michael said as he stroked my tears away.
"How can I not cry when my father is in so much pain?"
He swallowed. "Come on. Let's see your aunt."
I listened for any more sounds from my father, but there was only silence. We continued on through the castle until we came to an open doorway. I peered inside to see my aunt standing behind a black, marble-footed basin that looked like a very shallow freestanding sink. She stared down into the water as if mesmerized by what she saw there.
"What is she doing?" I whispered to Michael.
Elizabeth raised her head and looked directly at me. Her eyes were demon red, but then faded quickly to a hazel that matched my own. She smiled warmly at me.
"This is my gazer," she said. "I can use it as a communication device as long as whoever I'm trying to contact also has one."
"Like a two-way videophone?"
Her smile widened. "Yes, I'm sure it's very much like that."
She moved away from the basin so I could see that she wore a red dress with long, draping sleeves and gold flowers embroidered at the edges. It was low cut and the material split at the waist to show a black skirt beneath. Her blonde hair was in one thick braid that draped over her left shoulder. She still wore the small blue bottle of perfume from her boyfriend around her neck on a thin gold chain.
"Nikki," she said. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again. I'm so glad Michael has brought you back to see me."
"I'm glad to see you, too."
She approached me to give me a hug and then leaned back to look at me. "Although I'm worried. This means you haven't drunk your potion yet?"
"That's right."
Her forehead furrowed. "What does this mean?"
"It means that I wanted to see you again. And I want to see my father before. . before it's too late." I glanced at Michael, who had slunk back into the shadows at the side of the room and seemed to be studying the floor. "I heard him a minute ago."
"He's gotten much worse, I'm afraid."
"Michael told me there are only hours left. Do you really think so?"
She reached out to squeeze my hand. "It must be terrible for you. To find your father after all this time and then to have him taken from you in such a tragic way."
My throat thickened. "It is terrible."
"I think it's good that you've returned. We must cherish the short time we'll have together. I'll take you to see him if you like."
"As soon as possible."
"Of course." She nodded. "Nikki. . did you happen to bring the potion with you or did you leave it at your home?"
"I have the bottle here." I unzipped my purse and pulled it out to show her. Then, instead of putting it back, I slid the chain over my head and let it drop to my chest.
"Did Desmond tell you that's all the potion there is?" she asked. "Such a small amount for such an important task. It's crucial that you keep it safe."
"He mentioned something like that." I traced my fingertip over the cool vial filled with red liquid, her words making me very nervous. All there is. "But can more be made if necessary?"
"Yes. It's possible, but difficult and time consuming."
She smiled. "It helps the potion makers to command a high price in return for their skills. Supply and demand."
"Can I ask you a hypothetical question that I've been wondering about?" I asked.
"Of course."
"Okay, so let's say somebody drinks a potion, but then something bad happens and they change their mind. Could it be reversed? Is there, like, another potion they could take to cancel out the effects?"
She looked at me with confusion. "Why would that be something you're concerned with?"
"I don't know." I crossed my arms, the whole situation making every muscle in my body tense. "I've been working out all sorts of ideas. I was thinking earlier, what if I drank the potion, waited long enough for you to become queen, and then, if there's a reversal potion, I could drink that so I could remember everything?" I stopped talking and chewed my bottom lip nervously.
"Oh, Nikki." She touched my face. "That is a very clever idea. Yes, the Underworld potion makers always create an anti-potion for everything. It's a byproduct of the potion itself and a very good fail-safe-after all, one can never be too careful when it comes to magical brews."
"It's like an antidote?"
"Yes. But I don't think it'll work," Elizabeth continued. "I'd love for you to keep your memories. I'd love to get to know you and have you visit me once I'm unable to leave the castle. But I'm worried it won't work as well as you think it will."
"Why not?" I asked. I'd already assumed that particular idea of mine might not work, but I was still disappointed it was getting shot down so quickly by my aunt.
"Along with your memories come the problems we had to begin with. The deadly instability of your Darkling status, for one. I've already told you of the poor creatures in the past who've died from harnessing their powers. And also, there is no guarantee that once you drink the anti-potion, the power of the kingdom won't then shift to you, when it realizes that you are again half demon. Your safety is my first concern."
I touched the vial at the end of my chain. "I appreciate that. But maybe I'm different. It's been a long time since the last Darkling."
"Perhaps. But it's too dangerous to take that risk," she said. "You really must drink the potion now."
"I need to see my father first."
She squeezed my hand. "I'll take you when I check in on him shortly. He's sent all of the servants away, now. He doesn't want anyone to see him as he is, but I'm sure he'll make an exception for you."
I swallowed hard, relieved that she didn't want to keep arguing with me about the potion or seeing my father in his current condition. "Thank you."
I wanted to tell her about turning Darkling and being okay, but I decided to listen to Michael. Not yet. She would be more worried than she already was.
I glanced over at her gazer. "Who were you talking to before I got here?"
"My boyfriend. Or rather"-she frowned-"I was trying to speak with him, but I couldn't seem to make contact."
"You mentioned him yesterday," I said. "Who is he?"