Torment ( Book Two )

Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-five

 Amber peeked over the railing to look down onto the main floor. There was rumor that a girl had come, claiming to be Luna's child.

Amber was nervous. What if it was really her? Her and Luna's relationship would change forever.

She watched from above as Luna rushed into the room, empty except got a few guards and a servant.

"Where is the girl?" Luna asked after a moment, her voice shaking.

The servant spoke up. "I will get her, your Majesty."

Amber watched the servant leave and Luna sit in her throne.

Several minutes later, the servant returned with the girl. Two guards led her into the middle of the room, in front of Luna's throne.

Amber had the perfect spot to see Luna and the girl.

The girl wore a ragged black dress with holes in it. She was barefoot and her caramel skin was cut and visibly dirty. Her black hair was tied high behind her head and she held an old stuffed bunny.

Luna slowly stood and folded her hands in front of her, looking over the girl.

Amber was instantly discouraged. If Luna thought this to be her daughter, she would have rushed to her.

"You are the girl who claims to be my missing child?" Luna asked, her voice still weak.

"Yes, ma'am," the girl replied in a smooth voice.

"Why do you think you are my daughter?"

"Well," the girl shifted and held her doll closer, "I never knew my parents. I've been homeless my whole life. But I smell you often and it smells so... so familiar." She looked down shyly.

"You are a vampire?" Luna asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

Luna seemed to let this sink in. Amber was going insane, dying to know if this was Caroline.

"What is your name, child?"

"I don't know, your Majesty. The people call me Sally."

Luna frowned. "The people?"

"The other homeless people nearby where I stay, Miss Luna."

"Why do they call you Sally? And where do you stay?"

"Because I don't know my real name and neither does anyone else." She smiled. "A woman once told me I looked like a Sally. And I live in Verga, your Majesty. You were just there last night."

Luna was there last night?

Amber noted the girl was very respectful and very pitiful.

"Okay..." Luna mumbled, stepping closer to her.

"I bet a lot of little girls come here blaming to be the queen's daughter, but I swear, it is a possibility I am actually yours," the girl said quickly.

"Nobody has claimed to be mine."

The girl was taken aback. "I wonder why. You're so beautiful. And who wouldn't want to be your child?"

Luna actually blushed. "Wow. Thank you."

There was some silence. "It all makes sense besides one thing," Luna said. "How come you don't smell the way you used to?"

"Um, I do not know, Miss. But I recognize your scent and I have a distant memory of you."

"What memory?"