Page 28 of Breaking the Bloodstone Curse
“What does it say?” Brax asked because as she read it, her expression was first puzzled, then worried.
“Here—you read it.” She passed the yellowed parchment to him. “It doesn’t seem to make any sense.”
Brax took the paper and read aloud.
“See it once
Or see it twice
You must beware?—
You’re on thin ice!
See it thrice,
Four times or more,
Pack your bags,
Look for the door.
See it seven,
Watch your breath.
Forget your name
Or face your death.”
He frowned as he finished reading.
“What in the Seven Hells? You’re right—that doesn’t make any sense.”
“It sounds so ominous though—what does it mean, ‘Forget your name or face your death?’” Serenai shivered. “I wish there was someone we could ask.” She looked up. “Robbi, did my mother say anything about reading this poem we found with the necklace?” she asked him.
He shook his head.
“I am afraid not, Mistress. But if you are hoping to find someone to ask about the necklace, I believe Mistress Trembledamp might be the one to speak to. She is the foremost expert on Bloodstones in all of Opulex. Your mother made an appointment to see her a few days after she received the necklace.”
“She did? What did she say Mistress Trembledamp said about it?” Serenai asked.
“I am afraid Mistress Bloodlash died before she was able to keep her appointment,” Robbi said. “Would you like me to contact Mistress Trembledamp and ask her to see you?”
“Yes, please!” Serenai nodded. “The sooner the better. Maybe she can shed some light on this.”
Robbi cocked his head to one side and his yellow eyes started flickering rapidly. For a moment, they heard a thin, high string of what sounded like garbled speech—or possibly language speeded up so fast it was incomprehensible.
A moment later, the robo-butler’s eyes stopped flickering and he spoke.
“I spoke to her assistant—another robot butler like myself. Her schedule is full for today, but she has an opening tomorrow.”
“Okay, that’s good. We’ll see her then.” Serenai nodded.
“Mistress Trembledamp’s assistant also asked me to remind you that his Mistress is very observant of custom and tradition,” Robbi went on. “She will expect your bodyslave to make a proper obeisance to you when you are announced in her presence and she expects you to discipline him if he misbehaves in any way.”
“What? What’s that supposed to mean?” Serenai sounded indignant. “Brax knows how to behave himself! There’s no need for me to punish him just to make her happy.”
“I think what he means is that I’ll need to kiss your panties when her footman announces us,” Brax told her. He couldn’t help picturing tasting his new little Mistress as he spoke. Gods, the Thirst was tormenting him! But he knew he couldn’t do anything about it until she was ready to let him taste her.
