I hastened through the shelves, scanning titles, pulling out anything that looked relevant. Most were in a language I couldn't read, but some had illustrations that told their own stories.
One scroll showed shadow figures with lines connecting them as family trees. Another depicted a ritual with two figures being pulled apart by what looked like moonlight.
Then I found it, a ledger with lists of names. Some were shadow language, but others were human names with dates beside them. Matches. Pairings arranged by the council.
I flipped through, finding entries going back decades. Each pairing had notes beside it:Strength enhanced, Stealth improved, Shadow density increased.
A noise from the hallway sent me scrambling to replace the scrolls. I kept one small document tucked in my tunic, something about the purification caves and ritual practices. I needed to know what we were facing.
I slipped from the archives just as voices approached, ducking into an alcove as two shadow figures passed.
"The feast is prepared. All will attend," one said.
"And the human?" asked the other.
"The drink is prepared. She won't resist."
They were going to drug me. Tonight.
I needed to find Varkolak, to warn him. But how could I escape this labyrinth of stone?
Following the shadows at a distance, I emerged into the main chamber again, now empty of council members. From there, I found my way out of the building, blinking in the sudden sunlight.
It was late afternoon. How long had I been inside? Varkolak would be back from hunting, would look for me.
I started running toward our home, but hadn't made it halfway when a group of shadow creatures surrounded me.
"The human attends the feast," one announced. "By council order."
I considered fighting, but there were too many. Better to play along, find Varkolak at the feast, warn him.
"Fine," I said. "Take me there."
The villagers held the feast in the village center, with long tables laden with food and drink. Shadow creatures mingled. Everyone seemed tense, conversations hushed.
I searched for Varkolak, but couldn't find him.
"Looking for your mate?" The central council member appeared beside me, offering a goblet. "Drink. It's traditional."
I took the cup but didn't drink. "Where is he?"
"Preparing. There are customs he must observe." The shadow nodded to my untouched goblet. "Drink. To refuse is to insult our hospitality."
I raised the cup to my lips, pretending to sip while watching the council member over the rim. Their posture relaxed slightly.
"What customs?" I asked.
"Ancient ways. Shadow ways." They gestured to a group of elders. "Ask them. They love to speak of the old times."
It was a dismissal. As soon as the council member moved away, I emptied my goblet into a nearby plant and approached the elders, hoping for information.
But the council was more observant than I'd given them credit for. Another cup appeared in my hand, delivered by a silent server.
"You must be thirsty after your adventures today," said a voice behind me.
The seer.
"I'm fine," I said.
