“That was my thought. But, on the first day, the vicar just said there’d be three significant tests across the three weeks. He never saidwhenthey’d happen. Why would they make them orderly, like one per week? For all we know, they’ll be back-to-back.” Saipha’s words are heavy. They’ll do whatever it takes to mess with our minds and weed out the weak—the cursed. “To think, even after all we’ve been through, the real tests haven’t even started…”
And, whatever the test is, it won’t be good, neither of us says, but I’m sure we’re both thinking it. It’s bound to be something worse than anything we’ve already endured in here. And it’s coming whether we like it or not.
24
After lunch, Saipha and I split up. She’s happy to let me go to the library on my own while she heads for another workout. I swear Saipha would spend every hour of every day in the training rooms if she could, but there are only so many heavy things I can pick up and put down and pick up again before I need a reprieve. Studying was never really her thing, so she’s happy to wave me goodbye, and I waste no time getting to the library.
There are so many scrolls here—more than I’ve ever seen in my life. There must besomethingthat’d give us an advantage. And with the first test looming, I’m more determined than ever.
The other supplicants apparently don’t agree with me, as the library is completely empty. I head upstairs to the second floor, which has small study rooms and even more bookshelves crammed together in a chaotic, almost claustrophobic manner. Ladders cling to their sides, and each is stuffed with scrolls bound in ribbons of every faded color. The air tastes more thickly of dust and old ink the farther back I go.
I round the corner—only to stop short.
Lucan.
He leans against the shelf I was headed for. Muscles strain against the long sleeves of his linen shirt, making him look less like a boy and more like the carved figure of some warrior scholar. In his hands is an ancient-looking scroll, the ink half faded, that he studies as though it was written just for him.
He doesn’t glance up, but his voice carries across the stillness, low and deliberate. “You certainly know how to keep a guy waiting.” He turns the scroll a little, though I suspect he’s not actually reading anymore.
“I don’t remember saying I’d meet you here.” I make my wayto his side and pretend to focus on the shelves, not wanting him to see that being this close to him has me slightly…off. Like I can’t find my footing when he’s near. I feel the phantom swell of Etherlight resonating between our bodies like it did the last time we were close.
His eyes flick in my direction. “Have you and Saipha reached a decision regarding my proposal?”
“Still considering.”
“How much time do you really need?”
I hum and can’t resist a playful glance in his direction as I run my fingertips along the ends of the scrolls. Their vellum is soft to the touch. “As much as it takes to feel like I can trust you.”
Being stubborn only makes him smile. Not a reaction I’m accustomed to, given how it enrages the vicar, frustrates my friend, and exasperates my father on the best of days. In fact, the only person who’s ever really appreciated my tenacity quite like him is Mum.
“You’d better decide quickly.”
“Or what? Are you going to make the offer to someone else?” I probe to see if he’s found out about the test tomorrow.
“I might start doubting you.” He says it matter-of-factly, not a threat in the slightest. But I can’t stop the pang of hurt that zings between my ribs at the thought of it. I tell myself it is because I don’t like letting people down and has nothing to do with lettinghimdown, specifically.
I shift the topic away from the notion and ask, “What are you reading?”
“Will telling you help my chances of becoming your ally?” he asks.
“It certainly won’t hurt them.”
He wraps up the scroll. The title on the wooden stave that protects the end of the vellum reads:Physiology of Ethershade and the Curse.
“Seems dense.” But fascinating…if I wasn’t too afraid to find out those details and how they might relate to me. The idea of the test being tomorrow is getting under my skin. I haven’t transformedyet. But they’ve only just begun doing their worst. I’m far from confident I’m safe.
“What areyoulooking for in this section?”
“Something on the scourge,” I lie, instantly regretting my choice.Why would I pick that?Fascination about the scourge is dangerous in Vinguard. I blame Mum. The only research I’ve ever enjoyed has been for her.
“Ah, light reading as well.” He shifts and reaches for a scroll on the shelves to his left. “You might find this one interesting, then.”
I unroll it and skim the first bit—it’s a standard summary of everything the Creed teaches about the scourge: That Ethershade blighted the land and twisted its animals. The pinnacle of this deformation was the dragons, tainted humans permanently disfigured into horrific beasts of Ethershade bent on destroying Etherlight. The first and greatest among them being the Elder Dragon, who now guides his hordes against the remnants of humanity—to destroy humans as beings of Etherlight so Ethershade can reign supreme.
As I try to focus on the words, Lucan shifts against the shelf next to me. His broad frame cuts the light streaming from a lantern at the end of the row.
I’m painfully aware of just how close he is, my body buzzing and restless. I look up to find him studying me, like I’m a puzzle he’s close to solving. Too close. “Nothing new here. I think I might check the next row for something more stimulating.” I pass the scroll back to him and turn to leave.
