By the time I get down to the main atrium, I’m still questioning my magic and how to get closer to Renata. I’ll be going down this spiral all night in between re-reading the town’s history again. There’s some useful information there, but it all feels manufactured somehow, like it isn’t the full truth.
Lying next to the pile of books on the counter is a note with something long and thin wrapped in thick, brown paper. Instantly I recognize the handwriting—Gale’s.
Archer,
I know you’ll find this before I’ve returned in the morning. I’m sorry I kept this part of the library hidden from you. Now you know that Rowyn is involved, and I needed to protect her. It’s not that I didn’t trust you, but I needed to be certain of your intentions toward this town and the coven.
Many people have scoured through these texts. Maybe you will see something we didn’t.
See youtomorrow.
Setting the note down and lifting the top half of the paper, I find a skeleton key. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about it other than the intricate design of stacked books at the top.
It leads to the lower, restricted area.
Most town libraries have one, unless the town is too new for any hidden secrets. Briarhollow, at only about three hundred years old, has more than its fair share of secrets, I would bet.
With anxious anticipation, I make my way to the back of the room and try the lock.
The click of it is one of the best sounds I’ve ever heard—with a few exceptions, like the silky teasing of an onyx-eyed beauty.
I’m overwhelmed with where to start, finding hundreds of books down here. My eyes snag on a pile placed perfectly near the bottom of the stairs. Reaching out, I grab the first book.
The Heart, Mind, and Soul of Briarhollow: What’s Left of It
Dated January 1934—eight years after the curse was inflicted.
Glancing down, I look at the next book in the pile.
Tales of Generational Curses, dated June 1874.
There are two more books in the pile, but I don’t bother reading the spines. I sweep up all three and place them on top of the one already in my hand.
Sending a silent thank you to Gale, hoping the wind carries it and bestows upon his dreams, I run back up the stairs. Taking two at a time, I don’t want to waste another second.
I’m positive there’s something in here that will give me more clarity, even if Gale and past librarians were unable to find it themselves.
Maybe my connection to the curse will fit the pieces together.
As I turn the corner to the desk, I take a deep breath and resolve myself to trust my magic through this journey. It’s the only way, even if it feels unnatural.
I’m surprised to find Sybil sitting on her typical stool, hands folded in her lap and glazed eyes fixed forward. Even when she’s in a trance, she’s never been one to sleepwalk, so I don’t have to worry about startling her.
“Bil, you awake?”
Blinking a few times, she turns in my direction, and a smile graces her lips. Despite her zoned out state seconds ago, she’s fully here with me for the time being.
“Couldn’t sleep—I felt like you needed me.” A layer of concern clouds her features, but she tries to hide it. “Is everything okay?”
Sliding into the seat on the other side of the desk, I nod. “Everything is fine.” Biting my lip and flipping the book open, I tell her, “There’s a lot I should fill you in on.”
Sybil knows I’ve always been interested in the history of Briarhollow and our family. She’s never had much interest, so I’ve never bored her with the details I have learned. Since she’s been consumed by her magic, I haven’t wanted to add any stress or confuse her with too much information at once.
And Renata… Well, she was alwaysmine. I’ve been happy to share every aspect of my life with Sybil, but my dreams and the no longer faceless woman were always my secret—too precious and complicated to share with anyone.
Now that I’ve met Renata, our dream state isn’t good enough.
Sybil’s eyebrows furrow at the same time her owl familiar, Echo, lands on her head. Unfazed by the disruption, she shrugs. “Tell me when you’re ready, I trust you. Plus,” she adds ruefully, “Who knows how long I’ll be here?”
