It's a chaotic place, full of boxes and more shelves packed with books. But what catches my attention is a glowing circle in the center of the room, surrounded by strange symbols and illuminating the walls with a blue-green glow.
I stay away just in case, these last few days I've seen enough weird things not to step inside a circle that emits light. However, my gaze immediately stops on something else: on a nearby table is my book, placed as if waiting for me.
I advance cautiously, trying to ignore the circle of light on the floor. When I reach the table, I leave the money Colt received and take the book.
“I'm sorry, but I have to go,” I murmur, though I'm not sure Pearshield can hear me from wherever he's hiding, assuming he's still in the store.
I turn to leave, but something pulls me. An invisible force that drags me backward. I try to resist, I cling to the table with all my strength, but it's useless. The circle drawn on the floor sucks me in.
“No!” the cry of desperation that comes from my throat is lost in a kind of endless labyrinth, like a tunnel that has no end.
For an instant, during my fall through that kind of tunnel, I think I see Pearshield passing by me in the opposite direction, but before I can be sure, my feet touch solid ground.
The world spins around me. I lean on a tree and vomit. When my vision clears, I realize I'm in an impossible forest. The trees are too tall, too twisted, with bark that glows under a light that doesn't come from the sun. The air smells different, of spices I can't identify and flowers I've never seen.
I'm not in my world. I can't be.
“Humans shouldn't possess that book. And you shouldn't be here,” I suddenly hear.
The voice startles me. In front of me is a woman so beautiful it's impossible. Even more perfect than Sylara.
“Who are you?” I ask, pressing the book against my chest. “What is this place?”
“My name is Maris Brightcrown. And you're in Aifshara, or what remains of it. And you shouldn't be here, that old man is an idiot.”
Brightcrown. The last name echoes in my memory. Kaelisar mentioned someone with that last name... but I can't remember it clearly.
“You have something that belongs to us,” this Maris continues, extending her hand toward me. “That book was stolen from my father's library. I demand you return it.”
I take a step back. It's my only hope of completing the mission and protecting Colt.
“I can't,” I respond, noticing my voice breaks slightly. “I need it.”
Maris frowns, and the sky above us seems to darken in response.
“You need it?” she repeats, advancing toward me with a threatening attitude. “What could a stupid human need a Fae elemental magic book for?”
“I'm not human,” I respond without thinking. “At least, not entirely.”
Her eyes narrow, studying me with greater attention.
“No... I see...” she murmurs. “There's something in you. Something familiar.”
She takes advantage to come closer. Panic floods through me. If she takes the book, I'll be lost. Colt will be lost. Everyone will be. Sylara, Althea, Sabina...
Responding to the panic, the air around me stirs, only here I do it instinctively, without effort. Without thinking, I release a gust of wind so powerful that Maris falls backward. In this place magic seems much more potent, but also more exhausting.
Her eyes open with surprise.
“Air elemental!” she growls. “Who are you?”
“Someone who needs this book, I'm sorry, but I can't give it to you,” I respond, searching for the portal with my gaze. “Please, let me go.”
Maris gets up with impossible speed and positions herself in front of me again.
“I can't do that,” she explains, but she doesn't seem angry. “That book contains dangerous knowledge for someone without training. Return it to me and I promise we'll look for answers together. If you're part Fae, you have a right to know your heritage. Here you'll be safe and trained as you deserve, alongside your own people.”
For a moment, I hesitate. What if she's telling the truth? What if Kaelisar has been lying to me all this time?
