These were all rumors, though, because no one who ventured to the island ever returned.
And people willingly did. Fools who’d heard different rumors—tales about Tharasys being a haven where a person’s greatest fantasies came alive—set out for the island in search of insurmountable pleasure. The thought of what truly awaited those idiots sent a shudder through my body.
The suggestion that Lucan Malack would have any hand in attacking us made my bones chill, even if it was completely inconceivable.
“That’s preposterous,” I said with no small amount of disbelief. “Why would he possibly want us dead?”
Hugo lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps he’s somehow connected to the murders.”
I gaped at him. He couldn’t be seriously entertaining this idea.
“How? He can’t leave his island. And besides, what could he possibly stand to gain from slaying a witch, a nobleman and a maid in Solvardunn? It makes absolutely no sense.”
“I’m with Alara on this,” said Filip.
“I didn’t say he was the murderer. I’m merely speculating that he’s somehow involved. But if it’s so outlandish then, by all means, please enlighten me with your alternative theories,” said Hugo.
“I believe the murderer sent the maglocunos after us,” I said. “I just don’t see a motive forhimto be involved.”
Like a barnacle on a humpback, Hugo wouldn’t let it go. “Just because we cannot yet see one doesn’t mean we should completely discount the fact that he could be involved.”
“Fine,” I conceded half-heartedly. Suddenly, it struck me that I hadn’t told them about my discovery of the grimoire. “I have something to tell you both.”
I dove straight into an explanation about how I had correctly guessed the clue for the notebook.
“Asecret. Of course,” said Filip, cocking his head thoughtfully.
I’d never seen Hugo look so excited before. “Will you bring it to me?”
I hesitated. Now that the initial rush of identifying the monsters had worn off, a heaviness settled in my body. I couldn’t decide which was worse—the oppressive sadness or the crushing dread. I should be devising a plan for how in goddesses’ names I was going to get out of my bargain with the Crow, not chasing another dead end with Hugo and Filip. But I supposed there was no harm in bringing them the grimoire then leaving them to their own devices. Maybe they could decipher what those mysterious numbers meant. I sure as the five seas couldn’t worry about that now. “Very well, but you look like you’re about to meet your beloved for a tryst, so you can only have it if you promise not to caress it or sleep with it under your pillow.”
Hugo raised an eyebrow. “You do realize you’re addressing a prince, yes?”
“Of course. And I’ll be sure to deliver the grimoire with a curtsy, Your Highness,” I called out over my shoulder.
The sound of Filip’s snort followed me into the hallway, but not even goading Hugo could alleviate the heaviness as I made my way back to my bedchamber.
***
After I had thrown on a fresh dress and run a brush through my wind-tangled locks, I grabbed the grimoire from the farthest corner of my armoire and headed back towards Hugo’s quarters.
Someone had obviously sent those demon hounds after us, but why? If it was, as I suspected, the murderer’s doing, it could be because they knew we were on their tail. Maybe it was an attempt to silence us. But why write to me with strict instructions to remain at the castle only to set those beasts on me?
Why… why… why…
Solving this mystery was like trying to untwist a necklace, only to create more knots until it ended up a tangled mess, worse than before.
I was so absorbed in my own thoughts that I crashed into a broad-shouldered figure, who nearly knocked me off my feet.
“Sorry,” I apologized automatically, looking up to see Magnus. I braced myself for a remark that would undoubtedly make my teeth grit.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said distractedly.
His shoulders were hunched and the usual smirk on his face was replaced with a deep frown.
Against my better judgment, I asked, “Why do you look like your favorite tavern just burned down?”
“It’s…” He waited for a servant carrying a basket of linen to pass us. “Have you noticed anything unusual about Tarben?”
