Now I’m regretting my complaints to him. “Eis…”
“I’ll accompany you to the Library of Areon. Naida and Brogan will be fine. I’ll leave them all the coin, and I will come back. Both of us will.” He gives me a cheeky grin, all bravado and optimism. “We’ll just drop the fucking book off and return. How hard could it be, huh?”
With my luck? I don’t even want to weigh my odds, yet it seems I’m the chosen one for this mission, like it or not…
CHAPTER FOUR
SAY GOODBYE
ADELINE
“Why didn’t you tell us that the book was talking to you?” Naida’s brow is creased with lines of worry and anger. “That was reckless! What if it had succeeded in influencing you?”
“I hadn’t realized it was the book’s voice I heard,” I protest. “Besides, you’d have known if it had influenced me. It did try.”
“Oh, for all the Gods’ sakes. How would I have known?” She rubs at her face. “What is this book?”
“It’s called Book of Olm. I saw the name when I opened it yesterday.”
“What else did you see?”
“Nothing much. Only the title was legible. The rest of the text was blurred.”
She gestures at the satchel. “Give it to me.”
“Naida, no. You don’t understand,” I whisper. “This book is dangerous. You were right.”
“Did it hurt you?”
“No, but it speaks to me. It spoke to Eiras and convinced him to take it to the palace. He set off immediately. I had to stop him and wrestle the book away from him.”
“Oh no.” She pales. “This isn’t good.”
“No, it isn’t,” Eiras says sullenly. “It got to me instantly. But for some reason, it doesn’t affect Aline.”
“Why would the book want to go to the palace?” she murmurs to herself. “Give me the book, daughter. Now.” She beckons imperiously, and I hand it over with a sigh.
“Be careful, Naida.”
“I bet it can’t control storytellers,” she says and before I can protest the logic of that statement, she opens the book to the first page. “Okay, let’s…” Her eyes widen and she lets it drop to the floor, taking a step back and lifting her hands. “Oh no!”
“Naida?” I whisper.
“The compulsion is… strong.” She lets out a breath. “Damn strong.”
“You heard its voice, didn’t you? Olm’s voice.”
She nods.
“But you’re not compelled, either?”
She doesn’t reply, looking as if she’s seen a ghost.
“Naida?” I prod.
“I’ll fight it.” Her mouth tightens. “Stay with Brogan. I will take it to the Library of Areon.”
“No.” I shake my head. “No, he needs you here and you are compelled. We can’t risk it. I’ll take it.”
