“Wrangle. As if they’re cattle.”
Talton lets out a shrieking laugh. “Exactly! But they are vicious, they can unleash the monsters?—”
“—from their pages.” I sigh. “Yes, I know. You’ve said. Olm won’t do that.”
“Are you saying he never threatened such a thing?”
I don’t reply to that. “I really want to see the books.”
Roane rolls his eyes up as if praying for guidance. “I could lock you out of the sanctum.”
“Ro,” Talton says, “let her come. It will be fine. We can be careful.”
This time, Roane heaves a sigh. “Right.” Finally, he pushes the double doors open and steps through. “So, are you coming in or not?”
I hurry inside, humiliation boiling into resentment. “Relax. I won’t waste much more of your precious time.”
“We’ll see about that.” He stalks into the sanctum with that easy grace that captivates me so much.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I call after him.
“Ignore him.” Ardruna pads inside, followed by Talton. “He’s in one of his moods.”
“His tantrums,” Talton says.
“Don’t exaggerate,” Ardruna growls.
“At least he’s not sulking.”
“I can hear you,” Roane says from up ahead. “I’m not deaf.”
“Good,” Talton says. “I was starting to get worried. So hear this: you’re still not taking good care of your guest.”
And Roane stops, going very still. “What?”
“Tal,” Ardruna says in a warning tone. “Don’t be a tit.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the raven croaks, “did I step on any toes?”
Roane slowly turns around, those dark brows slashing over his eyes. “If you have any complaints, feel free to leave. All of you.”
“Ouch,” Talton says.
But I’m distracted by the sight around me. If I thought the hall looked like a temple, this place, this sanctum is really living up to its name. Its floor and walls sparkle with polished stone and crystals, and statues glimmer further, in the dimness of its corners. There’s a mystical air about it that stops my breath.
“Is this the library?” I ask. “The actual library?”
Roane’s expression softens for a moment. Then he sweeps a hand behind him. “Almost there.”
“Come on, girl.” Ardruna starts in the indicated direction. “We’ve delayed this long enough.”
With the book held in my hand, I join them, burrowing deeper into this strange place, my eyes getting accustomed to the low, bluish light that seems to seep out of the walls. The air here feels dry, so dry it hurts when I breathe, and the cold turns my breaths into white clouds.
Glancing down, I start.
The floor is… a map. Made of small, colorful stones, it depicts what has to be the world of Areon. The city, the hills, the meadows, and a river running through, called Achlys. At the center of the city stands the library, marked with a golden star.
This is where we are now. Inside that star that’s full of magic.
