They nod.
I move the page from the sunlight back into the shadows of our bodies. Before me, the page begins to fade, and the words slowly vanish, revealing a completely blank sheet. I carefully fold it back and secure it in the middle of the book.
I tuck the book under my arm and look toward Silas and Larkin. Silas stands with his hands tucked into his pockets, a sense of pride showing behind his eyes. Larkin looks distressed as usual, and I fear he’ll never get over the antics we seem to encounter daily.
“Should we go see Aerona?” I ask.
Silas clicks his tongue. “We should indeed.”
We walk toward the threshold, ready to move toward the far east wing of the castle, where Aerona’s quarters are. It’s a part of the castle I’ve never been to, so excitement and nerves dance in my stomach.
“You’re taking that book with you?” Larkin asks.
“I am.” I smile. “I think I’m going to read it.”
He shivers. “Don’t you think you should pick up something happier?”
I shrug. “Not my style.”
Silas takes the lead as we move into the castle halls, knowing exactly where he is going after making trips there his whole life. I reflect on my childhood in Daramveer Castle. To many, the hallways were a maze, but I knew each turn and crevice like the back of my hand. The memories of the many times Barlowe and I played games throughout the halls send a wave of sadness mixed with happiness through me. We would spend hours running through the halls, desperately trying not to get caught by one of my father’s many useless guards.
I watch Silas turn with purpose around each corner, and I quickly catch up to wrap my hand around his. A heavy exhale escapes his chest from my touch, and he cuts his eyes toward mine. A soft smile curls on his lips, and he squeezes my hand twice in return. Larkin follows closely behind us, glancing over his shoulder every so often to ensure we are making this journey alone.
As we move through the long hallways, further away from the center of the castle where Malachi spent most of his time, the air seems lighter. This wing has more windows, allowing more light to shine through, illuminating the halls with a sense of hope. It’s easy to get lost in the gloom near where we stayed, tucked into the center of the castle. I understand why Aerona chooses to stay in this wing instead of the others, but I can’t for the life of me understand why Silas and Fen decided to remain in those rooms.
I glance out a passing window and see that we’ve traveled quite high near one of the castle's points. The distance between us and the ground makes my palms tingle, and I subconsciously move further to the inside wall.
Silas notices my flinch and chuckles. “I forgot your fear of heights, my love.”
“For the hundredth time, I’m not afraid of heights, but the thought of falling isn’t my favorite.”
He laughs again and lets us move further away from the passing windows.
We round the last corner and come to a large wooden door embellished with a snake, just like the others.
“I will start us off with my mother,” Silas says. “She will want to hear from me what happened with Malachi.”
Larkin nods, and Silas looks directly at me. “I would like you to chime in as well. Since you are going to enter the Forgotten Archives, I want you to ask the questions you need answering.”
Shock paints my face. “I’m entering the Archives? I didn’t think you would let me do that alone.”
He smiles. “Believe me, I want to argue with you, but I know that would be useless, and I would lose just like every time before. Everything within me tells me that you are the person who needs to do this, no matter how scared it makes me.”
“But, what if I don’t want to?” I ask.
Silas laughs. “Wow, the one time I don’t argue, you would have listened to my persuasion. That seems about right. If you choose not to, then I will go, but please know that the decision is ultimately yours.”
“Thank you,” I mutter.
He steps closer, his large presence looming above me. “Briar, there are creatures in Andorwood that have existed here long before the Great Wiitches. I’m going to let you enter the Archives, but not before you are prepared. If the Archives contains documents this important, I can only imagine the creature that haunts the space. I fear we are facing something truly terrifying.”
Fear runs through my veins like icy water.
“I don’t know, I feel like I’ve had my dose of terror from the Traveler in the woods,” I say.
“That will seem childish compared to what’s in the Archives.”
Silas raises his hand and drives his fist into the heavy wooden door. The knock echoes down the long hallway behind us, and I can’t help but listen to the nerves that fill me. Light footsteps sound behind the door, and I brace myself for another awkward meeting with Silas’s mother.
