“There’s some positivity,” Maines cheers, as Oak winks.
“It’s true,” Silas mutters. “But, I don’t think we should mess with this until we know what we are dealing with. I’m not putting Briar in danger until we know how to control this.”
They all nod.
I watch them continue their conversation as if I’m not here—coming up with plans, thoughts, and wild accusations about me and my dark magic as well as Rohhit. My mind drifts back to the library—to the scrolls, ancient books, andKalixwritten on one of the faded pages.
“Well, maybe we could control the situation if we were with her. Silas, you can pull her out of any nightmare, right? AndMaines will be there to help if anyone needs healing,” Oak suggests.
Their plans begin to unfold, and I can’t stand it anymore.
“Stop,” I shout, louder than intended.
They all snap their heads in my direction, eyes wide at the sudden outburst.
“Stop talking as if I’m not here. Stop coming up with plans about what I will do with my magic.”
Silas, Oak, and Maines halt.
“If you insufferable people decide to ever let me talk, I need to tell you something,” I admit.
“Oh, Gods. What now?” Oak throws his hands.
“When I didn’t immediately come to Silas’s house last night, I went for a walk around the castle.” I pause, waiting for Silas to lose his mind.
“You what?” Silas’s nostrils flare.
I glance at him, making a pained face. “The creature that haunts me showed itself, and I followed it.”
“Yeah, I’m not prepared for this.” Oak places his forehead on the table. “Is there any ale around?”
Maines punches his arm, shushing with her finger, and ushers me to continue with a weary grin.
“I found something at the end of a long hallway, but thinking back, I have no idea which way I even went.”
“What…” Silas sits straight up, and I can practically smell the anger leaking from his body. “What did you find?”
The memories of the books, snakes, and the undeniable darkness that slithers around that clearly forgotten library cause me to nearly shiver in my chair.
“I found a…”
A strong voice rises from the bottom of the staircase, interrupting me.
“She found the library, Silas. The Forgotten Archives.”
Larkin stands on the last step with his hands tucked into his pockets. His face is stern, his hair messy, and purple circles rest under his intensely dark eyes—like he hasn’t slept at all.
Silas stands, abruptly. “And you would know this how, Captain?”
He shifts inches from Larkin’s face, seething with anger from the withheld information.
Larkin jolts at the sudden appearance, raising his hands in defense. “Fuck.”
“Silas.” I jump up, nearly knocking my chair backward. “Calm down.”
“Speak. Now,” Silas snaps, eyes still trained on his captain.
“I found her outside your bedroom, slumped against the wall after you ran away. I went looking for her because she had been gone for hours.” He pushes Silas back. “You wouldn’t know any of this, though, would you? Leaving me to babysit. That’s not my job,Prince.”
