He knows what Silas is, and I bet he knows a lot more.
“Thank you for telling me this,” I say, as I lean forward and wrap my arms around her tightly. “I need to get back to the others to form a plan, but please come with me. We can keep you safe.”
Yara embraces me momentarily before pulling away. “I have a plan, Briar.”
“A woman with a plan.” I smile. “You are quickly becoming my favorite person.”
“I’m supposed to meet Malachi tomorrow night. Once he falls asleep, I can grab the book and meet you. It will be in your possession, and you can enter the Archives to find whatever you’re looking for.”
“Absolutely not,” I snap. “That is too dangerous and puts you at too much risk.”
“It’s important,” she snaps.
“He will kill you if caught.”
“Don’t worry. I promise I can take care of myself. I’ll work extra hard to put him right out,” she winks. “I’ll try to pry a bit more and see if I can uncover anything else.”
“Why are you doing this?” I angle my head.
She stands, pulling me along with her. We walk to the large, open window and let the cool night air brush against our faces in complete silence for a moment.
She gazes out over the dark kingdom.
“Andorwood is my home. I was born and raised here. I didn’t live the exact life I wanted, but I won’t complain.” Yara turns to me. “I know what lurks deep within you, Briar, and I know you fight every single day to make this world better for everyone—even people who don’t deserve to be saved. You are a fighter, and if I can contribute even a small part to this war, I’ll do whatever it takes to improve the future for women just like us.”
I stare at her, and her return gaze strikes me in the heart.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “When we leave Andorwood, would you come with us? Back to the mainland? I can’t promise what we’ll walk into, but you’re exactly the person I want on my team for any future battles, big or small.”
“I would love to,” she says, a genuine smile painting her exhausted face. “But…”
I wait for her to continue.
“I won’t leave my mother.”
I smile, knowing exactly the feeling of having someone you love so much that you are willing to stay in a horrible situation, just to keep them close.
I return the smile. “Tomorrow evening, we will meet in Silas’s room here in the castle.”
She winces at his name. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Don’t worry about him. I’ll talk to Silas, and it will be fine.” I walk toward the door. “Besides, he listens to me.”
“If you need any help controlling your Lumor magic, just let me know, but that will stay our secret,” Yara says.
I pause, feeling like I’m back in the hallway with the invisible creature. I glance at my hands once more, half expecting the black veins to disappear and be replaced with bright white ones, but the darkness persists.
“Thanks.” I turn before crossing the threshold.
“Miss Briar,” Yara calls, as I step into the dim hallway. “There was something more.”
I freeze.
“Malachi talks of a stone—beautiful, dark green, and oozing something powerful—that resides in Andorwood somewhere. Idon’t think it’s safe to use.” She hesitates, and warmth rushes to her cheeks. “But, I thought it may be important to know.”
My mind snaps back to the moment in the forest when I came upon another stone with power. The dark influence radiating from the striking, onyx stone, the smooth sides that felt like silk against my pale skin, and the darkness—that sheer darkness—that made my entire system scream at me to run away.
Gods.
