“Malachi isn’t going to help us.”
She nods. “Hux told us.”
“You cannot trust him. Do not tell him anything important. I don’t care what the others say right now,” I say, sharply. “Promise me that.”
My reaction catches her off guard. “What happened with Hux?”
“Just promise me, Maines.”
She drops her gaze. “I promise.”
The fire before us dances in the shadows of the room. The blazing heat quickly becomes sweltering as growing tension fills the space. There’s a crack, and a log falls to the bottom of the fireplace, making me jolt in my seat. Maines darts her eyes toward me, sensing my unease, and leans back against the couch, crossing her arms.
A heavy exhale leaves my chest, and the words bubble in my throat. “I met one of the dancers tonight in the castle—Yara. I got into a bind, and she helped me.”
“Briar Blackbyrne—what aren’t you telling me?” Maines’s posture straightens.
“It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.” I roll my eyes as she relaxes.
“Then, keep going,” Maines says. “Make me believe that.”
“Yara shared more information than anyone should ever have to process in one sitting. Andorwood has a stone, and from her description, it seems to be something similar to the resurrection stone.”
Her jaw slacks. “Did she have any idea what it does?”
“No. She said it wasn’t something to mess with. She also knows what can protect us when we get into the Archives,” I explain. “We are meeting her tomorrow night for the Rigil and more information.”
“Gods, who is this woman?” Maines curses.
“A brave bitch.”
She laughs. “I believe it.”
“There’s one more thing I need to tell you. You are the perfect person to come to with this because you’ve studied more than anyone I know.”
She nods, uncomfortable in her own seat suddenly. “Okay?”
“Before I met Yara, I was standing in the hallway when a Traveler approached me from behind.”
“A what?” she snaps.
“The invisible creatures that guard the castle," I say, casually brushing over the name. “I nearly drowned in complete darkness and just prayed for light. And...well...that happened.”
“Wait? What are you talking about?”
“I wielded light, Maines.”
Chapter 20
“Are you fucking joking?” Maines’s mouth falls open.
“Yes, Maines. I’m kidding,” I say sarcastically, as I slap her arm. “Why would I joke about that?”
She stands, rubbing her temples, and strides to the bay window—as if she needs to create some distance between us. She rests both hands against the wood and drops her head. Maines has studied countless textbooks about our powers, ancient and present. She would know about this, or at least be able to offer some wisdom on whether I’m insane or not.
Maybe I’m crazy, and this will all be so much easier.
She turns to me, and shock still paints her face. I watch her, waiting for a massive reaction to fill the room. Her hands move through her hair as she tosses it to the side, her bright eyes shining as they gaze into mine.
