It had been days.
Eimear rushed in next with Saoirse right behind her. “What did you find?” Eimear demanded, moving to her normal seat at the table. The rest joined her.
“Endless hallways. Paths still being discovered. Mazes that make no sense. But there’s a doorway.” Eimear sat straighter. “Runes surround the frame and the Weavers claim only The Divine and her mate can open it. Apparently, if anyone else tries, they will suffer unpleasant consequences.”
“And you think it’s the door to the library?” Arianna asked.
“Has to be,” Liam answered. “Nothing else down there is as guarded. Not that we’ve found, anyway.”
“How do they know only The Divine can open it?” Raevina asked.
“It’s what they claim the runes say.”
Raevina scoffed. “They’re a language now?”
“They’ve always been a language,” Eimear countered. “Just one that’s forgotten.”
“I feel like that list grows by the day,” Talon remarked.
“Somehow I doubt it’ll stop anytime soon,” Saoirse said. “Even if we win this thing, we’ll be going through and reteaching our history for ages.”
“We can worry about that later,” Rion said. “Is it safe?”
Liam shrugged. “As safe as it’s going to get.”
“Then I’m going,” Arianna said before anyone could argue otherwise. Rion met her gaze, but instead of disapproval, she found acceptance.
Eimear dropped her head into one hand and closed her eyes. Everyone waited. Arianna studied the female. Was she having a vision?
“It’ll be safe enough,” Eimear eventually said, “though I fear nothing is truly safe these days.”
“Do we need to be prepared for any Dark Fae?” Raevina asked.
Eimear was quiet again, her brow furrowed. “That … depends.”
“On what?” Saoirse pressed.
Eimear shook her head. “I can’t see. A decision, but the individual is wrapped in shadow.”
“That’s reassuring,” Saoirse remarked. Arianna was inclined to agree. She’d had enough of shadows. “Can we send them down long enough to open the door, then pull them out until Liam’s team can scout the area?”
“No,” Sive answered. “The runes state The Divine is to remain in the room at all times.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Talon asked.
“The translation is a bit difficult, but the warning states that those left behind will be bound within the pages.”
“Sounds lovely,” Saoirse remarked.
“Who set the original wards?” Alec questioned.
“The original resistance, long before Conall’s predecessor,” Eimear said. “Those who stood beside the original Divine after she chose to fade. It was only meant to be opened should the world ever have need of The Divine again.”
They all fell silent at the sound of Connall’s name. Arianna remembered what had happened to him with stark clarity. The blood, the wounds, the knowledge that he’d been alive when it had all been done. His body was buried beneath the mountain now, consumed by fire. She supposed it was a burial worthy of kings.
“When do we move?” Arianna asked.
Liam adjusted his sword belt. “How soon can you be ready?”
