“We’re travellers,” Rafferty said easily. “We’ve heard all about this wonderful library here, and we were hoping to have a look around.”
The guard muttered under his breath before turning to the other. He gave a shrug. “All right. You have one hour to take a look around, and then you must leave.”
“Leave?” Bree asked. “We’ve been travelling for days. Surely there’s an inn where we can rest?”
“No inns,” the guard barked. “We do not entertain visitors in Munlin. See the library and be on your way. Or don’t. Up to you.”
Bree shared a glance with Rafferty before nodding. The guards stepped aside, allowing them to pass beneath the spiked wooden gate into Munlin. The muddy street snatched at Bree’s boots, threatening to trap her there, along with the sad, rotting roofs above the grey stone buildings. The guard suddenly grabbed her arm and jerked her toward him, and her heart rocketed up into her throat.
“One hour. If you’re not back through this gate by then, we’ll have to find you and use your head to feed the crops.”
Bree swallowed hard.
The guard let go and returned to his post, leaving Bree with her stomach in knots. This place was nothing like the castle where she’d spent most of her time in Underworld. Everything about Munlin was dreary, damp, and sad. Every building they passed looked as if could collapse beneath a strong wind, and the streets were empty. Only mud kept them company as they made their way to the tower at the center of it all. Silence crept through the winding paths like venomous spiders.
Bree cut her eyes Rafferty’s way. “So, I can see now why none of you like to come here.”
“There are many beautiful places in Underworld. This is not one of them.”
They came to a stop just outside the tower. There were two sets of double doors that led inside. One right beside the other. The first was manned by two more guards, while the second sat wide open. The scent of parchment and ink wafted toward them, chasing away the cloying scent of mud.
“The library?” Bree arched a brow.
“As I said, he’s proud of it.” Rafferty went first, taking the lead. “He hates visitors. Just not here. Not for this.”
When they stepped inside, Bree could understand why. A domed ceiling rose up high above, elaborate paintings covering every surface. Along each wall, towering oak bookshelves held leather-bound books that gleamed beneath the flickering chandeliers. Ladders curved toward the top shelves, and a catalogue sat in the center of the room, a lot like the ones from back home before the internet took over the world. Bree let out a low whistle. It was shockingly large, beautiful, and pristine. The opposite of the entire city outside.
“How? Why?” Those were all the words she could find.
Rafe shrugged. “No one understands. This is the only place in all of Munlin not covered in dust and mud. Speaking of…” Rafe pointed at a mat just inside the door. “We have to take our shoes off.”
Fine with Bree. She pulled off her muddy boots and stretched her toes, sighing at the feel of the plush carpet beneath her feet. While Rafferty followed suit, she wandered over to the card catalogue and pulled out a random drawer. Where to even begin? How were they going to find the information they needed in less than an hour?
The moments ticked by as Bree spun through the little cards, seeking anything that stood out from the rest. History.Ancienthistory. The creations of the world. Rafe joined her, pulling and shutting the drawers. At least half an hour passed before she found anything useful.
“Found a book on Otherworld,” she said, pulling the card from the drawer and wandering through the shelves until she found the right spot. The book looked old, but so did the rest of them. She slid it from its perch and flipped open the cover. Parchment and dust flooded her senses.
Rafe wandered over and glanced over her shoulder. “Anything useful?”
The pages fanned out before her. Bree scanned the words, but nothing jumped out at her. “Nope.”
“On to the next, then.” Rafe and Bree returned to the catalogue to continue their search. The minutes ticked by far too quickly. Soon, close to an hour had passed, and they had no more information than they did when they’d walked through those doors.
“There are just too many books.” Bree slammed one of the drawers shut. “Not a sentence I ever thought I’d say, by the way.”
“We need more time.” He glanced at the open door. “But the Worm will never let us stay here.”
Bree frowned and tried another drawer. The first card in the slot snagged her attention, hooking her closer. She pulled it out. Land origins. That was all it said. And it could mean anything. What land? The lines of the territories? The type of soil scattered through the realm? Or did it refer to what Bree hoped?
She scurried over to the shelf and pulled out the book. It weighed heavy in her hands. She flipped it open and read the first page, excitement ticking through her.
“Anwynn, the land of magic, home to the fae who could wield magic over the elements, the seasons, and the sky itself.” Bree’s heart thumped. She rose her voice to call through the library. “Rafe, I think I’ve got something!”
Footsteps thumped nearby. Rafe appeared before her, his expression pained. “You’re right. We do. The Worm is here.”
A six foot tall male stepped up behind Rafe. His ears cut through his tangled brown hair, and horns protruded from his skull. Spittle dripped down his chin, landing on his stained shirt. He pressed the tip of a very long knife against Rafe’s neck. “Why the fuck are you still in my library?”
15
