That’s quite dramatic. If any beast is filthy, it’s Aro. I actually groom myself, unlike that giant bear.
Ava shook her head with amusement. At least she had Luna to keep her entertained in her thoughts while she did all the work. By herself.
“There must be some secret hiding place in here,” she whispered.
Her eyes scanned the room. Bookshelves lined the space, painstakingly organized with dozens of tomes. Strange artifacts were displayed on one wall, but none looked as if they were important to their search. The surface of the wide wooden desk was empty, and she’d found nothing in each of the drawers.She’d even checked them for compartments like when she found her grandfather’s journal.
Nothing.
Hands on her hips, she released a frustrated groan when her eyes landed on a large, framed portrait on the far wall. A beautiful rendering of the castle. But there was something odd about it…something that drew her in.
She approached the art, carefully scanning the piece and running her fingers along the sides, feeling for a mechanism or anything out of place. She pulled at the frame, but it was attached securely to the wall and didn’t budge.
Moving to stand at the side of the picture, she evaluated the depth. There. Something…strange…sticking out just barely at the bottom right corner. Lifting her hand, she prepared to touch it.
It looked almost like… “Ouch!” She pulled her finger back as a drop of blood bloomed where it had pierced her. A miniscule needle. “Get over here,” she hissed.
Jareth pushed himself off the wall and joined her. “Yes?”
“Give me your hand.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
Jareth held out his palm. Ava grasped his hand and pressed his finger to the needle. He jerked his hand back, putting his finger in his mouth.
A click, and the picture swung open. “Blood lock, I knew it!”
“Do they have blood locks in the human world?”
“No, but we have fingerprint locks. Similar concept.”
Jareth crossed his arms and nodded to the compartment. “Well? What’s in there?”
Ava peered into the alcove. Only one item was present. A small tablet made from the pale stone of the castle, carved with stars and moons, and a strange jagged indentation in the center.
She held it up. “Only this.”
Jareth ran a hand over his face. “Of course he would have one of those.”
“What is it?”
“Valhet rementia.” His eyes met hers. “It’s quite rare, and can only be used by our people as it’s powered by starlight. It can store whatever information the owner desires.”
“Like a magical journal?”
“Exactly. Set it on the table.”
Jareth turned to a glass case on the shelf behind him, a glowing shard displayed beneath. Lifting it, he took the object and joined Ava standing beside the desk.
“What is that?”
“A star fragment. He’s the only one who has one.”
“It’s…beautiful,” she whispered. The way it glittered and shined, like it was alive and thrumming with power. “Can I…” she reached out, desperate to hold it.
Jareth pulled his hand back. “I’m not really in the mood to explain your death to your kingdom…so no.”
