Page 30 of The Fifth Heir

Wall runes appear responsive to conversation or emotional state. Exact function unknown.

Sebastian read the sentence over my shoulder.

I closed the notebook.

“You write quickly,” he said.

“You stand too close.”

He stepped back without argument.

That surprised me more than Rafe’s teasing.

“We should divide the rooms,” Torren said. “No one goes through a sealed door alone. If something reacts, call the others before proceeding.”

Leander looked relieved to hear a sensible suggestion. “Agreed.”

We began with the common room.

The hearth held no wood, but a low flame appeared when Torren approached. It burned red around the edges and gold at the center. He held one hand over it, then drew back.

“No smoke,” he said. “No heat beyond the stone.”

Rafe moved closer. A current of air lifted the flame and divided it into five narrow points.

Sebastian’s shadow passed across the floor and touched the hearth. Violet appeared within one of the flames.

Leander did not test his power. He watched the fire return to normal as soon as the others stepped away.

I approached last.

The flames became clear.

Not extinguished.

Clear.

The air above the hearth distorted with heat, but I could see through the fire itself.

Torren came to stand beside me. “Have you ever done that before?”

“I’ve never done anything before.”

He looked down at me.

I realized how the answer sounded. “With magic.”

Rafe made a quiet sound behind us.

I turned. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

The walls glowed orange again.

Torren’s mouth moved at one corner. Not quite another laugh, but close.

We found a dining room beyond the common area, with a round table and five carved chairs. The adjoining kitchen contained empty cabinets, a stone oven, and a cold-storage chest that chilled when Leander opened it. Five place settings waited on the shelves.