Silver at Midnight: A Paranormal Romance Urban Fantasy (The Keepers of Knowledge Series Book 5)

by Bridgette O'Hare

  The atmosphere was charged with traces of magic. After all I’d been through, it was a welcome sensation. Even though it wasn’t Fae magic that danced in the air, magic was—at its core—still magic. My energy got a boost just by being enveloped in it. After a moment of appreciation for the beauty of the ruins, I began to wander around the massive courtyard under the guise that I simply wanted to take in the surroundings. But I was looking for the fountain the Lunar goddess had mentioned. She insisted I take a drink, and that was what I planned to do. I traced my fingers over the stone structures as I moved about. Some were broken and crumbling, others had stood the test of time. All of them held residual magical properties. This place may have been in ruins, but it was still very much alive.

  To my left, I took note of Kage pulling things from his backpack and laying them out on the altar at the top of the steps. While I wanted . . . no, needed to know what he was doing, my main objective was finding the fountain before he required my assistance with his translation. I was growing concerned that the fountain might be in another location when I noticed a set of overgrown steps leading down to a landing directly across from the altar. With haste, I made my way to the steps and eased through the overgrowth which opened up to a lush, round garden. A stone wall protected the area, and the steps were the only entry point. While much of the stone in the garden was covered in moss, it didn’t appear to be as dilapidated as the courtyard.

  Situated in the middle, a fountain that mirrored the shape of the garden itself stood surrounded by a grassy frame. Circling the structure were four pillars spilling water from within them into the stone basin below. A glass orb sat positioned atop each pillar. As I walked around the fountain, the glass shaded differently in every orb, and it only took a moment to recognize that each represented a phase of the moon. When I stood by the full moon pillar, I could see the reflection of the moon in the water of the fountain, and I immediately understood what the Lunar goddess meant when she said there would be no mistaking when the moon was at its peak. As it was, the fountain was just over half-filled with a silvery reflection.

  “Hmph. A Silver Moon,” I whispered beneath my breath. I noticed a stone bowl on the edge of the fountain just as I heard Kage call out from midway down the steps leading into the hidden garden.

  “I have everything ready.” He paused on the steps. “Hmm . . . I wonder what this place is,” he speculated as his gaze swept around the garden.

  I didn’t have much time. I picked up the bowl, scooped some water from the fountain, and began moving it toward my lips.

  “Are you seriously going to drink that?”

  I stopped and glared at him over the bowl. “Why not? I’m thirsty. It’s here.”

  “I have bottled water in the backpack.”

  I quickly took a few swallows in case he realized I wasn’t quite as cooperative as I appeared. “And how many chances am I goin’ t’ get t’ drink out of a fountain in sacred ruins?” I arched an eyebrow and placed the bowl back on the edge of the fountain just as I had found it.

  “You done now, though?” Impatience mixed with disbelief . . . or maybe it was frustration because I was holding him up. I didn’t care either way. He needed me. He’d wait or he wouldn’t get his incantation. Though, to be fair, he wasn’t going to get it anyway. He just didn’t know that yet.

  Twenty-Eight

  The Kanna Stone journal and the Tartaros Blade journal were laid open on the altar side by side. Beneath them were carved the same strange glyphs and moon phases that I’d noticed on the stone slab near the entrance to the waterfall. Kage had removed the wooden box and the item wrapped in wool from his backpack and placed them to the left of the journals. To the right—a Silver Scroll. Naturally, I wondered if it was the one that was supposed to be in Davar Magén’s possession or one of the five thought to be lost.

  Four tall torches burned brightly on the corners of the altar, and the sky had grown darker since we stepped through the opening of the waterfall. Soon we would rely solely on the light from the torches and whatever light the moon provided, unless Kage chose to walk around the courtyard and light every torch scattered throughout.

  “So, what do we have here?” I asked, reaching for the Tartaros journal. I wished I still had my pendant, but I was glad that Kage couldn’t see what it was capable of.

  Ruman’s words flashed through my mind along with thoughts of my father. I pushed aside those thoughts and focused on the situation at hand. Ruman had said the ruins were the site of a silver mine. And that silver—Moon Silver—in pure form was used to create my pendant. I wondered if there might be fragments integrated into some of the ruins that I could use to bring the silvery ink to life. I tried to glance around without drawing attention, but Kage was now holding the journal and watching me intently.

  “You obviously know what the journals are. The box is made of Ironwood infused with moonwater to prevent it from burning, but also to stabilize whatever is placed inside.”

  “And that is for the Kanna Stone, I presume?” I interrupted.

  “It is. Based on what we know of its power, I thought it better to be safe than sorry once we find it.” He patted the box and moved on to the object wrapped in wool. “This is an item I think you’ll find quite interesting. While we were gathering the books last night, I was pleased to learn you might have some knowledge about it.” His words sent a shiver down my spine even before he began removing the strips of wool bandaged around the top. The hilt of a dagger showed through just enough for me to rule out a cross or similarly shaped artifact. When enough of the handle was revealed, and I saw the red sheen of the blade, my chest tightened. My lungs begged for air but found none. I placed a hand on the altar to steady myself.

  He had the Tartaros Blade.

  My skin crawled as the vision of Cian’s death came to mind again, even more vividly than before. I forced myself to breathe and glared at Kage who was regarding me with a curious expression.

  “What do you know of this blade, Aisling?” he demanded but with an intrigued tone.

  “It is lethal. T’ every race. There is no discrimination in its wrath.”

  “So, you do know about it then.”

  “Where did ya find this, Kage?”

  A satisfied smile furled his thin lips. “It has taken a lifetime to locate this blade. And to my kind, that is an exceptionally long time.”

  “Doesn’t answer my question, only makes me wonder what your kind is,” I spat without thinking.

  “Darek mentioned you were feisty. I was wondering when you were going to let a little of that slip out.”

  He was trying to distract me, get me off topic. Wasn’t going to happen. Though, I did intend to find out just how Darek fit into this, if at all. “Still haven’t answered the question, Kage. Where’d ya find this blade? More importantly, why didn’t ya leave it there?”

  “Oh, Aisling. Don’t you get it yet? This blade is the answer to restoring the balance originally intended in the world. When paired with the power of the Kanna Stone, there’s no being that can stand in the way.”

  Anger seethed through me, but I had to tamp it down if I was going to survive this and stop him. He held all the cards at the moment. I mean, holding the Tartaros Blade—literally—was his ace in the hole. One cut was lethal. If supernatural blood ran through your veins, it could be a paper cut and you were done for. Which explained why Kage left the wool strips wrapped around the blade itself. His hand rested on the hilt, ready to wield it if necessary.

  I pulled in a slow, calming breath and refocused. I needed to play this part to the end. “How do we restore the balance?”

  His smile widened. “I was hoping you were going to cooperate. I kind of like you. I wasn’t looking forward to torturing you.”

  “Oh, well, that’s good t’ know. I’d hate t’ see what ya have in mind for people ya don’t like.” I heard the irony in my words before I even spoke them. I already knew what he had in mind for them�
�annihilation. “I am still curious, though. You said it took a while, and I do enjoy a good story. How long did you search and where did you finally find it?” I wasn’t sure if knowing the location was even going to be helpful. But my gut said I needed to know, and—more importantly—I needed to stall. So, I maintained persistence and hoped he liked bragging as much as most villains.

  He did.

  Granted, it only offered me an additional five minutes, but life or death can be determined in a mere second; one would be surprised at the difference five minutes can make. When he was finished, I knew these things with certainty:

  Kage was a greater threat than I had initially realized.

  The Tartaros Blade had been intentionally buried in the farthest reaches possible, and for good reason.

  And Kage was an immortal.

  Which meant Cian was an immortal. I thought back to the conversation with Ruman. That’s what he was about to reveal to me before I was pulled from the dream realm. And while greater issues loomed, my mind fixated on the differences between us, and I wondered how Cian could possibly be convinced we were meant to be together. There was no way for us to make sense, yet with that realization my heart ached like it never had.

  “You’re hung up on the fact that I’ve been around pretty much since the beginning of time, aren’t ya?” Kage’s voice pulled me from my thoughts of Cian.

  “Huh? Oh . . . uh . . . aye. A bit,” I admitted, though I was more caught up on the fact that Cian had been around that long. Pieces of the puzzle swirled around my head. Bits of what had once seemed like random information began to merge. “You said that I should be concerned because we both come from a pure bloodline. What’d ya mean by that?”

  His eyes tightened into a squint. “You really don’t know?”

  Frustration set in. “I don’t even know what I’m not s’pose t’ know.”

  “Your father hails from the purest of our bloodline, and you have no knowledge of this?”

  “My question is how d’you have knowledge of this when I don’t? And does Cian know?”

  “I do.” The familiar voice echoed from behind us by the steps.

  I turned and locked eyes with the familiar blue gaze. Instinct thrust me toward him. In three steps I had my arms wrapped around his neck as his engulfed me, squeezing tightly.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered into my ear. I nodded into his neck.

  “Cian. Glad you finally made it. What took so long?” Kage questioned.

  I released my grip and slowly slid away from Cian. Disbelief filled my eyes as they searched his for an answer. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw remorse. But it disappeared the moment he turned his attention to Kage.

  “I had a few loose ends to tie up,” Cian admitted.

  “You have the necklace?” Kage held his hand out expectantly. Cian placed my pendant in Kage’s hand.

  I stumbled backward into the altar and grabbed it with both hands to maintain my balance. How had I been so wrong? How had Uncle Lachlan been so wrong? Uncle Lachlan . . . no.

  I glared at Cian, waiting for him to look back at me. Rage soaked into every cell of my being. When he glanced my way, I spoke. My words were steel and hard. “Was he a loose end, Cian?” He knew who I meant; I could see it in his eyes. He blinked his focus back to Kage, ignoring my question.

  “Aisling,” Kage spoke softly. “Let’s not lose focus on the task. Your uncle is of Fae descent. I’m sure he is merely . . . detained.” He shot a side-glance at Cian and then back at me. “We’ve discussed this. What we are doing here is of the utmost importance. Balance. Remember? We need to restore balance.”

  I pulled my scowl from Cian and aimed it at Kage. “He is the only family I have left. If something has happened to him, balance or not, I will not rest until someone pays.”

  The most sinister grin I had ever witnessed spread over his face. “See . . . now that is the fire I was expecting from you. That is the wrath I need. Channel that and help us restore what has been lost.”

  I had never been one to take life. Grams had taught me that every life was precious . . . no matter how vile and spoiled. And I had held to that belief. But in that moment, if I’d had my hand wrapped around the hilt of the Tartaros Blade, I may have acted without thinking. Luckily for them, I did not. But I also had no intention of letting them get their hands on anything more, especially not the Kanna Stone. I needed a distraction. I needed to get to that fountain and see how long before the Silver Moon peaked. I needed my full strength back.

  Twenty-Nine

  “This isn’t working,” Kage grumbled as he held my pendant over page after page of the Kanna journal. “I know I saw it glowing in the archives when she was leaning over it.” He slammed the pendant down on the altar.

  I checked to make sure he hadn’t broken it, but it remained in one piece next to the journal.

  “Why don’t we start with the invocation,” Cian suggested. “Let her translate it, and we will go from there.”

  I found myself watching Cian and wondering how he had managed to manipulate me so easily. I was pissed with myself and disappointed in my ability to judge without the assistance of my Soul Sight. Had he, in fact, been the one who wrote the note about the Silver Moon and finding me at midnight? Had he and Kage already known about the ruins even before Uncle Lachlan had gathered the intel from his sources? No. If they had known to look in the ruins for the Kanna Stone, they would have done so before now. I was just being played . . . like a secondhand fiddle, at that. It was impressive when I thought about it. Infuriating, but impressive. Was Darek in on it too? Yet another unanswered question.

  “We have until the full moon on the thirty-first,” Kage retorted.

  I turned my head to him. “If this doesn’t have t’ be found right now, then why are we here today? Could this not have waited? Maybe you could have talked t’ me about it, reasoned with me, tried t’ persuade me over a nice dinner and a drink before ya jus’ knocked me out with toxic magic?” Irritation mingled with my words.

  I glared at Kage standing just beyond Cian, and then caught Cian lowering his head and trying to fight back a snicker. And it pissed me off. “And you . . .” I directed my rage at Cian, and my words grew low and rigid. “You lied t’ me. I don’t even have words for the likes of ya right now,” I said through gritted teeth. We locked eyes, but what I saw was not what I expected. I expected the amusement of someone who didn’t care about the feelings of just another pawn in their game. Instead, I stared into a sea of blue regret pleading for forgiveness. But he had fooled me once. Not again. I jerked my eyes back to Kage. “Where is this translation I need t’ get started on?”

  Cian moved toward me to grab the Silver Scroll, pausing and looking me in the eyes as he reached for it. I looked away.

  “You’re goin’ t’ need this,” Cian said softly, placing the scroll in front of me and opening it. He pushed it flat and settled a stone on both the top and bottom to hold it in place. It spanned from one side of the slab to the other.

  Still avoiding eye contact, I stared down at the scroll. “And jus’ what part am I t’ be translatin’?”

  “The third section from the bottom,” Kage informed. “I need it in Latin, but I would love to know what it says as well.”

  I glanced at the scroll and immediately recognized the language as the one Ruman had showed me. The one that combines the two dead languages of Aramaic and Hebrew.

  “Here,” Cian stepped closer, pressing against me, and pointed to the section unnecessarily. Our gazes collided this time. It was another attempt to beg forgiveness without actually saying it. When his hand brushed mine, the familiar sensation surged through me—his magic intwining with mine. Instantly, my energy soared. With a flash, I heard his voice whisper, “I’m sorry.” Only, like the Lunar goddess, his lips never moved. I jerked my hand away and stepped back. Eyes frozen on him.

  “Aisling?” Kage’s voice slithered through the air. “Aisling?
Can you translate it?”

  My stare still trained on Cian, uncertain if I had actually heard him or imagined it, I nodded. “Aye. I can translate it.”

  Cian moved aside to allow me to return to the scroll, but he kept his focus on me. He was far enough away that the effects of our energies maintained a faint buzz in the air without overloading my senses, but it was enough to make me realize that being near Cian—and more specifically physical contact with him—was restoring what The Sorek Shackles had stripped away. Something in the way he continued to look at me led me to think he might know that.

  I tried to focus. I still needed a distraction so I could get over to the fountain once more and gauge how much time remained before the peak of the Silver Moon. As I read over the first line of the selected text, I wondered how two supposed immortals had lived a literal eternity yet could not manage to learn this language or Latin. I read through the remainder of the text before moving ahead to be sure that I didn’t inadvertently give them exactly what it was they wanted . . . the full invocation.

  “I’m going t’ need something t’ write with and on,” I announced. “Have any paper in that backpack?” I angled my head in Kage’s direction.

  He quickly pulled both from the pack and handed them over, and I went to work jotting down words but leaving others out. Cian eased closer, charging the air between us, as he went through the Kanna journal next to me, only he held up one side as he opened it and left it up as he flipped the pages up, tucking them under a thumb. Then he did something unexpected. In a smooth motion, he slipped his hand to the side of the journal, floated it over the top of my pendant, and then it was gone. A moment later, he managed to slip the Tartaros Blade journal into a resting place inside the Kanna journal without drawing attention to himself. Within moments, he was tracking my pendant slowly across the pages of the journal, exposing words that hadn’t appeared to exist before. He was succeeding at what wouldn’t work for Kage, and I didn’t understand why.