by Brenda Drake
“There were many heartbreaks during the attack on Asile,” Uncle Philip continued. “Today we shall celebrate those who have fallen and rejoice in our new beginning. May Saint Agnes bless us. Enjoy the festivities.”
Bastien and his mother stood with the other royals and joined the cheering crowd. He whispered to her and she nodded. They weaved their way around the other royals and exited the boxed seats section. He led his mother behind the stage, and I couldn’t see him any longer. It was like the ground had flipped over and I tumbled, falling and careening with nothing to stop me. I wanted to chase after him, stop him from leaving, and that feeling surprised me.
“Shall we eat?” Lei broke my trance on the corner where Bastien had disappeared. “I’m famished.”
Dazed, I trailed after her.
“My stomach is eating itself,” Demos added.
“It’s too bad Faith couldn’t make it,” Jaran said, walking beside me. We headed for the tables covered by colorful canopies down the hill from the stage.
“Merl’s death hit Faith hard,” I said, recovering from the sense of loss I’d had watching Bastien go. “Pop’s with her.”
“I understand how she feels,” Arik said.
I recognized a guy standing by himself, still staring at the stage as everyone broke off. The man had stringy blond hair hanging over a large forehead, a muscular and stout body, and a look of doom on his face.
“Edgar?” I hurried to him. I hadn’t seen him since rescuing Carrig from Esteril. He was undercover there to gain information for Asile, and I had blown his cover. He had to kill a guard to save his and my life.
“Gia,” he said, emotionless. “Causing more trouble, are you?”
“I’m not— Never mind. What are you doing here? I thought you were in Esteril, restructuring and stuff.”
He had a look on his face that scared me. I knew there was tons of work to do in the Russian haven after Conemar had disappeared. The news was that the people were recovering as they took back control. Many hated Conemar’s rule and were thankful to the other havens for their support.
“Yes, I am. It’s going well. But there is still an underground group, angry about losing their high wizard. Angry about their entry into the libraries being closed. Angry at just about everything.” He glanced at each Sentinel. “Never let your guard down, no matter how much everyone speaks of peace.” He spotted the crowd thinning around Uncle Philip. “I must go. It was nice to see you again.”
“Edgar, wait,” I said, rushing over to him.
He stopped, glancing from Uncle Philip to me. “What is it? I must hurry.”
I got close to him and lowered my voice. “There’s a rumor that the Wizard Council is corrupt. Do you know if there’s any truth in it?”
“Where did you hear that?” He grabbed my elbow and guided me a few more steps away from the others. Jaran watched us, concern on his face. I smiled at him so he would know it was okay. “There has been a changing of the guards protecting the Council members due to the recent high wizard murders,” Edgar continued. “I’m not certain what’s going on, but I’m here to assess the threat and head the Asile guards in finding the group responsible for ordering the deaths. You needn’t worry. I will protect Philip with my life. Now, get back to the others. And be careful.”
Unable to find my voice, I nodded, fear strangling my throat.
Edgar jogged off in Uncle Philip’s direction.
Heading back to the others, I couldn’t help but worry about Uncle Philip’s safety. Someone was killing the high wizards, and now my uncle was one. He was in danger.
“He needs to lighten up a bit,” Demos said, watching Edgar rush off for the stage.
“He’s been undercover too long,” Jaran said. “He may be in need of a break.”
I worried my lip, watching Edgar weave through the crowd.
Arik came to my side. “Edgar dwells with the evils of our world. He doesn’t know the good in the worlds. But it’s always wise to be cautious.”
“I think you are right,” Kale said.
“Okay, but can we worry about this later,” Lei whined. “Let’s just enjoy the peace for tonight. I’m hungry.”
Kale wrapped his arm around Lei. “I’m with her. We could all use some sustenance and enjoyment.”
“All right,” Arik said. “Enjoy the evening. We’ll gather tomorrow to discuss this further.”
We charged down the hill to the tents. I decided to forget about what Edgar had said until tomorrow.
The evening was full of roasted chicken, extravagant desserts, and laughs with Uncle Philip and the Sentinels. With Arik. As though nothing had changed between us. Except, now we were friends, and I was actually happy about that.
Chapter Twenty-two
The lunchroom buzzed with its normal release after a long morning of boring lectures and tedious math calculations. Arik and Emily sat close together, sharing each other’s lunches. Faith had packed me a Fluffernutter sandwich cut into a heart. The strawberries dipped in chocolate, the carrots and cucumbers arranged artfully on toothpicks, and a smiley face drawn on my water bottle had my lunch looking like it had been prepared on the Food Network.
“She really is into making lunches,” Emily said over Arik as she opened a chocolate milk carton.
“Yeah, it’s kind of extreme,” I said.
My phone vibrated across the table. It was a text from Nana. She said she had something to tell me and that she would be coming for the weekend. When I asked what it was, she said we should speak in person. I couldn’t think of what it could be. It could have to do with Pop’s birthday coming up. Kayla, Faith, and I were planning a big surprise party for him.
Lei carried a tray over and sat down beside me. “Hullo, ducky.”
I eyed her tray. “You bought lunch?”
“It’s fish stick day.”
I moaned. “Not you, too?”
“Demos was right, they’re quite good.”
“I told you,” Demos said, placing two trays down in front of him. “No one ever trusts me.”
Kale shuffled up and kissed the top of Lei’s head. “Is the day over yet?”
“I wish,” I said, groaning. “I have so much makeup work to do.” Remembering Emily was present, I added the lie Pop wrote on my excuse slip. “They should give us a break when we’re sick.”
Emily lowered her milk carton from her lips. “I don’t mind makeup work.”
I was about to tell her she was joking, but I spotted Deidre across the cafeteria sitting at a table with the Sentinels from the other havens. Her finger hooked in Ludo’s back pant loop.
I took a bite of my sandwich. “Is Deidre dating Ludo now? That would explain all the Italian food at home lately.”
Lei glanced over at them. “Yes and how many is that now? She’s quite lost, isn’t she?”
“I think she’s just trying to have fun after having such a tough time with Nick,” I said. “Where is he, anyway?”
“I saw him eating outside,” Jaran said, approaching the table and carrying his sack lunch.
I flung my leg over the bench and stood. “I’m going to check on him.”
The moody winter weather had changed from snow, to mud, to sunshine. Nick basked in the warmth on the steps to the common area. The sun picked up the golden highlights in his chestnut hair.
“Hey, you. Why aren’t you with the gang inside?” I sat down beside him.
“Just thinking.”
“About a certain someone?”
He glanced at his phone. “Yeah, I really miss her. We’re texting, so I didn’t want to seem rude to the others.”
“Please, all teenagers are rude. Our phones are an extension of our hands. Didn’t you know?”
“You sound like your pop.”
“Probably because I’m quoting him.” I laughed and dug into my lunch. “You want a chocolate-covered strawberry?”
He took the strawberry from me by its stem. “She really is getting fancy with the lunches
.”
“Yep, love her.” I popped one into my mouth and tried to chew it. The strawberry was too big for my mouth, and I nearly choked.
Nick chuckled, licking the chocolate from his fingers. “They’re not bite size. You can’t eat them whole.”
“I know,” I said around the mouthful. “Don’t worry. Afton will be here for spring break.”
“That’s forever away.” He took a big bite of his sandwich. A slice of ham pulled out with his bite and he shoved it into his mouth.
He seemed calmer since Afton’s visit, even happy. “You can always video chat.”
“I guess. Did she tell you we kissed?”
“No.” I bumped his shoulder. “Details.”
The old Nick was back, recounting the secret kiss. His descriptions always bordered on inappropriate.
“You ready to do some putti duty,” Nick said.
“Very funny. I thought we were going with cherub.”
“Putti is just so fun to say.”
We ate our lunch. Just the two of us. Like it had been ever since we were born and before Afton had joined us. I missed our alone times. We had always been there for each other. He had snatched my baby bottle away from me in the playpen we shared when our mothers gossiped over coffee. He had punched that bully who tripped me in second grade. And he had held my hand whenever my mother’s death saddened me. I never needed a biological brother growing up. I had Nick.
“You know I love you, right?” I said, pulling a veggie kabob out of my sack.
He ripped the crust off his sandwich. “Yeah, I’m kind of stuck on you, too.”
...
Everything in the Abbey Library of Saint Gall was made of dark wood, polished until it shined like a freshly waxed bowling lane. Two-story bookcases with balconies surrounded the room. Gold Leaf accented everything and topped off the many wooden pillars between the bookcases. Several display cases around the area held antique books.
I drifted through the space, my face turned up to view the ceiling. The elaborate gold-trimmed frames encasing the murals on the domed ceiling reminded me of eggshell pieces from a Fabergé egg.
“What are you doing?” Nick broke the ceiling’s trance on me.
“Taking a moment to soak up the beauty. You should try it some time.”
“I took it in. I’m just a quicker looker than you.”
I smoothed my hair down. “Ugh, I have helmet hair. You should have gotten that Bug your parents wanted to buy you.”
“I look much cooler with metal between my legs.”
“Oh, please, it’s a rusty bunch of parts.”
He grabbed his chest. “You wound me.”
“Come on.” I pushed his shoulder. “Let’s find the Chiave, already.”
“Putti!” Nick called, adjusting his backpack on his shoulder. “Here putti, putti!”
I gave him the look that said quit it. “Seriously? You’re so juvenile.”
“You know that was funny.”
“You’re hilarious.” I rolled my eyes, fingering the locket around my neck.
The gateway book shook behind us. A man jumped out, and right after him came a woman, a boy, and a girl.
“Good evening,” the man said.
“Hello,” I said.
“Do you happen to know which bookcase leads to…” He looked at his map. “Greyhill coven?”
They were the fourth group of travelers we ran into in just the short time we’d been in the library. Since the Wizard Council had reopened the gateways and reduced the security alert to the lowest level, the libraries had become crowded after closing. The new system required all travelers to acquire a ticket at one of the havens. This prevented overloading the libraries.
“It’s in that room,” Nick said, pointing out the direction of the room. “It’s the third bookcase on the east wall.”
“Thank you, kindly.” He ushered his family along.
“You think he was a Sentinel or wizard?” Nick asked.
“Neither. I think he’s a guard out on vacation with his family.”
Nick scratched the back of his neck. “Why do you think that?”
“They’re going to visit the Greyhill coven,” I said. “Wizards go to human places. They live long lives and get tired of the Mystik world.”
The book bounced across the table again. This time, two women in their sixties jumped out.
Nick pointed in the direction he had sent the family. “That way. Third bookcase. East wall.”
“Grazie,” they said in unison.
“How did you know where they wanted to go?” I said.
“The brochure in the shorter woman’s hand,” Nick said. “There’s some sort of festival happening in Greyhill.”
“Nice catch.”
He puffed out his chest. “I kill Demos every time in that True Detective game of his. He hasn’t learned to stop challenging me. He owes me forty bucks already.”
“He’s from another world,” I said. “Maybe you should take it easy on him. Come on. Let’s finish this and get out of here.”
We searched around for another fifteen minutes before Nick spotted the putti. Their painted wooden faces stared down at us. There were several of them occupying the many niches above the pillars. Each held a symbol of one of the arts and sciences.
“They’re sort of creepy.” Nick bent his head all the way back as he viewed the little statues.
“I think they’re cute.” My gaze stopped on the one holding the telescope. “And there’s our little guy.”
“Well, how are we doing this?” he said. “We don’t want any interruptions.”
“You should go hold the book closed while I get the Chiave.”
“Good idea.” He sauntered off.
“Yell when you’re ready,” I said.
“Sure thing.” He dragged his feet as he crossed the floor.
I frowned at his back. “Maybe in this lifetime?”
A few minutes later, he yelled from the other room, “Got it!”
I stared at the putto. He held a telescope up to his eye as if he were viewing something on the ceiling. I was so hoping that the material draping his private parts wouldn’t come off when he came to life.
I grabbed my locket and said, “Libero il tesoro.” Free the treasure.
The familiar wind that always came after reciting the charm swirled around me. The chill rushed across my skin, making it prickle. The putto lowered the telescope, the movement of his arm sounding like wood splitting. Thankfully, his loincloth remained where it should, and he bent his head to look down at me.
“Benvenuto, daughter of the seventh. I am Scopices, the keeper of the Chiave you seek. This telescope will allow the holder the ability to see through barriers.” He tossed the telescope down, and I readied my hands. The putto froze back in his position. I was horrible at catching things. The scope spiraled as it flew down at me and slipped through my fingers, clanking onto the floor.
“Graceful.” Nick snickered, crossing the room to me.
“It was a horrible throw. I’d like to see you try—”
The sound of another jumper coming through the book from the other room cut me off.
“Let’s get out of here already.” I handed Nick the Chiave to tuck into his bag.
“Surely, not all jumpers are a nuisance.” Bastien kicked back against a column with his arms and legs crossed—a pose that belonged in one of those hot guy calendars.
“Oh my goodness, what are you doing here?” I sounded way too excited.
He flashed me a playful grin. “I just happened to be passing through. There’s a festival in Greyhill. I have to make an appearance in my mother’s stead.”
Nick zipped his backpack closed and swung it on his shoulder. “I think I’ll go explore a little. Take your time.”
“The gateways have been busy lately,” I said when Nick vanished around the corner. My eyes stuck on Bastien’s. The blue in his shirt picked up their deeper hues. Like cobalt glass in the dark. His l
ower lip was fuller than his upper one. I hadn’t noticed that before. There was a beauty mark over his left eyebrow. I hadn’t noticed that, either.
My eyes were open now. I could see every wonderful thing about him.
He crossed the room to me, and the look on his face said he knew I was staring at him.
“I’m sorry. You just took me by surprise.” I glimpsed him through my bangs. His amused expression made my entire body aware of him. I pushed my fingers into the tight back pockets of my jeans and tried to act unaffected by his nearness.
“So what do you say?” He kept coming closer, until he was so close I could smell the hint of cologne on his shirt. “Would you like to go to a festival with me?”
I strolled off, moving slowly along the bookcases. He followed me.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “I have tons of homework tonight.”
He caught my hand.
I faced him. My hand tingled under his touch.
“Have you ever had a peach so sweet it’s euphoric?” he asked.
“No. But it sounds tempting.”
He massaged my fingers. “Come for a little while. I’ll have you back with enough time to do your work.”
I didn’t know why I hesitated. It was time for me to live, to be a girl, and enjoy my youth. I had been running from, running to, just running for way too long. I could get lost in Bastien. Enjoy myself. Erase the pain. Maybe even erase the nightmares.
“I would love that.” I slipped my fingers from his grasp and started walking again. If I kept moving, maybe he wouldn’t notice how nervous he made me. “What about Nick?”
“Don’t worry about me,” Nick said. “I’m a big boy. I can find my way home.”
“I think you’re running out of excuses.” Bastien kept pace with me, a smile pulling on his lips.
More people jumped in from the book. By the sounds of their voices, it was a group of girls.
Nick glanced over his shoulder. “Excuse me, I have doorman duty. Let me know what you decide.”
“Well, what do you say?” Bastien said.
“Hello, ladies,” Nick’s voice traveled from the other room.