Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  The look on Azure’s face must have spoken of her confusion.

  “These are the government buildings. The market is owned by the people, and is left to our design. The government takes care of everything else: laws, mail, banking, and the library.” Laurel pointed to a large building in the center that rose higher than all the rest, although it was quite skinny in comparison. “That’s the library. Come on, we can slip in through the back.”

  The werecat grabbed Azure’s arm and pulled her with impressive strength through the narrow alleyways between the stone buildings. It was more claustrophobic in the clean alleys than it had been in the back closets of the open-air market for some reason, but soon they came to a set of steps that led down into the basement of a building. Laurel ran down and stuck her claw into the lock of the door, jiggling it back and forth until a click greeted their ears.

  Ever still held Azure by the hand, and he pulled her through the door Laurel opened for them. The hallway was dark, but there was light at the far end. They sprinted after the werecat over slick floors, which were a strange contrast to all the places they’d been recently.

  “What book is it that you seek?” Laurel asked as they ran.

  “The Book of Branches,” Ever answered, his tone sharp.

  When they reached a set of stairs, Laurel turned and stared at the two. “Our library, I suspect, isn’t what you’re accustomed to.”

  “Why would you say that?” Azure asked.

  “Because I’ve read every book in it, and many detail how other libraries operate. My people have cut themselves off from others for too long. We do things…” Laurel trailed off, a new pain in her eyes.

  “What is it? What are you not saying?” Azure asked.

  “We do things wrong, Queen Azure.” Laurel turned and looked at the dark stairwell at her back. “However, I know exactly where the book you seek is, so follow me.”

  Azure nodded and turned to Ever, who looked more than cautious. They bounded up the staircase, which brought them into the narrow five-story-tall library. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books. However, the one thing the incredible library lacked was stairs leading to the books above the first level. There was only a single ladder on wheels that sat against one wall.

  “There’s one ladder to get to all these books?” Azure asked in disbelief.

  “Most here don’t read,” Laurel said, shaking her head with disappointment. Her eyes were aimed at the top of the library. “I’ll be right back. I know exactly where it is.”

  “Wait,” Azure said in a hushed voice. “You’re leaving us down here?”

  Laurel had grabbed the ladder and wheeled it to the shelves on the left side of the building. “Yes, but I’ll be back soon,” she said as she climbed up the ladder, her eyes pinned to the top.

  Azure turned to Ever. “Why do you have that stressed look on your face?”

  “Because I can hear someone very large coming,” he said, turning and facing the main entrance, which was just past the basement stairwell they’d entered the library from.

  Azure lifted her head. Laurel was quickly climbing the ladder, her chin held high. She was near the third level now.

  The front door to the library blasted open and a giant wind hit Ever and Azure in the face.

  “Sorry, Queen Azure, but you’ve got to go,” Ever said and reached out and pushed her hard toward the stairs that led to the basement. Azure stumbled forward and her foot caught on the first stair. She tumbled head over heels down the stairs, rolling until she hit the bottom.

  Her back screamed at her and her head was bleeding again. Fuck, Ever! What the fuck was that deranged hybrid’s problem?

  Azure rolled onto all fours and was about to scream up the stairs when a shadow cast her in darkness.

  “Where is she?” a gravelly voice asked.

  “You mean the intruder?” Ever’s voice rang down to where Azure was heaving rattled breaths. “I killed her.”

  “Who are you?” someone said.

  “I am Ever, a vampire who has come seeking your help.”

  A deep laugh echoed from the main floor. “There are no more vampires. You’re crazy. What are you? I smell that you’re were. What animal are you?”

  “I am not a were. I was once a bat, which is why you mistake my smell. I’m a vampire, and have come here to seek refuge with your people,” Ever said, his voice calm.

  “You must know that we won’t help a vampire. You aren’t like us. You’re the worst version of us. And what you do destroys our reputation,” the voice boomed.

  “That may be so, but I’m asking for your help. And in exchange for your cooperation, I’ll help you overthrow this government.”

  A short silence followed was followed by a creaking so loud Azure heard it from the stairwell. She hurried up the stairs, keeping her body low.

  “Who it that up on the ladder?” the deep voice asked.

  Azure stared out to see Laurel grab a large book from the fifth level of the shelves. With the book pressed to her chest, she hurried down the ladder.

  “Laurel, what are you doing?” the voice asked, bounding forward.

  Azure saw that the voice belonged to a huge bear who towered over Ever. The Light Elf had backed up and was using his arms as a shield. The bear leaned over Ever and hissed into his face.

  “If you’re a vampire, then prove it! Show me what you’re capable of,” the bear named Lorde growled.

  At the door Azure heard laughter. So they weren’t alone. Fucking awesome. She pulled her wand out and pointed at the bear. She’d only have one chance, and if she failed, then they all failed.

  She threw her wand in the air and muttered, “Palice.”

  A hundred bats flew down from the ceiling, covering the werebear’s face and circling his cronies by the door. Screaming followed the sound of bat wings. Azure heard footsteps and stood just in time to see Ever hurrying toward her with Laurel in tow. The gigantic bear, whose body was covered in armor, swung his huge paws around his head to knock away the bats. Soon he’d realize that they weren’t real.

  “This way!” Laurel said, speeding down the stairs in the opposite direction of the alley entrance. The hallway was almost pitch-black here, but they followed, pressed close to each other. After they heard a latch click, a door swung open. Azure felt a hand pull her forward.

  “We’re taking the underground passage. It will be safe for now, but real danger awaits us on the other end. I’m sorry, Queen Azure. This is the only way to get you out.” Laurel spoke into her ear from close by.

  Azure tried to speak, but instead only nodded.

  “I can see in the dark. Hold onto my hand, and the hand of your friend. We’ll make it through the tunnel and hope the sky isn’t bleeding when we surface,” Laurel said, closing the door behind them and taking her hand. Azure clamped onto Ever’s hand and turned to give him a reassuring look, but she couldn’t see a damn thing—she was blind down here. Thankfully they had a cat to lead them.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Laurel’s claws pierced Azure’s hand, but the queen didn’t let go. The sounds of ragged breaths and their feet slapping the floor were extra loud, because their hearing had gone into overdrive to make up for the blindness. If Azure had time, she would have pulled out her wand for light.

  They rounded a sharp corner and Azure’s knee connected with the wall, but she kept her complaint locked in her mouth.

  “Do you think Lorde will catch up?” Azure asked through panting breaths. “Could he be waiting for us wherever this ends?”

  “No,” Laurel said, pulling them around another turn. “I know the underground network better than him—he’ll be lost in no time. I’ll only take us to the top when we’re outside the city and close to the cave mouth.”

  Relief filled Azure. They were going to escape.

  “But you said that real danger was waiting for us at the other end. What does that mean?” Ever said from behind Azure.

  Laurel halted,
and Azure ran right into her, but Ever slowed in time. In the pitch-black of the tunnels, the beating sounds of the city above them felt like a pulse. Two eyes lit up—Ever’s. The blue lights shone, making his face and theirs slightly visible. The effect didn’t seem to bother Laurel, who swallowed and turned her head to the ceiling.

  “We’re about to go through a trapdoor above. We’re far outside the city, which puts our lives in even more peril. We are safe outside during the day, but when the sky bleeds just before the sun sleeps, we all find safety inside our homes,” she said, her voice vibrating with fear.

  “Is it Lorde’s goons?” Azure asked, wondering what could be making the werecat shake. Her hand was still pressed into Azure’s arm.

  “No, these monsters scare even Lorde. You see, we as wereanimals have retained some of our humanity. However, there’s a pack of werewolves who live in the ridges around Lancothy, and they’ve gone feral,” Laurel said.

  “Werewolves? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Azure said, her soul stone growing hot on her chest suddenly. She pressed it between her fingers.

  “Can we stay here for the night?” Ever asked, his eyes still glowing.

  Laurel’s gaze darted to something over his shoulder. “I don’t think so. Lorde will continue to look for us. He’ll probably be taking refuge in these tunnels or the library since it’s not safe for anyone, even him, in the city after dark.”

  “Well, if we encounter a werewolf, what do we do?” Azure asked, taking her wand in her hand.

  “Do?” Laurel asked like that was the silliest question ever. She turned to a ladder that led to a trapdoor in the ceiling of the tunnel. “There is nothing you can do. You run like hell and pray that your death is swift and painless.”

  “Well, since I’m not the praying type I’ll just run.” Azure waited until Laurel was halfway up the ladder before she started to climb.

  Evening light made the green hills of the countryside glow yellow as they disembarked from the tunnel. They were far outside the city, and ahead of them Azure recognized the cave mouth through which they’d entered Lancothy. The sun couldn’t be seen since it had set, and the mountain walls only caught remnants of light from overhead where the peak was gone and through the fissures on the side. That was the western side of the mountain, Azure realized now, which allowed for more sunlight to be captured. It also created a strange effect as the waning sunlight filtered over the city and ridges.

  “Here, this is yours now.” Laurel thrust a leather-bound book with a thick spine into Azure’s hands. It smelled of dust, and the thick pages were yellowed from age.

  “Thank you,” Azure said, and then added, “For everything.”

  “Thank me when I get you out of Lancothy alive.” The werecat’s green eyes scanned the hills and stopped on a ridge to one side of them. They were roughly half a mile from the cave entrance.

  “I can hold the Book of Branches for you,” Ever said, extending his hand to Azure.

  She shook her head, although the book was large and took up a lot of room as she held it across her chest with one hand. This book was her responsibility, and the answers it held could potentially save her people.

  “Let’s go,” Laurel said, her eyes on the sky that could been seen through the fissures on the western side. “We don’t have long.”

  “What about you?” Azure asked as they set off in a quick trot. “Will it be safe for you to sleep in the cave tonight, or can the werewolves get in there?”

  Laurel’s eyes scanned the hills. The sky overhead was yellow mixed with burnt orange. “The werewolves were cursed long ago by a shaman and can’t enter the caves, leave Lancothy, or break into a dwelling of a wereanimal inside the kingdom.”

  “That’s why you all stay in at night,” Ever said, piecing it together.

  “Yes,” Laurel confirmed. “However, anything not behind closed doors is free game. And they’ve proven too many times that they will show no mercy.” A haunted expression lingered in Laurel’s eyes.

  “Well, I guess we should be grateful that the werewolves can’t leave Lancothy.” Azure noticed that the animals that had grazed these hills before were gone, presumably locked away for the night.

  “Grateful?” Laurel’s voice was loud with offense. “My people have been menaced by these werewolves for centuries. Do you know that I’ve never seen the night sky? Most in Lancothy haven’t. And we can’t kill the werewolves without destroying Lancothy.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any offense,” Azure said.

  Laurel shook her head. “No, I realize you didn’t. It’s just a sensitive subject. Long ago—when Lancothy was first established by our ancestors—two shamans came here. They warned us that cutting ourselves off from the rest of Oriceran civilization was wrong and unnatural. Our leader at the time, a werewolf, took great offense to this. He slaughtered one of the shamans. The other shaman demanded that we punish our leader, but our ancestors refused. The shaman cursed us all, saying that we had divided ourselves from Oriceran and therefore we’d remain divided inside the mountain of Lancothy. He turned all the werewolves feral. They now own the night, and we are given the day. If we try and hunt the werewolves, or even hurt them in defense of our own lives, the mountain of Lancothy will destroy itself. We can’t fight back, only hide. Therefore, the werewolves remain separated from us. We were afraid of living outside Lancothy because of prejudice, so the shaman said we would live only half-lives and the biggest danger would be ourselves.”

  A cold breeze swept across Azure’s neck. She shivered, and only realized that Laurel had halted when she’d taken several steps past her. “Laurel, is everything all right?” Azure asked, turning back to the werecat. Her sharp eyes were fixed on the sky.

  A vibrant red was taking over the sky where the orange had been.

  “Is that what you mean by the sky bleeding?” Ever asked.

  “Yes,” Laurel said, twisting around with violent fear in her eyes. “The werewolves have been invited out.”

  Azure shot her gaze to the green peaks bordering the cave. The ridges and peaks of the mountain were sharp, not rounded like the mountains around Virgo. To her relief, the area was empty save for the long green grass.

  “Come on. We don’t have far now.” Laurel indicated the area up ahead where the cave ladder was.

  A long and loud howl pierced the approaching night, sending a shock of fear down Azure’s spine. She tightened all over, and dared to look back at the mountains. Staring at them from the lowest ridge were five werewolves, their teeth bared. They were roughly a hundred yards away. The beasts were huge, easily the size of Lorde, but where he somewhat resembled a human in his features and posture, these werewolves were all animal. They stood on all fours with menace in their glowing yellow eyes.

  “Fuck my life,” Azure whispered, gripping the book tighter to her chest.

  “Run!” Laurel commanded, taking off at a sprint.

  Azure and Ever broke into a run behind the werecat, who was much faster than them. They heard something tearing after them a second later. When she glanced over her shoulder, Azure was stunned. The werewolves were fast, and had already cleared half the distance between them. She was still fifty yards from the cave wall.

  “Keep going!” Ever screamed.

  Azure realized he wasn’t running. She sprinted on, wondering what the hell he was doing, and kept moving even when the ground rippled under her feet. She turned back to find Ever facing the approaching werewolves with his hand outstretched. The ground under the werewolves buckled, throwing them off balance and in several different directions.

  “Come on!” Azure yelled to Ever, realizing he’d bought them some time. Some. Not a lot.

  She waved her wand at him and then her foot, muttering an incantation that would speed up their progress, then turned back around and sprinted faster than before. Laurel was already at the cave wall, but she wasn’t climbing. Instead, the werecat was pushing aside brush and rocks in a shallow depression in the
rocky wall.

  “Help me!” Laurel screamed when Azure was only a few yards away, her feet on fire from the quick run.

  “What are you doing? The ladder!” Azure said, pointing to the wall beside them.

  “We’d never make it up in time, but there’s another trap door here that leads to a chute that will take us out of Lancothy. However, it hasn’t been used in several centuries, and plants have blocked it.” Laurel clawed at the vines and dirt obscuring the door.

  “Help her,” Azure ordered Ever, who had arrived beside her. A growl that was worse than any nightmare cut through the air. All three of them straightened, but only Azure dared to turn around. Five black and gray werewolves stood only a few yards away, with a ravenous look in their eyes and their mouths dripping saliva.

  “Hurry,” Azure hissed, holding her wand at the ready. She could attack the werewolves with magic, but that would trigger the curse and cause Lancothy to destroy itself. With fear beating a drum in her head, she heard a voice in her head…her gran’s.

  “Don’t fight an army when you can pit them against each other,” the old witch said in Azure’s mind.

  The werewolves were watching her, waiting for the perfect moment to attack. Azure took a single step back, conscious that Ever and Laurel were trying to open the door. The werewolf at the front took a step in her direction, his head held high and murder in his black eyes. He had to be the alpha. Azure flicked her wand in the direction of the werewolf beside him and yelled, “Uvećanje!”

  The werewolf enlarged suddenly, his bones extending until he was taller than the alpha wolf. The beast hulked over the smaller werewolves.

  “What in the hell are you doing?” Ever asked at Azure’s back.

  “Creating a war,” Azure said breathlessly, her wand vibrating in her hand. Ever reached for her waist, yanking her back to the rock wall just as the gigantic werewolf lunged for her. She slammed into the rock, her left shoulder taking the impact. The werewolf loomed over her and Ever, the drool from his mouth landing at their feet. The beast’s canines were the size of her head, his breath was hot, and the growl in his throat sent violent shivers through Azure’s arms.