Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
EVIE
T he library was stuffier than ever, and the closed doors weren’t helping.
No breeze flew in from the window after the storm that never was; the heavens had already spent all their energy. The musky scent of the dark wood and old books wasn’t the same without that sweet gust.
Noise floated in instead. Not shouts exactly, but it looked like I’d lived to see the day when people raised their voices in Phoenix Peak. Perhaps the strong winds had damaged a part of the temple–it had definitely done a number on the ornaments on my eaves. Pieces of them were now littered between the markings I’d carved. They’d survived through the night, but my sudden eagerness had not.
I wanted to protect my home. But to see him again and…what? Beg? Because asking him anything felt a lot like begging right now.
The Blood Brotherhood somehow managed to ruin my plans even when I sequestered myself as far away from its madness as I could.
So the door was staying closed–especially when I talked to Allie.
I’d given my trust too freely in the past.
Never again.
Not after knowing Goose and Leesa were innocent.
Not with Adara’s promise of loyalty.
And not after feeling the echo of his endless pain.
Xamor above, I finally had a speck of understanding for my parents. If they truly feared something–or someone–in the Clan world and didn’t trust anybody, then it was no wonder they isolated themselves in the mountains. That didn’t excuse the fact that they’d dragged me after them in the name of “safety”.
“They could have left the books open before you three vanished,” Allie’s voice rang out from the portal.
I shook my head, staring at the shelves. It was definitely better than staring at my drapes every single night, as if hope clung to their threads and opportunity would appear from their flutters.
The noises outside grew. As soon as I was done here, I needed to find out what in Xamor’s name was going on. Were they rebuilding Phoenix Peak all over again? Someone was definitely shouting instructions.
“Sometimes the pages didn’t fill up with words,” I said. “They had to be opened and closed.”
“Why would Mara and Falor hire someone to handle books?” Allie asked. “Was there any discernible pattern?”
I frowned, piecing together all those frustrated memories of opening the palaver book, my only connection to the outside world, only to find nothing but blank pages. Sometimes for days and weeks on end. “No. It felt…accidental. Who lived in my parents house after we vanished?”
“Nobody. Grandpa Constantine searched it from top to bottom for any clue. When he didn’t find anything, he boarded it up. The rest of the family just went there now and then to retrieve some trinkets and family heirlooms, nothing else. Silas took some of your baby crowns for Clara, Dax and Dara got your toys. I got your mahogany rocking horse. Sorry.”
I huffed a laugh that didn’t reach my eyes or soul. “I’ll live.”
“And after that…it was just left there. No sentinels, no visitors.”
“So anyone could have walked in.”
“Anyone who could get past Grandpa Constantine’s fearsome wards.”
That complicated matters even more.
Allie was right. My parents wouldn’t have left anyone behind and risk being discovered. Nobody would have bothered with books when they had a luxurious mansion to ransack. I finally turned back to her. “Why–”
The rest of the words died on my lips as I took in Allie’s concerned expression. She was worse at lying than me, her feelings so plain on her gorgeous face. I looked behind me. The door was still closed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“It’s just…” Allie licked her lips.
I frowned. Allie didn’t mince words. She was The Huntress, for gods’ sake, one of the most feared women in all of Malhaven. In the silence, the outside ruckus grew louder. “Out with it, Allegra.”
“You look like you’ve come back from a battle you didn’t win,” she said at last.
“You’re saying I look like a loser?”
“Defeated.” Her face drew closer to the portal. “I’m worried about you.”
I clenched my jaw until it hurt; at least it was a sensation in a sea of numbness. My heart still clung to the flicker which had risen in me, but my body refused to cooperate. “I’m standing, aren’t I? That’s an improvement.”
“It is,” Allie said in a measured tone. “But your cheeks are still pale and your clavicle is still showing through your clothes.”
“I’m fine,” I said in a small, unconvinced and unconvincing voice. Nothing but stubbornness was holding me up.
“Listen to me.” Allie’s forest green eyes shined with determination. “This cannot crush you. It’s horrible and I’m so sorry this happened, but you can’t let The Drag–”
“You said Dax is there?” I asked quickly, eager to change the subject and not hear his name. The mere mention of him sent my heart skittering in awful, untamable ways.
Allie’s brows rose. “Yes?”
“Bring him in, please.” I rolled my shoulders back. “I need some advice.”
Now that I was up and walking, it was time to deal with the problems I’d been ignoring.
Allie hesitated. “If you’re looking for relationship advice, literally anyone else would be better than Dax. Gods bless him and you know I love him, but the longest relationship he’s had was with his dog. And Patrocle died years ago.”
“Not that kind of advice.” I etched a smile. “I need some landscaping tips.”
Allie had barely given me a baffled look and went to find Dax when the commotion from the outside barged into my home.
Leesa was running.
Goose was shouting.
Adara was growling.
Quick, determined steps were coming closer.
I’d already flicked my switchblade open from the damn bracelet I couldn’t yank it out of when the doors flung open. Adara stared at me with all her might, her face grim.
“The Serpents have breached the Blood Brotherhood border,” she hissed. “We’re going to war.”