Chapter 15
Keri
I fidget impatiently, waiting for the hours to pass until I escape the confines of the library. There is not much that requires my attention since Lynn took care of all the tasks that I normally space throughout the day. At this point, as far as my assigned duties at the library go, I’m nothing more than a glorified babysitter. At least it gives me more time for the leg of research I’m pursuing. Lynn’s notes from the line of inquiries I gave her to look into sits to the right of my elbow so that I can take them home and look them over tonight.
I tap my foot as I pull out the grimoire I’ve been studying for the last few days and my notebook. This book has been more difficult for me to get through than most. My trouble with it isn’t due to the subject matter. Everything within the pages is not only fascinating but also extremely informative. It is no wonder that the council decided to hide this volume in the vault, though it’s equally a pity for all the valuable information it contains. The mage who wrote this volume was an exceptional magician and an accomplished alchemist. Just reading what little I have has filled pages upon pages of my notebook not only with notes taken directly from the grimoire but also with some of my own thoughts and ideas to try.
My trouble with the text lies in one area alone—one eye-straining and headache-inducing area. As brilliant as the man was, his handwriting is atrocious. I can barely make out some of the faded words, especially now that I have gotten to this section regarding the occult matter of water and the sea, and the denizens within. I smile because not too long ago I would have taken that latter as representing immaterial beings. I never would have believed that Aquanas, or any other species, shared our world with us in the most literal sense. Strange that something so well-known became lost so easily. It has given me a new appreciation for the old grimoires and how what might have once been considered figurative may not have been.
This section on water is exceptionally interesting. The prima materia, the higher essence of water that shapes the world by its transmutation. Gerald Vancourte continues to speak of how aquatic entities are by nature specialists of transmutation, their primal connection to the element allowing them to break down and reform as they contain within their material form the substance of this power. This is what allows them to venture among men. Although each species appears to have differences, there are things in common—every night the sea reclaims that which belongs to it, and every day when the moon is full, that which is of the sea remains locked within it.
I bite my lip, recalling that Ro will soon have to return to the sea. He will never be able to go far from it no matter how much he wants to because he will always have to return to it at least every twenty-eight days whether he wants to or not. According to this book, aquatic species experience any intense interrelationship energetically with the sea’s daily pull. Given that line of reasoning, and what I know of the supplement from talking to Ro as well as a pair of kelpies who visited the library the other day, it works by blocking that specific energy connection. The side effects are bad, however. I can’t even imagine the pain that they suffer when they are forced to return to the water. I definitely can’t imagine anyone actually wanting that when it’s clear that separation from the sea causes such vicious withdrawal.
It makes me wonder what other side effects the supplement has. Are they dangerous? Do they worsen over time from taking it? If so, I’m glad that Ro ran out. Even if our time is limited this evening, I would prefer to spend what little time I can with him rather than know that he would suffer—and in the long term perhaps in ways that no one yet knows.
Why would Ro even want something like that anyway? Sure, it limits his ability to explore if he must return every night, but surely there must be a better way. If it came right down to it, I would much rather find a way to brew a potion that could allow me to be underwater with him for a day while we work together rather than harm him regardless of how much it makes my skin crawl.
I think I could deal with my fear of the sea under those terms—as long as we stay safely near the shore. And away from sharks. And if he really wants something to help him stay out of the water for a long period of time, then I can create something better. But it would take time... and a whole lot more research.
I regard the grimoire in front of me again and reach for my phone. I need to know if Adiele has discovered anything more about the supplement. If I can at least get a framework for understanding how it works better, I might be able to work with that. Ro hasn’t mentioned wanting to acquire it again, but Adiele will also know if he’s still determined to get it. If so, I will do everything in my power to provide him with something better.
I gulp quietly as I pull up my friend’s number. Even if it means asking for help from the coven—and disappointing my parents that I’m exploring other avenues of magic afield of the family practice of divination—to keep Ro safe, I will do everything in my power to make him what he needs.
I won’t tell him yet, not until I know for sure what the best route to take is. There is no reason to potentially upset him right now. Especially not when he’s obviously looking forward to tonight. If I didn’t know better, I would swear that it’s a date.
It’s not a date. I can’t forget that. Whatever else Ro is looking for here—it’s not for me. He would have already said so if it was. I should be relieved that I don’t have to negotiate such a complicated relationship, so why does my heart hurt so damn much?