Chapter 28 #2
Ava shrugged. “I don’t care about power. And I’m not the biggest fan of being the center of attention and all that. Do you want to rule?”
Jareth replaced the book he was thumbing through and pulled out another. “I do.”
“Why?”
“It’s what I know. What I was trained for…” His voice trailed off as though he’d stopped himself from adding another detail.
“And?”
“And what?”
“There’s more to it. I can tell.”
Jareth shelved the book and met her gaze, his violet eyes bright against his golden hair. “I don’t agree with the way my father does things. Now stop asking so many incessant questions, you’re getting on my nerves.”
Ava sighed, continuing her search. Another half hour of looking and still nothing. Jareth was now leaning against the wall, eyes closed with his hands in his pockets.
“You’re useless. You’re not even looking anymore,” Ava said.
“You seem to have it handled.”
“Does he have any secret compartments or something? I doubt he’d leave anything incriminating out in the open.”
“How would I know? I’ve never been in here before.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Ava muttered, replacing the current political tome she’d been thumbing through.
Are you having any luck? Luna asked.
“Not yet. Jareth’s not even helping me look anymore.”
Shall I bite him the next time he comes into your suite?
Ava suppressed a laugh.
“What?” Jareth asked.
“Luna threatened to bite you if you don’t help.”
“Keep that filthy beast away from me,” he said flatly, eyes still closed.
“He just called you a filthy beast.”
That’s quite dramatic. If any beast is filthy, it’s Aro. I actually groom myself, unlike that giant bear.
Ava shook her head with amusement. At least she had Luna to keep her entertained in her thoughts while she did all the work. By herself.
“There must be some secret hiding place in here,” she whispered.
Her eyes scanned the room. Bookshelves lined the space, painstakingly organized with dozens of tomes.
Strange artifacts were displayed on one wall, but none looked as if they were important to their search.
The surface of the wide wooden desk was empty, and she’d found nothing in each of the drawers.
She’d even checked them for compartments like when she found her grandfather’s journal.
Nothing.
Hands on her hips, she released a frustrated groan when her eyes landed on a large, framed portrait on the far wall. A beautiful rendering of the castle. But there was something odd about it…something that drew her in.
She approached the art, carefully scanning the piece and running her fingers along the sides, feeling for a mechanism or anything out of place. She pulled at the frame, but it was attached securely to the wall and didn’t budge.
Moving to stand at the side of the picture, she evaluated the depth. There. Something…strange…sticking out just barely at the bottom right corner. Lifting her hand, she prepared to touch it.
It looked almost like… “Ouch!” She pulled her finger back as a drop of blood bloomed where it had pierced her. A miniscule needle. “Get over here,” she hissed.
Jareth pushed himself off the wall and joined her. “Yes?”
“Give me your hand.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
Jareth held out his palm. Ava grasped his hand and pressed his finger to the needle. He jerked his hand back, putting his finger in his mouth.
A click, and the picture swung open. “Blood lock, I knew it!”
“Do they have blood locks in the human world?”
“No, but we have fingerprint locks. Similar concept.”
Jareth crossed his arms and nodded to the compartment. “Well? What’s in there?”
Ava peered into the alcove. Only one item was present. A small tablet made from the pale stone of the castle, carved with stars and moons, and a strange jagged indentation in the center.
She held it up. “Only this.”
Jareth ran a hand over his face. “Of course he would have one of those.”
“What is it?”
“Valhet rementia.” His eyes met hers. “It’s quite rare, and can only be used by our people as it’s powered by starlight. It can store whatever information the owner desires.”
“Like a magical journal?”
“Exactly. Set it on the table.”
Jareth turned to a glass case on the shelf behind him, a glowing shard displayed beneath. Lifting it, he took the object and joined Ava standing beside the desk.
“What is that?”
“A star fragment. He’s the only one who has one.”
“It’s…beautiful,” she whispered. The way it glittered and shined, like it was alive and thrumming with power. “Can I…” she reached out, desperate to hold it.
Jareth pulled his hand back. “I’m not really in the mood to explain your death to your kingdom…so no.”
Ava placed a hand on her chest as her heart skipped a beat.
“Only powerful astral fae can handle them. It will instantly kill anyone else. Don’t ever touch it.”
“Okay,” she said, her voice wavering.
“Well…Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“We’re going to see what’s in there.” He pointed to the tablet.
“How?”
“You’ll see. Take my hand.”
“No. Absolutely not. You just said that thing could kill me.” She took a step back. “You do it and tell me what you find.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. We’re in this together now. Hold on tight.” He placed the fragment into the indentation in the center of the tablet and snatched her hand.
“No, Jareth. Wait—” Ava tried yanking from his grasp, but he was much stronger than her.
Holding his hand above the magical object, he murmured in another language. The star fragment glowed even brighter. The temperature in the room soared, stifling Ava’s breath. Energy crackled in the air.
“Jareth…” she gasped as a tiny bolt of lightning zapped her arm.
He ignored her, continuing the incantation.
With a surge of power, the star fragment flared—the light so harsh Ava was forced to close her eyes. A sudden pop echoed softly.
And everything disappeared.