Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
~ Shade ~
Idon’t know what Galen has been smoking, but the oracle can’t have left these for me. …Can he?
My mind spins as I stare at the hand-stitched leather books. Being able to speak to the zenali was strange enough, but now…being able to read the oracle’s hidden journals or whatever they are? Goosebumps prickle over my skin.
If what Galen’s suggesting is true, then it means the oracle left these for me while simultaneously warning my mates to be wary of me. But why? It makes no sense. Beware the bond of your beloved mate.
Then again, it’s possible these weren’t left for me at all, and it’s simply a coincidence Galen found them this time. Yep, that’s it. It’s just a coincidence. Only, I’d have an easier time believing that if I wasn’t the only one who seemed to be able to read them…
My stomach churns, and I stand there not sure if I should be excited or terrified by the ancient books.
I mean, what if the journals detail more about the prophecy and the possibly horrible things I’m predicted to do in the future?
Is that why the oracle left them? As a warning and so I could attempt to stop myself?
I shiver. “Who else knows about them?”
“Only Raith, Thane, and Knox,” Galen replies casually. “As for the shadow queen and the other originals, they’re unaware, and for now I’d like to keep it that way. The same goes for the demon queen and her kings.”
“What? What’s wrong with telling Blake?”
“The more who know about these books, the higher the chance that Queen Krosia will hear of them. And when that happens, she will likely demand for you to tell her every word written on these pages. We would like to keep the shadow queen’s attention away from you as much as possible.”
Ah. Right. I want to point out that I trust Blake with my life, but I’m pretty sure Galen already knows that.
For now, I guess keeping this between us makes sense.
Besides, Blake has enough on her plate with the demon generals.
“What about Ambrose and Germain?” I ask uncertainly. “Surely they’ll discover them.”
Galen doesn’t look fazed by this suggestion. “That’s unlikely. No one but Raith and the others even know this library exists, and now you. There were no witnesses when we brought the books here, so provided we all keep this to ourselves, the secret will be safe.”
A secret library? When I was a child, one of my favorite books included a secret garden, and I’d always wished I could’ve had one of my own. But a secret library…now that sounded even better.
“Not to mention, the shadow queen only cares for items that are deemed ‘useful,’” Galen adds. “If she does not see value in the information these books provide, she is just as likely to order their destruction.”
Anger cuts through me at the idea of that, and I find myself disliking the shadow queen just that little bit more. “Let me guess, it’s not useful unless it details ways to end the war?”
Galen’s lips twitch.
I blow out a breath. “Okay, so where should we start?”
He gestures with his hand to the bookcase indicating that I get to pick. My excitement finally wins over, and shadows curl around my hand as I reach for a book on the top shelf.
“Volume One,” I murmur. “Seems like a good place to begin.”
My heart races as I slide the journal from the bookcase, and I move toward a nearby armchair. Before I can sit, Galen drops down first, then he pulls me onto his lap. His lips brush against my ear, and I run my fingers over the soft buttery cover before turning to the first page.
For the next while, Galen and I remain curled up together while I read page after page of handwritten notes.
The theme for this volume is the flora of the shadow realm, and I try to take it all in as I read about the vegetation growing in various regions.
I can’t understand everything I read. There are words that have no meaning to me, and most times I assume it’s because they’re the names of places and creatures.
Small, pencilled sketches are peppered throughout the journal, and I take my time studying them.
By the end of the book, I’ve read about dozens of poisonous flowers and berries, and at least ten species of trees that drag their prey into a hollow cavity at the base of their trunks, using a liquid to digest and consume them.
Galen already knew about most of these, but I make a mental note of their descriptions so I can avoid the trees if I ever encounter them in the wild.
When I finally close the book, I shudder.
“Well, that’s going to give me nightmares.
Why does everything in the shadow realm want to kill and eat each other? ”
Chuckling, Galen presses a kiss to my temple.
Volume Two talks about the geography of the shadow realm, from the rocky terrain near the craggy mountains in the north, to the sprawling forests that cover a large portion of the land to the south.
I end up skimming over portions of the chapters, with the intention to come back to them when or if we need.
There are chapters in there about the relationship of the flora and fauna with the land, but it’s hard to understand.
Something about the importance of protecting the balance.
When I ask Galen if he can explain, he seems as confused as I am.
I get all excited when we start Volume Three, and I realize we’re reading about the fauna in the shadow realm.
The idea of ancient creatures makes me think about my phoenix, and I wonder if there’s information in there about her.
She still hasn’t hatched from her egg, and it’s safe to say I’m getting worried.
My mates seem to think it may simply be part of her rejuvenation process, but I can’t help feeling like something is wrong.
I make it through the first half of the journal, and there’s no mention of ancient phoenix creatures, but something else snags my attention.
Chapter 6: Bonding and binding to shadow creatures.
The first part is all about bonding with the animali, and the relationships shadow warriors have with their creatures.
Most of the information I already know, but it’s when I get to the binding section that I sit up straighter.
Unlike bonding which is a more natural connection between two or more living beings, like when an animali chooses a warrior, binding can happen between a living being and a soul that does not have a body.
To bind, a ritual must be performed that includes chanting a series of ancient words, and the souls connect.
If the living host dies, the connected soul will also be lost. At first, I’m only thinking of the lost souls in the shadow realm.
It makes me wonder whether anyone has tried to bind with them before.
But then my mind goes to the shadows, Elgen and Tarlaz.
They haven’t ever explained what they are.
Only that somehow, they were here when the academy was built and they became trapped within these walls.
Are they lost souls connected to this building?
I can’t answer that, but I do know they’ve been trapped in this place for centuries.
They’ve been hoping I could find a way to free them, and a surge of excitement goes through me as I wonder if I’m onto something.
If I could bind them to someone, then they could leave this place.
It’s not the same as being free, but it could be a good start.
Then, maybe, we could find them bodies of their own.
I file that thought for later and move on. I’m busy reading about a nightmarish shadow creature that lives in mountain caves, when a sharp pain stabs my stomach. Gasping, I grip the book tighter.
“What’s the matter, treasure?” Galen’s smooth words caress my ear.
I breathe through the pain until it disappears. “It’s nothing,” I say, forcing a smile. “Have I mentioned that these journals are going to give me nightmares?”
Galen’s still frowning when he replies, “I’m sure that’s not something you have to worry about. Knox will never let you have nightmares again.”
My breath catches. Oh right. Because he wouldn’t risk letting Professor Yevar find me. I nod and readjust my position, returning my focus to the journal. As I shift, my creature’s egg presses against my chest. “Do you think we’ll find any information on her in here?” I ask softly.
“Her?”
I gesture to my phoenix’s egg.
“Perhaps,” Galen replies thoughtfully.
I swallow. “I mean, she should have hatched by now, right? This can’t be normal, can it?”
Galen’s lips thin. “We have no idea what is normal for this creature. I’ve never encountered one like it before, so I cannot say what is expected behavior. Raith has heard of them but even his knowledge is limited. It is possible that this journal may be your best hope of gaining information.”
I nod absently, because it’s the conclusion I’d already come to.
“It will be good for you to learn of all these creatures,” Galen goes on. “We can’t be sure what zenali the queen will order you to question, and any information could help during the interrogations.”
“Interrogations? Do you have to call it that? Can’t we just call it, having a conversation?”
Galen arches a brow, but his expression is sympathetic.
“I call it that because I have no doubt you’ll have an audience, and an interrogation is what the queen will be expecting.
She’s not interested in a conversation with the zenali.
Never has been. That woman thinks with her sword and her shadows.
Anything outside of that in her eyes is wasting time. ”
My brows lower as I think on that. “Yeah, see I still don’t get it. Humans were brought here and turned into shadow warriors to protect this land, but she doesn’t seem to care about the zenali or the creatures here.”