Wow, I said. So much information!
Yes, said Sip. Were going to have trouble sorting through all of it.
Cant we use magic? I asked, wondering if there was a spell to search for my fathers name, or my mothers.
I already tried searching your mothers name, said Sip worriedly. Even that was a risk, because the spell leaves a residue, and if anyone looked they would know what I had done. Bad, because thats not what Im supposed to be doing here.
I nodded. Thanks for trying. And we dont know my dads name, presuming my mom kept her maiden name and didnt take his.
Exactly, said Sip, sighing. Theres nothing to search. I wish your mom had given us something; anything at all would help. Without his name its going to be difficult.
I just wish I could get her box open, I said. I have a feeling theres stuff in there that would help.
Until then, said Sip, lets start looking.
We spent the night searching. I started by checking all the volumes marked e. There was a ton of information on elementals, but it was mostly property records, birth records - again unhelpful without my fathers name - and spell records. We did find one interesting item, though, about elemental artifacts. Along the lines of the Mirror Arcane and Alixar, there were many magical artifacts that were filled with the essence of the paranormals power, and the elementals were no different. The ring I wore was one of those artifacts. I had taken it from the Astra ballroom, where it had been left in a gla.s.s case with the Mirror Arcane.
This is interesting, said Sip, holding up an old sheet of paper to her b.u.t.ton nose and examining it.
Is it about my parents? I asked hopefully.
No, said Sip, its about your ring.
I glanced down at the blue stone; the tiny diamonds were winking in the light.
It says that elementals, more than other paranormals, value a rings power to recognize its true owner. Theres a ring out there thats perfect for you and will make you more powerful.
How do we know this isnt it? I asked.
That ring is for a man, said Sip, pointing. Thats why its so big. You arent a man, are you?
Not last time I checked, I said dryly.
This is fascinating, said Sip, examining the paper. Your ring is relatively new. It was made of older stones, and is considered invaluable.
What about all the other elemental rings? I asked. Whatever happened to them when the elementals died?
Sip looked at me thoughtfully. You know, I bet they were gathered somewhere.
And put away for safekeeping, I said.
And where is safer than an archive? Sip asked quietly.
We looked around. All we saw was stacks of books, but given the importance of magical objects in the paranormal world - the Museum of Masks kept a certain branch of them safe, after all - there had to be more here in the archive, if only we could find them.
Sip and I both jumped to our feet and frantically started looking around.
There were boxes and chests, drawers and more boxes. We tore them apart. I tried to use my magic to sense other elemental magic, but it was useless. Archiving an object dampened or switched off its magic for a long time, so it was going to take more than my calling it to awaken the rings again.
After a while, the initial energy of our inspiration wore out, and we sat down and stared at each other.
Theres another floor, Sip said, pointing upward.
I followed her hand and sighed. It was starting to feel hopeless. But I glanced at my friend and said, I guess weve come this far.
She nodded.
In the middle of the room was a spiral staircase that led up to a loft, and Sip and I headed straight for it. As we carefully climbed upwards the steps creaked and groaned under our weight, as if they hadnt been used for a long time. I felt the layer of dust under my shoes and I reached to grab the railing for support, but it looked even more decrepit than the steps.
Once we were safely off the stairs, Sip lit a candle. The loft very much resembled an attic, and it smelled even more of must and old things than the big room downstairs. It was chock full of stuff.
How are we ever going to find anything in all this mess? I asked.
Over here, said Sip. The boxes are blue and brown.
They might just be brown from dirt, I said skeptically.
No, said Sip eagerly. She moved aside several smaller boxes until one large brown box was all that remained.
She tore it open and held the candle high.
Its a box of rings, she said gleefully. Look at all of them.
They were indeed elemental rings. All of them were dull, and none was as fancy as the ring I wore.
So, she said, someone at Public collected all the elemental rings and kept them. But to what end?
The scary version is that they kept them after the elementals died, in case there were ever more elementals, I whispered. The other option. . . .
Sip and I exchanged grim glances, but we didnt have a chance to discuss it further. Below, I heard the sc.r.a.pe of a door. Then, over the edge of the loft, I saw a light.
We werent alone.
Sip and I held very still. Barely moving, Sip extinguished the candle she held. What had happened to Lough and the warning he was supposed to give was anyones guess. In the darkness, we tried to stay very still and very silent.
I tell you, it has to be here somewhere, said a voice I recognized as Olivas.
And I tell you, he destroyed it before he ran away, said a voice that was definitely President Caids.
Sip and I exchanged glances as both of us tried not to stir. We were barely letting ourselves breathe.
He would never have destroyed something so important, Oliva argued.
He might have, to keep us from having it, said Caid. But at least we still have the Mirror Arcane. I did let it go back into Astra, but it doesnt have to stay there.
What would you do with it if you took it back? Olivas voice was directly under us. What you should consider is destroying it, said Oliva.
I started forward, about to confront the two leaders of the paranormals, but Sips hand on my arm stilled me. I rocked back on my heels, trying to contain myself. It was all I could to do keep silent.
No, said Caid, Im going to do something better.
After that I heard whispering. I saw Sip transform her ears into those of a werewolf, but no matter how hard either of us strained, we couldnt hear what Caid said. Neither of us dared to use magic.
Very well, said Oliva. I like that idea, but I still think it would make sense to destroy the Mirror if it means the darkness cannot have it.
Do you really believe, Caid asked, that they can use it to rein in the power of the demons? And if so, cant we paranormals do the same?
How do you propose to do that when the majority of the objects are now in their possession? Oliva asked cynically.
We have lost this war, said Caid. The best thing we can do is hand over Charlotte Rollins in exchange for the objects, then start over.
Charlotte Rollins is my student, said Oliva hotly. As long as she is such, you will not harm a hair on her head.
Sip gave me the thumbs up and a lopsided grin. Id never heard Oliva defend me like that before.
Very well, said Caid, but it will be our funeral.
Have you really given up so easily? Oliva asked.
I have not given up, said Caid. I am merely being practical.
You realize, said Oliva, that Dacer would never let you have her. No matter what danger you thought we were in or what you accused her of doing.
With that the voices started to fade. We didnt know what theyd been looking for up there in the archives, but we did know they hadnt found it - yet. One thing was clear: there was very little standing between me and certain death.
Chapter Twenty-Five.
It turned out that Lough had been frantically signaling us once he saw two forms, one short and the other stocky, heading into the archive. What we hadnt realized was how strong the protective spells were on the building, which was why his warnings hadnt gotten through.
We quickly made our way back to Astra, catching up with Lough on the way. Once we got home, I went straight up to my room and fell into an uneasy sleep.
Again, I didnt dream, and I woke up in the morning feeling irritable and almost more tired than when I had gone to bed the night before.
The news had been going from bad to worse. Every morning I would wake up and Sip and I would read the Tabble together in the Astra kitchen. No one questioned Sip about keeping her room in Airlee but barely being there. I felt sure that no other student would want Lisabelles room anyway. Theyd be too afraid that the darkness mage would return for her things and, if they were gone, be very angry.
Now, the morning after our foray into the Archive, I padded down to the kitchen and found Lough already reading the news. He looked startled when he saw me and made a grab for the Tabble.
It might be better if you didnt, he said sadly, as I pulled the Tabble toward me across the island.
There was the usual nonsense from Mound. Sip hadnt had an article published that day, or she would have already been awake.
Mounds article was about how there had been no sighting of any Nocturns in weeks. The ship that had attacked us had been filled with demons, and although the magic wasnt all their own, it hadnt been very strong. Because of how many demons there were we had almost lost, but we were never in real danger, which explained why Charlotte Rollins was able to save us . . . it wasnt much of an accomplishment.
This was all the usual stuff, nothing that should have made Lough so pale, so I scrolled down, skimming as I went. Then I found it, and gaped. It was an article about Malle and Keller, but mostly about Keller. He was working as a liaison between the darkness mages and the paranormal government, having meetings at the Police Academy. Both the mages and the paranormals were very impressed with his abilities and talents. He was a rising star in the diplomatic world.
But he doesnt want to be a diplomat, I said sadly.
At least the picture didnt show him smiling. He was standing with his hands clasped behind his back, wearing a suit that fit him perfectly, probably thanks to his mother. His eyes held something I was sure was anger as he stared into the camera. His parents must be so proud, I drawled. I took the Tabble back to my room as Lough watched me with worry in his eyes.
This was a Tabble I wanted to keep. Once I was alone I gently reached out and touched the picture again. At least I knew where he was and what he was doing, which was more than I could have said before, but seeing his face again only made the ache worse. I had pictures, but they were all from when we were together. I had put them away in a drawer, and I only looked at them when I was very upset or tired. It made me feel closer to him, but this picture was of what he was doing now, his life without me.
I went through the motions of cla.s.ses that day, but it was very hard to concentrate. That night Lough had some less upsetting news. Sip and I were in the living room plotting our next visit to the archives when he ran in and cried, We got a letter from Lanca! His cheeks were red and his hair was windswept. He had run all the way there from the dining hall.
The mail comes earlier, said Sip crossly, barely looking up from the ma.s.sive book she had on her lap.
She didnt send it through normal channels, said Lough.
Shes probably worried our mails being read, I said.
Shes probably right, said Sip, taking the letter from Lough. It had Lancas seal on it, the rapier, symbol of the Rapier vampires. Sip broke it and quickly scanned the letter.
Its not good, she said, but its not bad, either.
My dears, How are you? We are still camped outside Vampire Locke. They must have expected that I would return instead of staying hidden at Public like some pathetic excuse for a queen. I have tried to make contact with the power I have in the Blood Throne, but Im completely blocked. The darkness power here is incredibly strong. Ive never felt anything like it. Even our vampires have felt the pull. Darkness calls to darkness, doesnt it?
Vital and I are doing well. I know Sip is probably wondering.
Please write back soon.
Oh, and most importantly, I have heard nothing of Lisabelle. There is such a concentration of darkness power, though, that I would be shocked if she were not inside Vampire Locke.
I finished reading the letter, carefully re-folded it, and put it back in the envelop.
I dont get it, said Lough, frowning in confusion.
We told him that Lanca and Vital were dating and his eyes widened.
Brave man, he muttered.
You want to marry Lisabelle.
I dont need to be brave, said Lough. I just need to love her.
Sip rolled her eyes. Mush. I need to sleep. I must paint the Long Building tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Six.