Chapter 132: Chapter 16

ADELIE

They were aware I’d have backup. Esty rushed off somewhere, leaving me in a state of uncertainty. Should I wait for her or not? I was left pondering this question until she finally reappeared, bounding down the stairs.

She pressed a marble into my hand. “This will allow you to communicate with us,” she explained. I was puzzled. It was just a simple, shiny, white marble.

She opened her other hand to reveal an identical marble. “We’ll have this one with us at all times,” she assured me. I was still confused. “How does it work?” I asked.

“It works in pairs, one person at a time. It doesn’t work well if there are others around. It might pick up some sound, but it’ll be faint. Be careful though, it’s fragile,” she warned.

Kairos stepped forward. “I’ll take it,” he offered. Esty seemed hesitant at first. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, laying it on his palm for Esty to place the marble. She did, gently. Kairos then wrapped it up carefully.

He walked over to a chest of drawers, pulling out a length of brown yarn. He tied it around the handkerchief, fashioning it into a pendant that he hung around his neck.

Esty turned her gaze to me. “He’ll be listening, but don’t let them know you have it,” she instructed. I nodded in understanding, suddenly remembering the letter still in my pocket. Everyone was here. It seemed like the right time. I pulled it out and handed it to him.

He took it slowly, reading his name on the front. “Only open it if I don’t come back,” I told him. He stuffed it into his pocket. “I guess that won’t be necessary,” he said, offering me a sweet smile. “Stay safe.”

I nodded, looking around at everyone. Leonard stepped forward, handing me the replica of the book.

This situation wasn’t more dangerous than others I’d faced. But for some reason, it hurt more. Maybe because I had more time to think this time. Or maybe because I didn’t have to say goodbye. The same reason Kairos left without a word. The same reason I’d often gone into battle alone. The grief it causes us. The grief for those who are still alive.

I followed the small stick in my hands through the woods. The bright daylight gave me a bit of courage. After all, who would commit a crime in broad daylight, right?

The forest didn’t look any different as I ventured deeper, but it felt like I’d been walking for miles. The sun was already high in the sky, its heat beating down on my head.

“Adelie Murrell,” a voice called from behind me. A middle-aged man with stubble and a scrawny figure. “Follow me,” he said, offering a friendly smile.

I followed him through the bushes to a large clearing where a castle stood. It looked abandoned. The grounds were unkempt, everything was wilted and dry. Except for where I stepped, each footfall bringing life and color.

“What is this place?” I asked. He glanced at me, his eyes darting to the book I was clutching.

“This is where we’ll be working,” he replied.

“We?” I questioned.

He chuckled lightly. “My master, Ebenezer Wallis, will explain everything to you inside.”

I stopped in my tracks. “I’d be more comfortable if we stayed outside to talk.”

He turned to me, his tone darkening. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”

On impulse, I summoned vines from the ground to ensnare him. He struggled, but I left him there and moved on. I quickened my pace, letting Bloom emerge from the ground to follow closely behind me.

Then the castle doors opened. An old man stepped out. “I see you’ve trapped my servant,” he attempted to joke, but his confidence faltered when he saw Bloom behind me.

“What do you want?” I asked. “We both know I’m here only for the safety of my son.”

“That you will have. I have no intention of harming a child,” he assured me, approaching me. “But I do need you.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Do you know what’s in that book?” he questioned.

I nodded. “I’m aware. That’s all the more reason why I believe no one should have it.”

“I don’t want to destroy the world,” he said.

“I doubt you’re saving it either. What exactly are you planning to do?” I asked.

He pointed at the book. “It will make me powerful. That’s what I want. Power.”

“Why not take the book yourself? Why do you need me?” I asked.

“Only immortal blood can read it,” he explained.

“I’m not immortal,” I countered.

“Your body isn’t. But your blood is. You’re a healer, right?” I nodded. “Then you’ll be able to read it.”

“Where are you getting this information? You don’t know what I can do. You don’t know if I have the ability to read that damned book.”

“Then let’s find out,” he suggested, gesturing toward the inside of the castle.

“Speak here. What do you want to do?” I demanded.

The corner of his lip twitched upward, and he looked off into the distance. I instantly shielded myself, summoning a fence of roots around me. For all I knew, he could have a sniper hidden somewhere.

The man in front of me approached. I could still see him through the gaps in the fence. “Resisting me might not be the wisest decision,” he warned.

He retreated to the castle door and called someone out. A boy was brought out, his hands cuffed and his face covered with a cloth. He was wearing the same clothes as Elias, the same shoes.

I quickly picked up the marble and discreetly held it near my face. “Where is Elias?” I asked.

“Elias is here,” Kairos responded.

“Check,” I instructed.

“On it,” he replied. “He’s here.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. The man held up a knife and moved behind the boy. It wasn’t Elias, but he was just a boy. An innocent boy who hadn’t done anything wrong. “Don’t!” I shouted. He looked pleased.

“Come with me, Adelie,” he said, disappearing into the castle.

I let down my walls and surveyed my surroundings. There was no one else there. I followed him inside, confident that I could still fight him off, even behind these walls.

I was still clutching the fake book tightly.

Inside, I found myself in a castle with stone walls and a chandelier that nearly filled the ceiling. “I know we didn’t get off to a good start, but I believe we can change the future for us. I mean no harm. But I know you wouldn’t just hand over the book if I asked,” he said.

“If you had a good reason, I would,” I replied.

He turned to face me. “I want to become powerful, like you.”

“You’ve killed my kind,” I said bitterly. “What good will more power do you? Good people don’t kill.”

“There are other immortals I could call for help. Others who would misuse those powers.”

“But you need me,” I pointed out. He could have found someone easier to manipulate. There must be something that others couldn’t give him.

“Give me the book,” he demanded.

He could have it. Let his friends try to read what wasn’t written there. I would never let them find the real one.

I handed him the book and he opened it. His eyes darted to me. “It’s blank.”

I shrugged. “Is it not supposed to be?”

“Haven’t you seen it before?” he asked, his tone angry.

I shrugged innocently. “I never looked inside.”

He nodded. “Thank you,” he said. “But I suggest you hear my plan before you leave,” he added, walking toward the back of the staircase that led to the basement. I still felt my energy with me. I was still powerful enough. I just needed to stay cautious.

We entered a lab filled with various substances, vivid colors, and books strewn across the floor.

He walked to the other side of the table and sat down. I rested my hands on the table.

“I don’t intend to end the world, Adelie,” he said. “But I want to have more influence. To be someone important. I will do good.”

“But you’re willing to murder others to get there. How many lives have you taken?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t need you. But since you did this, I have to keep you,” he said.

“Did what?” I asked, confused.

He stood up and threw the book on the ground. “I need the book. The real one. I know you took it. But why were you so stupid to give me a fake one?”

“That is the real one. I took it from the vampire coven,” I defended.

“I’ve seen the original. Once. And so have you. When Aldred sought power,” he said.

He knew…

I gathered my energy to…but nothing happened. The vines? They could break through walls. Or my death angel guides?

“You see…cyanide is just as draining for mythical creatures as it is for humans,” he said.

I looked down at my hands, now covered in blisters. I had touched the table. He hadn’t. He just sat there.

“You tricked me?” I asked.

“You tried it first. Don’t worry, you’ll live. I need you alive when someone brings the book to me,” he said.

They won’t know where it is. Even as my vision started to blur, I knew. And I wouldn’t let them know. Even if it meant dying here.