Part 18 (2/2)

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 s.h.i.+p 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.

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