Part 20 (2/2)

Are there pictures? I asked.

Sigil nodded. Most of the second floor is pictures of generations of Nascaros.

I bolted. Behind me I heard Sigil say forlornly. Always running here and there. I wish shed just relax by the fire with a good book. He paused, then added, Or even a mediocre book.

I heard Sip running after me. Maybe after we defeat the Nocturns, she called back to him.

Maybe youd have a better chance of not being killed by them if you stopped trying to defeat them, so to speak.

Sigils words were drowned out after that as I pounded down the staircase from the library. I was going so fast that I nearly fell when I reached the second floor. Having been a dorm for hundreds of students at one time, Astra was ma.s.sive. I had barely started to explore it, but I was going to remedy that omission now.

There were several small studies I had never been in, which had simply remained locked. Leaving them that way gave me more of a comforting feeling when I had the place all to myself.

The first study was called The Kings Room. I gently placed my hand on the handle, unlocking it with my touch, and stepped inside. There was one big window overlooking Astras back yard and the stream that flowed toward the dorm. And there were pictures everywhere.

Sip coughed. Dust in here, why dont you?

Yes, I have nothing else to do, I muttered.

Its not like you have much of a social life, Sip commented.

She was right. Most of our fellow students looked at me like it was my fault the Nocturns had taken over Vampire Locke. It was a constant comfort to me to remember that Queen Lanca didnt think so.

Over there, said Sip. On the wall around the window there was a small plaque that read, Nascaro Family, and under it were several pictures.

Here, she said, pointing. And here.

There were pictures of aunts and cousins of the Nascaros. As I counted faces I realized that I was seeing more of the extended family, and even that wasnt very big.

They were the first targets, said Sip. If the Nascaros had always ruled, it would make the most sense to get rid of them first. They were a very powerful family, not just among the elementals but among all the paranormals, but they didnt have as much protection as, say, the Rapier vampires. Im sorry, Charlotte, but it looks like their goodness is what brought about their demise.

Chapter Twenty-Eight.

I went to the library by myself. Sip wanted to go with me, but I told her I needed to be alone. I dont know why I thought my entire life story would just be lying in a book waiting for me, but I wanted it to be.

After hours of research and the sun disappearing into the night I realized that the whole enterprise was silly. There was absolutely nothing here to confirm what Sigil had said, but somehow I still believed him. Sighing, I closed the book I was reading. Putting the books on the cart so the librarian could put them back in the right place, I headed out into the darkness. I hadnt realized how long Id been there until I went outside and didnt see any other students around. It was past curfew. It was vampire time.

Even though I was on Publics campus, I walked faster. The night swept around me and the cold wind picked up. I glanced behind me, but saw nothing, so I turned around and focused on the path in front of me. A heavy footstep was the only warning I had before I went sprawling.

I tried to catch myself as I tumbled backward, but it was too late. I fell hard on the cold ground, my shoulder slamming into the earth.

Get up, hissed the hooded figure. I couldnt see any of their faces, but there were three of them, none very tall.

What, are you afraid to show your face, Faci? I asked, trying to goad the vampire into doing something stupid.

The figure nearest to me, the one who had knocked me over, stepped forward and said, You think youre so great as an elemental, and your friends are so cool. The voice was like thick smoke and dark wind, without a trace of kindness.

Now that youve told me what I think, can I leave now? I asked. I wanted to grab the hooded figure and use my elemental magic, but I knew I was outnumbered. There was no way I could fight three Nocturns on my own.

The hooded figure lashed out again, black magic whipping from a black ring.

Just remember, he said, for it was definitely a male voice, the demons are coming.

Lets go, he said to the other two figures. I stayed on the ground long after the three of them had disappeared into the inky night.

So the Nocturns had come to Public itself, and no one felt like doing much about it. I rolled onto my side and slowly pushed myself to my feet. I could see puffs of my breath in the air in front of me as I trudged back to Astra, watching over my shoulder the whole way.

Before I left for Tactical the next day I went in search of Sigil to get his help with something I had been thinking about. The ghost was playing a game, tossing books into the air and seeing if he could get them to land perfectly on top of each other.

I looked at him askance. I thought you liked books, I said skeptically. Throwing them cant be doing them any good.

Im only doing it with books I dont like, said Sigil, quickly das.h.i.+ng his gla.s.ses up his nose before they fell off.

Oh, silly me, I said.

What can I help you with? Sigil asked. More about your family?

We dont know if theyre my family, I said quickly. Theres no proof.

Probably all for the best, said Sigil. I would find suddenly becoming a princess stressful.

I didnt even touch that one.

Sigil, I said, you used to be a professor of advanced pyrotechnics, right?

Sigil nodded. Oh yes. I rather like fire. So warm and alive and vibrant. All the pretty colors. Oh!, he cried suddenly, as an idea came to him. I could use fire on some of these books. I wouldnt have to look at them anymore.

He started to examine the pages of the book he held in his hands: The History of Gutter-Gobbers.

You dont like gutter-gobbers? I asked.

Oh, I like them well enough, useful creatures. Its the author of this particular work that gets my goat. I burn everything of his I can find. He dated my sister, but she said all he did was talk about himself.

Oh, I see, I said. Your sister was lucky to have a brother like you.

Yes, rather, said Sigil.

But really, I said. You know a lot about a fire.

Yes, he said. I suppose I do.

Can you teach me? I asked quietly.

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