Seth snorts, while Pax and Killian both fold their arms over their chests with we-are-not-impressed looks on their faces.
Roarke’s holding a book – my book. Or at least the book I claimed from his shelves back at the White Castle.
I wriggle my fingers toward it.
“Knowing the number of steps doesn’t change anything,” I say, trying to end one conversation and quickly start another. “Can you read me the verse – the one next to the Origin Spring?”
He flicks the book open to the page his thumb was keeping marked, so he was reading that page too. Which is interesting.
“What looks like stone is living root. What looks like water is living blood. What looks like down can be up. What looks like death can be life. Here grows the one thing that can power them all. When this life ceases to flow, all life will go.” Roarke’s finger traces the page as he reads.
“And tell me why I’m not out there looking for this thing too?” I ask.
“Because we’re out there with the other triunes, and we don’t want them to get a whiff of your bubble,” Roarke says. “And because you’re lucky Pax’s even letting you out of his sight with Sabers being attacked.”
Thane offers a growls of agreement, and there’s no arguing that one, but I try anyway, “I’d really like to help.”
“There are ten capable Sabers out there now, sweeping the woods and looking for the stream. We’ll find it,” Seth says.
Roarke doesn’t add anything, just turns on his heels and starts back up the stairs.
“I’m going back to work,” he says when he’s almost at the top.
“Stay,” Pax orders pointing at me, then points at Seth with a potion in his hand and adds, “Come,” and waves toward the door, then he disappears outside.
Seth winks at me before obeying Pax’s order.
I have my nose in a book, Kitten’s book, with the Page Wiping Potion nearby to make alterations and a pen to make notes, when Seth lets himself into the attic. He goes straight through the workspace to the window seat and makes himself comfortable. He’s not a little guy, and he’s effectively cut off half the light in the room. I put my book down and flick the flint on one of the lanterns hanging from the wall.
“Location Potion didn’t work?” I ask.
“Nope.”
I refrain from saying ‘I told you so,’ but I’m certainly thinking it.
Pax makes himself comfortable too, upturning a crate in a quick motion that manages to contain the dried herbs inside, and then sitting on the thing.
“Okay,” I mutter, leaning back against the bench.
“Tell me the prophecy again,” Pax says, motioning with his fingers in a ‘give it to me’ kind of sign.
“Wait until your grief has passed, then – Seek the remnant beyond the border.
Speak to a man named Martin but believe the word of a bird.
Let your reflection go hazy in clear waters and see instead through a gray lens.
In Silvari glass is a blade that can pass, a soul that can kneel, and a world that can heal.
This is not a battle that can be won. Before this time can pass, the mortal soul from its beginnings cannot last. There is no way a soul can rule and live.
Because I heard what the Origin Spring said to the tallest forest tree – the key will be in the last of me,” The words tumble off my lips, no thought needed.
“In Silvari glass is a blade that can pass, a soul that can kneel, and a world that can heal. This is not a battle that can be won. Before this time can pass, the mortal soul from its beginnings cannot last. There is no way a soul can rule and live. I don’t understand – that means we all need to be dead. We can save the world, but we all have to die. That’s what it has always meant to me,” Pax says, repeating his lines in the prophecy under his breath.
“Why are we talking about this?” I ask.
“We went outside the barrier to get an update and had a slightly longer chat with Eliijah,” Seth says.
“Any sign of activity out there? I’m worried about an ambush,” I interrupt.
“They can set up an ambush all they want; we’re in here, and they are not. That’s if they even find us – which, since no one knows we’re here, would be impossible. Jada sealed a compass for loyal Elites only. This location is foolproof,” Pax practically snaps, trying to convince himself as much as me.
“Oh,” I say, drawing out the word to try and make him take a breath. “I hadn’t realized she kept the location secret. That does change things.”
“She’s an asset. I didn’t ask her to, didn’t even think of it, and I had no idea either, until she arrived,” Pax says.
“Which was when I was waking Kitten up,” I muse. Pax met Jada outside the barrier using a key to get her in, then Kitten attacked her with an apple.
“How did she get away with that? Every seal she uses is tracked and reported. If she’s caught using an unauthorized seal, she’ll be put in a cell, or worse,” I say.
“Apparently Lithael has taken to using them,” Pax says.
Seth’s quiet in the background, meaning this is news to him too.
“Using them for what?” I ask.
Pax shrugs one shoulder. “She doesn’t know, only that the locations are between the Straight and the Glass Makers District, or near enough to either of them to be related to the Straight or the glass makers in some way.”
I sigh, stretching my neck back then to each side in slow, relaxing
