Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 105939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
The air itself seemed thick with accumulated knowledge, centuries of secrets pressed between pages and stored on shelves where casual browsing could drive lesser minds to madness.
“Something to drink?” Maestro moved to a sidebar where crystal decanters held liquids in colors that had no names—violet that pulsed like a living heart, gold that moved like mercury, black that seemed to absorb light while somehow remaining transparent. “I have vintages from dimensions where wine ferments in the dreams of gods.”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you? How fascinating.” The fae settled into a chair across from him, legs crossed with casual elegance that somehow managed to convey both relaxation and readiness for violence. “Because from where I sit, you appear to be a man whose legendary self-control is beginning to develop some rather interesting cracks.”
Bastien chose his own chair carefully, positioning himself where he could see both the library’s entrance and the tall windows that looked out over gardens that existed in several dimensions simultaneously. “You seem remarkably well-informed about my state of mind.”
“I make it my business to understand those who stumble across my work. Particularly when they begin asking questions that suggest familiarity with patterns that should have been forgotten long ago.” Maestro’s smile widened, revealing teeth that were perhaps slightly too sharp for human anatomy. “Tell me, what did you think of our young archivist? Such brilliance, such dedication to preserving the past. Such a lovely voice when she hums those unconscious little melodies.”
The direct reference to Delphine’s humming drew his lungs into a shallow hold, but he forced his expression to remain neutral. “She’s certainly knowledgeable about historical research methods.”
“Oh, she’s far more than that. Though I suppose you’ve already begun to suspect as much.” Maestro leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that somehow carried perfect clarity. “Three lifetimes of the same pattern, Mr. Durand. You find her, you fall in love, you fail to recognize what she truly represents, and circumstances conspire to separate you before you can grasp the larger picture.”
The casual revelation hit like physical blows. Maestro wasn’t just aware of his nature or his recent investigation. He knew about Charlotte, about Delia, about connections that spanned centuries and should have remained private between souls separated by death and reincarnation.
“You speak as if you were there,” Bastien said carefully.
“Oh, but I was. In various capacities, playing different roles as circumstances required.” The fae’s expression shifted, becoming something older and more calculating. “Charlotte Lacroix was a brilliant woman, you know. Curious about forces that proper young ladies of her era weren’t supposed to acknowledge. She came to me with the most fascinating questions about the nature of souls, about whether connections forged in life could survive the transition through death.”
Understanding crashed over Bastien. The mysterious consultant Charlotte had mentioned, the scholar who’d helped her develop theories about spiritual bonds. The figure who’d watched from the shadows while she explained her theories about love transcending mortality.
“You were her adviser.”
“Among other things. I helped her understand that what she wanted to achieve required more than simple magical technique. It required a fundamental restructuring of how souls interact with the cosmic forces that govern existence itself.” Maestro rose, moving to examine a book whose pages fluttered without wind. “What Charlotte sought wasn’t mere preservation of memory across lifetimes. She wanted evolution beyond the limitations that bind mortal consciousness.”
“The threadline reactivation,” Bastien said, pieces of the puzzle clicking into place with terrible clarity.
“Precisely. What you’re witnessing isn’t magical malfunction or random supernatural phenomenon. It’s the natural progression of a working that began over two centuries ago, designed to achieve results that required multiple lifetimes to complete.” The fae traced symbols in the air, leaving trails of golden light that spelled words in languages that predated human civilization. “Charlotte’s soul has been learning, adapting, growing stronger with each incarnation. Each death provided new understanding. Each rebirth offered opportunities to refine the process.”
“Delia represented the second phase.”
“The testing phase, you might say. Confirmation that the essential patterns could survive transition while accumulating the experiences necessary for final transformation.” Maestro turned back to face him, his expression carrying genuine admiration mixed with predatory satisfaction. “And now we have Delphine. The culmination of centuries of preparation. A soul that has absorbed the lessons of multiple lifetimes and is finally ready to achieve what Charlotte originally envisioned.”
Bastien stood abruptly, needing distance from the fae’s presence and the seductive horror of his revelations. The library felt smaller now, its walls pressing closer as impossible implications crashed through his understanding of everything he’d believed about love, loss, and the connections that bound souls across time.
“What exactly do you want from me?”
“Nothing you’re not already inclined to provide. Your protection, your guidance, your unwavering devotion.” Maestro’s smile carried infinite patience mixed with subtle threat. “But I thought you should understand what you’re protecting. Delphine isn’t simply Charlotte reincarnated with fragmentary memories. She’s Charlotte’s soul attempting to complete a transformation that will place her entirely outside the normal rules that govern mortal existence.”