Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 575(@200wpm)___ 460(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
“Tell me everything,” she urged. “What’s new with my sweet baby girl?”
No way I would burden her with the details. “Here’s a late, breaking headline. I need to get my eyes checked. Everyone but you is blurry,” I said, waving to the other occupants now settling in front of the majestic tree.
“That’s for everyone’s safety.” Mom chuckled. “Trust must be given to erase the shields.”
Um, I’d become a Soalian four days before her, yet she knew more than me.
“So you’re good?” she asked, clasping my shoulders and giving me a motherly once-over.
“I really am. And you?”
Another huge smile broke out. “Better than ever. Oh! There’s my friend, Beeeep,” my mother cried with all the happiness of a schoolgirl. “You’re gonna love her. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
“Did you say . . . Beeeep?” I asked, but she’d already rushed off.
I hung back, wanting to laugh and cry, and needing a moment to collect myself. Mom was here, and she was well, and she had a friend she trusted enough to share identities with. It was everything I’d hoped for her, and my heart overflowed.
“This is usually the moment I experience a new deluge of doom,” I confided in Domino as he returned to my side. And I should have. The thing with Cyrus . . . But no. My delight remained. A miracle had occurred with my mother. A miracle could occur with the high prince too. Whatever was needed.
The librarian might have smiled, but the microamusement vanished so quickly, I convinced myself he’d experienced an involuntary muscle twitch. “There isn’t room for doom right now. You’re too happy.” Domino faced me, as if to bid me goodbye, but seconds passed, and he remained rooted. “What is it you so greatly admire about Cyrus?”
“Many things.” Remembering the feud Cyrus had mentioned, I asked, “What is it you so greatly dislike about him?”
“I don’t dislike him,” the librarian said, frowning. “Why would you think so?”
“Well . . .” What did these two formidable men not wish to discuss? They’d both denied animosity while projecting a boatload of it. “For starters, I’ve met you both.”
His frown deepened, but he motioned to the other students with a tilt of his chin. “Go. Learn. The faster you do, the safer you’ll be. The world as you know it is soon to change.”
“More cryptic words. Great.” There’d been so many already. “Quick question first. Is my mom’s friend really named Beeeep?”
For the second time, I was pretty sure he almost smiled. “Just as you see blurry faces, you will hear a sound rather than names, unless told by the person in question. Another security measure.”
Ah. Made sense. Mostly.
“Hey, new girl. Your instructor is here, and we’re about to start. Join us.”
The familiar voice drew my gaze, and I snorted. Ember herself stood at the tree, ready to begin. Like Domino, she wore a crimson robe made of the finest fabric trimmed in gold.
“Thank you,” I told Dom, reaching out to clasp and squeeze his hand. “For everything.”
Manner suddenly as sharp as ice, he slid his eyes to our joined hands, silent and still. Oops. I’d made an obvious blunder. Touched an elite without permission.
“Apologies,” I muttered, severing contact and turning sharply. I forced the librarian from my thoughts and bounded over to stand beside my mother.
Leaning into me, she said, “Baby, this is Beeeep.” She motioned to the woman on her left. “Beeeep, this is Arden.”
“Hello,” we both said. Beeeep’s face remained blurry, and I believed mine remained blurred to her. What sound did she hear in place of my name?
“Nice to meet you,” she said, and I thought I heard kindness in her voice.
“You as well.”
Ember clapped, gaining everyone’s attention. “Before anyone decides to rush me, I’m happy to report this garden is time adjacent. We can stay here for years and return to our lives without missing more than a few minutes. Now zip it. Everything I’m about to tell you comes from The Book of Soal.” Reverence dripped from her tone. She anchored her arms behind her back, saying, “Sometimes, words must be lived to be seen. Follow me, please.” One step forward. That was all she took, and a cobblestone path appeared out of nowhere.
With Ember at the helm, we walked the path, single file, the air around us shimmering with images. A fantastical world of unimaginable wealth and opulence, with castles made of crystals, gardens teeming with life and color, and roads paved with gold bricks. Trees abounded, birds with glimmering feathers flying from branch to branch. I gasped with delight. Look there! Bees and butterflies!
“This is the Theirland of yesteryear,” Ember announced. “A land Astan the Destroyer would come to infect with his Madness. Perhaps you noticed the statue of him in Bala City. He’s preparing the masses for his next grand entrance. The beginning of the end.”