“This is it.” Eric’s voice echoed loudly pulling my attention from the books I’d shuffled about, trying not to read. Eric held an unraveled scroll as his eyes darted over it quickly drinking in the text.

Scalding droplets dotted my arm drawing my attention from the hedges lining the edge of the cafe when Ivory abruptly raised her spoon from her cup to point with. “There. There. He’s at it again.”

The stool was uncomfortable beneath Zerra sat while Ibven wrote a long letter. The quill scratched over the parchment leisurely oblivious to her increasing disconcertment. At last he stopped and replaced the quill on the desk.

I slammed the cabinet door closed and jumped backward, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart thumped against my palm, reassuring me I was still alive. If only sanity were as easily assessed. I’d definitely spent too much time listening to gramps tales over the holidays and was seeing things.

Being the Ageless to the Astardodda Ethereal Throne was not without perks. Unlike the other Ageless, Wicorin wasn’t doomed to endless wandering seeking bits of lore or relics. Forever drifting in search of knowledge.

Silimas ground his teeth trying to push the high thrum out of his mind as he raced between the crystals arrayed around the room. “The memory we used to share is no longer coherent.” The words reverberated through the room, broken and distorted, escalating the thrum to a wail.

Not two steps into Aari’s and I’m faced with books. Bookshelves she’s said to have ensorcelled to keep curious mortals out. While walking through the shelves one may catch glimpses of the sorceress at her workshop center, invariably the curious souls ends up back at the door. I, however, swear she ensorcelled it to only show the dullest books written.

Too a few, those blessed with power, Mililath Tower blazed in the heart of the night, consumed by a magical storm raging within. However, even those a child’s stone throw away slumbered in blissful ignorance through the layer upon layer of wards sealing structure. Kellsie didn’t share either the grace or the power and stood at the storm’s heart.

I jerked when the hand rested on my shoulder. I swung my head to the side, peering at Ebony. Her brows were drawn down, forming a slight crease in her forehead. How long had I been ignoring her? Worse. I had no idea what she had asked.

The sunset made the sky a bloody mess as I stood on the battlements. I waited alone, but for what I couldn’t guess. Red had stained my death and trapped my sight still.