Page 81 of Of Shadow and Moon

The hallways of the academy feel colder tonight, a kind of chill that seeps into your bones, no matter how many layers you wear. Nasarea walks beside me, her steps unusually quiet, her usual sharp tongue replaced by a contemplative silence. The only sound is the echo of our boots against the stone floor, a rhythm that feels almost too loud in the oppressive stillness.

“I heard something once.” Nasarea finally breaks the silence, her voice hushed as if the very walls have ears. “My father mentioned it. Just in passing, but…”

I glance at her, catching the unease in her expression. “What is it?”

She hesitates, biting her lip, before continuing. “A library. Not just any library.Theforbidden one, hidden somewhere in the academy. My father called it the heart of Tonalli’s secrets—the history of the gods, the truths they don’t want anyone to know. If there’s a place that could explain what happened to you… what you did today… it’s there.”

Her words settle over me like a lead weight. A forbiddenlibrary? It sounds like something out of a fairy tale, I feel the giddiness rise in me.

“Why would your father even mention it?” I ask, keeping my tone casual, though my mind is already racing. “Wouldn’t he want to keep something like that quiet?”

Nasarea shrugs, but there’s a sharpness to her movements. “He was arguing with someone. One of the kings, I think. It was years ago, but I remember the way he said it, like it was a threat. Like he was daring someone to challenge him.”

The pieces click together in my mind, each one sharper than the last. If this library exists, if it really holds the answers we need, then it’s worth the risk. “We need to find it,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

Nasarea nods, her resolve matching mine. “I thought you’d say that.”

The search feels endless,a test of patience that I don’t currently have. The academy much bigger than I originally thought. Towering arches and winding staircases lead to dead ends, hidden alcoves, and forgotten classrooms. Every step forward feels like two steps back, yet neither of us dares to give up.

Nasarea walks beside me, her expression tense but determined. She extends her hand, her fingers sparking with magic. The air around us shimmers subtly as her magic reaches out, probing the unseen layers of the academy for traces of any lingering power. Her blue eyes narrow in concentration, her lips moving in a whispered incantation as we push deeper into the unknown.

“It’s here,” she mutters, her voice low and certain. “I can feel it. There’s something old, something… alive.”

I glance at her, my pulse quickening. “You sure? Because it feels like we’re just wandering around like idiots.”

Nasarea shoots me a glare, her annoyance barely masked. “Have a little faith, Selestina. Magic isn’t a compass. It’s more… intuitive. It’s leading us.”

“Leading us where?” I mutter, but I don’t argue further. She’s the expert here, and frankly, I have no better idea.

The academy grows eerily quiet as we venture further, the hum of life fading into an oppressive stillness. The torches lining the walls burn low, their flames weak and quivering, as if struggling to hold on. The air grows colder, making every breath visible in the dim light.

“This place is giving me the creeps,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nasarea smirks, her hand still glowing with magic. “Good. Creepy usually means we’re on the right track.”

We pass through an archway that feels different from the others. The stone here is darker, the walls lined with faded tapestries depicting scenes I can’t quite make out. Nasarea pauses, her magic pulsing in her hand, her expression growing more intense.

“It’s stronger here,” she says, turning to face me. “We’re close. I can feel it.”

I nod, gripping the strap of my bag tighter as we press on. The corridors become narrow, the walls pressing in on either side. The shadows stretch long and dark. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched, though every time I glance back, there’s nothing there.

“Tell me again why we’re doing this,” I say, trying to keep my voice light.

“Because,” Nasarea replies, not bothering to look at me, “this library supposedly holds knowledge that’s been hidden for centuries. Forbidden magic. Secrets people don’t want us to find.”

“And you think we’re going to find it because your magic feels... vibes?”

She finally stops and glares at me. “It’s not ‘vibes,’ Selestina. It’s magic. It’s pulling us toward it. Or are you scared to find out what’s actually in there?”

I snort, shaking my head. “Scared? No. Tired of walking in circles? Definitely.”

Nasarea rolls her eyes and keeps moving, her magic lighting the way as we turn corner after corner. The further we go, the older the academy feels. The stones beneath our feet are uneven, worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. Dust lingers in the air, catching in the weak torchlight.

Finally, we reach a long hallway I’ve never seen before, charged with an energy that prickles against my skin. Nasarea slows, her magic glowing brighter as her fingers trace the walls.

“This is it,” she whispers, her breath visible in the icy air. “It's here. I can feel it.”

The stone around us is darker and smoother than anywhere else in the academy. At the far end of this corridor is a heavy door, unassuming, and made of dark wood, warped with age. An old broom leans against it. A weak attempt at trying to make it look unassuming and unimportant. There are no markings, or glyphs, to suggest what lies behind it. It is just a door.

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