Page 84 of Of Shadow and Moon

Nasarea points to the next page, but it’s been torn out,the jagged edges of the paper mocking us. “Of course,” she mutters, frustration creeping into her tone. “Whoever found this before us didn’t want anyone else knowing the rest.”

My fingers tighten on the book, my knuckles turning white. “Why would your father know about this library? Why would he?—”

She flinches at the mention of her father; her gaze hardening. “I don’t know. He’s never talked about anything like this to me. Only that it’s dangerous to dig too deeply into the past.”

“Maybe because he has something to hide,” I say, the words falling before I can stop them.

Her eyes narrow, and her jaw tightens so hard I can almost hear her teeth grind. “Of course, he has something to hide, Selestina. My father hasplentyto hide. But don’t think for a second that he’s the only one. This place, this prophecy, it’s all wrapped up in so much bullshit, it’s a miracle we’ve even gotten this far. And we need to figure it out fast, or we’re both screwed.”

Her words hit harder than I want to admit. I swallow the retort sitting on my tongue and nod, forcing myself to focus on the bigger picture. She’s not wrong.

This library, this prophecy—it’s not just a random discovery. It’s a thread in a web of secrets older than both of us, secrets that seem to grow darker and more tangled the closer we get. And now, whether we like it or not, we’re caught in it.

There’s no way out now. For better or worse, we’ve crossed a line, and there’s no turning back.

Chapter 48

Selestina

Isit on my bed, the pages of the prophecy spread out before me like pieces of a puzzle I cannot seem to solve. My fingers trace the faded lines of text in search of meaning from the cryptic words. Nasarea told me not to take the book back, to leave it in its home, but I know it holds the answers. It has to.

Nasarea is downstairs in the academy library, not the forbidden one, rummaging through whatever books she can find to hopefully shed some light on it. We are drowning in questions. I told her I’ve read any book the library has on the subject, but Nasarea just scoffed and said I didn’t try hard enough.

Then the air shifts. Shadows ripple in the corner, gathering and twisting until they take shape.

Diego.

I look him in the eyes, already bracing myself. He steps forward, the grace of his movements fluidly predatory, the shadows clinging to him like a second skin. His face is impassive, with no trace of warmth or humor.

“Selestina,” he says shortly. “I have a mission for you from Alexander. It's urgent.”

I lean back, crossing my arms. “What does he want this time?” There is a growl in my tone, and it's intentional. My frustration bubbles just below the surface. I would never dare to speak to Alexander like this, but Diego allows me to show a little bit of my discontent.

Diego doesn't flinch. Doesn't react at all. He's a stone, unyielding. “Kill Prince Nazriel. Tonight.”

The words land like a slap. All I can do for a moment is stare at him, the meaning sinking in like poison. “What?” I sputter, shooting to my feet. “I can't kill a royal! That's treason,” I snap, my voice sharp and barely controlled.

Diego rolls his eyes in a gesture so casual it makes my blood boil. “I don't have time for your theatrics, Selestina. Either do it, or face the consequences.” His tone is final, as if he has already dismissed me.

“Diego, wait—” I start, but he's already fading back into the shadows, his form dissolving into the darkness like he was never here.

It was just a little too quiet, too still after he'd left. My heart racing with anger, I fell back against the bed, my head spinning.

Kill Prince Nazriel.

But this time it's different. Not a faceless target, not some corrupt official hiding behind his mask of power?this was Nazriel.

Nazriel.

I pace the length of my dorm, the cool floor beneath my bare feet, wrestling with what to do. Refuse Alexander, and it's a blade in my back. Follow through, and… well, that's assuming I can follow through. Nazriel's blood on my hands?the thought alone churns my stomach, a sensation I am not used to.

Panic rises, washes over me like a wave. I feel like I'm smothering. The walls are closer than they should be, the air too thick; my thoughts, gods, my thoughts everywhere.

Nazriel.

Alexander.

Nasarea.

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