Page 114 of Whispers of the Elderoak

Strange. Why would her father destroy books that could possibly help them defeat Deidamia? After thinking for a moment, she added, “The book at Grandpa’s farm…”

“What about it?” Thorne replied.

“I think it has instructions on how to create and open portals. And Deidamia has it.” She looked around at the table and caught Casimir narrowing his eyes at her.

“How do you know this? You informed us you couldn’t read it,” asked Thorne as he swirled the wine in his goblet.

She shook her head. “I don’t know for sure, but there were pictures in it. Of portals and archways and symbols. That has to be why Grandpa hid it. To keep it out of their hands.”

“And now they have it,” Casimir said pointedly at her.

“I know that,” Ava bit back, irritated with Casimir’s moodiness.

“Maybe there’s another copy,” said Jorrar. “It wouldn’t hurt to look.”

“We should send you back to get it,” said Casimir, still glaring at her from across the table. “Since you’re the one who gave it to them in the first place.”

Ava tensed, heart racing at the thought of getting anywhere close to that camp.

“No,” said Thorne. “Their camp is too dangerous to infiltrate right now. We must find another way.”

“What if there is no other way?” Casimir said, arms crossed as he glowered at her.

“Then we’ll figure something else out.” Thorne took a sip ofwine, then clenched his jaw, obviously frustrated at Casimir’s response. “Right now, entering that camp is off the table.”

Ava couldn’t take it anymore. The hot and cold. The glares across the table. She looked directly at Casimir. “What the fuck is your problem?”

The others tensed as he leaned forward. “You willingly showed the book to Andras. Now our ability to defeat our enemies is in their very hands.”

“I. Didn’t. Know,” she seethed.

“Here we go again,” Raine whispered from beside her.

“You’ve been giving us half-truths since the day we found you in the forest.”

Ava steadied herself, taking a deep breath. “I’ve already apologized. To all of you. What more do you want?” Her voice rose. “I’m here now. And I’m going to help.”

Thorne placed his hand on her arm. “That’s enough you two,” he said with irritation in his voice.

She huffed and crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair and looked at her brother.

Quinn whispered, “Well, she definitely has the Everwood temper.”

Thorne turned to her. “I donothave a temper.”

“It seems everyone here has a temper,” Ava mumbled, glancing at Casimir.

“I don’t,” Raine blurted and Quinn stifled a laugh.

“Alright, stop,” Jorrar intervened. “Arguing will get us nowhere. Ava will learn how to open and create portals… but first she must get her magic.”

Thorne nodded, appearing cool and collected once more, though his fingers drummed on the table. “Yes. She must begin preparations for the journey.”

“And how do you suggest she do that?” Raine asked. “Since we don’t even know what it entails.”

“We’ll need to dig into the archives and see if we can find any information about the Elderoak,” Thorne explained. “I’ll have the scribes in the library start looking while Ava begins her training.”

“Training?” Ava asked.

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