Page 38 of Crown of Briars
“Where are you?” I murmured, inching backward, my eyes still roving over the expansive library. Surelysomeonemust be hiding nearby.
A faint, low growl sounded from afar, and a chill raced down my spine. The growl came again, and I frowned, recognizing it.
“Az?” I muttered, then quickly touched my amber necklace.
“Where the hell have you been?”Azure snapped.“I was about to burst in there and rescue you.”
I laughed because Azure only swore when she was truly in distress. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I got distracted. You can come in.”
I would have said,I’m alone, but I wasn’t sure if that was true.
The door across from the fireplace creaked open, and my dragon’s hulking blue form appeared. In the cathedral-sized library, she almost looked minuscule, and I happily noted how fitting this space would be for her, provided we could keep it hidden from the castle staff.
Azure’s blue eyes surveyed the spacious room with suspicion and distrust as she padded toward me, talons clicking along the stone floor. When she finally reached me, she inhaled deeply.
“It smells like the magic from before,”she said.“That same curious feeling.”
“The castle?” I asked, confused. “I thought that magic was only associated with the doors.”
“A castle consists of more than justdoors, human,”she said in a boredvoice.
I rolled my eyes. “I know that,dragon. But I thought themagiconly extended to the doors. Obviously, I was wrong.”
I gazed at the book in my left hand, trying to puzzle it out. “Castle,” I said slowly, feeling ridiculous, “if you can understand me, could you please send me a book about trolls?”
Azure snorted.“You are insane.”
I shushed her as that same rumbling sound overtook the room. I spun, my gaze flicking over the shelves as I realized thebookswere shaking. A hesitant smile spread across my face, and when the book fell from the ceiling, I was ready for it.
“Oof!” I grunted, catching the book in my arms. The force of it was so intense it knocked me on my rear, and I ended up dropping both books. Beside me, Azure wheezed with laughter.
“Shut up,” I muttered, stumbling to my feet and picking the books off the floor. The newest one had a forest green cover and was titled,Tilly the Troll Voyages Across the Realm. I flipped through the pages, noting the detailed illustrations. It looked to be a children’s tale.
My smile widened. “The castle controls the library. It hears my requests.”
Azure stilled beside me. When I shot her a triumphant grin, she only blinked at me warily.
My smile faded. “What?”
“Be careful, Sybelle. I worry this place can discern more than just thoughts that are voiced.”
The joy in my heart shriveled, dissolving into ash as I realized what she implied. Could the castle read my thoughts? And, if it couldn’t, what was stopping it from acquiring such a power? What if, the longer I was here, the more this place could creep into my mind?
My diamond dagger.
My plans to locate the enchanted rose.
The plot to destroy the king and his shadows.
Icy cold dread filled my chest, and I abruptly set the books down on the table between the wing-backed chairs. “We should go,” I whispered.
“Agreed,”said Azure, already heading for the door, which was still ajar. I followed, stepping over the threshold. I cast one more longing look over the library, wishing I could stay and unravel its secrets.
But that magic could go both ways. If I could explore this library, then it could explore me as well. Already, it could be reporting everything it had learned about me to the Wraith King.
Which meant he would know about Azure.
I hurried into the hallway, letting the door close behind me. Panting, I turned to Azure. “You need to leave,” I hissed. “Now.”
