Page 60 of Hex
Sage
Before I died, the last time, I was very aware of the fact that I didn’t belong in this world. The Shade, in particular. Now, though, it’s as though I don’t exist. Or, at least, the other kyn don’t care that I do.
Walking through the portal into the train station type space still feels kinda odd, like a prickle across my skin, but it doesn’t have the same impact as it once did. I’m not all starry-eyed and full of wonder, more suspicious and taking everything in for very different reasons.
“These handcuffs are fucking brilliant. Can I get a pair for myself?” Slash tugs on the chain connecting the cuffs on Baba Yaga’s wrists, the same ones Hekate used to bind me in my sleep—although they weren’t linked at the time.
“If you want to be the one to let Hekate know I stole them before we left, then yeah. Otherwise, I probably have to return them at some point.” I side-eye him, kicking myself for giving him the option, because this is Slash.
“She’s practically my in-law now. Sure she won’t mind.” Wagging his brows, he charges forward through the throng of kyn trying to get to their destinations.
“Would you be mad if I killed my brother for being a dick?” Hack grumbles beside me, no longer in need of help to stand or walk. Thankfully, his demon strength has kicked in and he’s all healed up from the life sucking Baba Yaga did.
She looks a little fresher than she did when I first saw her in that cave, her cane long forgotten, but her wild hair and crazy eyes are still exactly the same, if not worse.
“How about you just maim him a little?” I blink up at Hack and smile sweetly.
“Just one more reason why we were made for each other, Satapti.” He chuckles and we continue walking toward the tall doors of the Great Library.
I didn’t get to go inside last time we came here, but this time…I won’t lie to myself; I’m a little excited.
Slash has pushed the doors open and is waiting for us to follow through as Baba tries to fight against her restraints beside him. There are thick vines wrapped around her mouth—because she wouldn’t shut the fuck up—and the golden cuffs are suppressing her magic, meaning this is all a lot easier than I thought it would be.
I don’t know if I’m happy about that or not. There hasn’t been much opportunity to dissect my feelings on all the new information being thrown at me and a large part of me is pissed. Like, mega pissed.
The gasp that escapes my throat as we walk inside is involuntary, but I’d do it again because wow. This place is spectacular. The concept reminds me of Doctor Who’s Tardis; bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.
Kyn of all shapes and sizes are gliding around wearing long, dark-brown robes, hoods pulled up and everything, like somemagical…okay, it is magical…but fuck me, there’s so much to take in. I would go as far to say it’s more otherworldly than the actual other worlds I’ve seen so far.
Faloria, yeah, there are huge pink flower things that absolutely do not exist on Earth. Lympana, well, that place was pretty damn magical too, with all the glass and gold flying people—kyn.
This library, though, is straight out of a book lover’s wet dream, with moving ladders, winding stairs, and a squillion levels up and down. Minus the books, though, which is a damn shame because I would live here if it was filled with stories instead of glowing orbs.
“Liege Slash, Liege Hack, are you depositing a soul?” The kyn with deep-set black eyes and three tails poking out of the back of his robe steeples his fingers together and tilts his hooded head, completely ignoring me and Baba Yaga.
“Yes. This one has a special request.” Hack hands over the ball of Trina’s soul and my breath hitches.
“Wait.” Reaching out, I grab it and hold it close, a single tear dripping onto the glass-like finish. “I know I said it before, but thank you. For just…” I pause and take a breath, looking to Hack. “Can she hear me?”
“Yes.” His eyes are soft and he gives me a light smile, not pushing me to hurry with my goodbye, but I can see the robed kyn sighing deeply in frustration out of the corner of my eye.
Hack must notice too because he turns to the kyn and glares at him. No words needed.
“Okay. This is weird, but I think it’s kinda helping. I don’t think I would want to let you go if you were here for real.” Hugging the ball tight to my chest, I close my eyes and picture Trina in my mind’s eye. “Thank you for taking a chance on us, you sweet, sweet woman. I will never forget everything you did for us, for me.” Bringing the ball to my lips, I place a soft kiss against the cold surface. “I love you, Trina.” I thrust the ball backtoward Hack because if I keep hold of it for much longer, I’m going to run away with her and never bring her back.
With great care, he takes it from me, understanding how precious this woman’s soul is, clear in his actions. Like a game of pass-the-parcel, he hands it to the robed kyn, who takes it with a small nod of his head.
“Please, fill in these forms, and the special request will be honored.” As if from nowhere, the kyn wafts several pieces of paper at Hack.
“Is he being serious? There’s paperwork?” I whisper this to Hack because I don’t know if this is the normal protocol or not and I don’t want to come across as rude and get us kicked out or something.
He chuckles. “Not usually, but this isn’t the usual kind of soul, Satapti. She’s a special one, so she deserves the extra attention.” Taking the forms, he leans against the beautifully crafted desk beside us, picking up the real-life quill, and begins to write.
It takes less than thirty seconds, which I’m not sad about, before he’s handing the papers back to the robed kyn.
“Thank you, Liege Hack. Good day.” Bowing his head, the robed kyn swiftly turns on his heel and places the soul orb on a plinth-type thing before it disappears. And without another word to us, he wanders off to do whatever it is these kyn do here.
“Where did she go?”
