Page 31 of Spellbound
“Midas.”
I eyed him, one eyebrow raised. “How would you know about that?”
The corner of his eye wrinkled. “I read it.”
“In the last few days?”
“Maddox gave me some materials to go through.”
“Oh, right.” I was getting way too paranoid. “Sorry, um, well then you know. This book, while holding it, will give the same curse, until you put it down at least. The challenge is to be able to hold the book without turning anything to gold. Do not let the curse leave your fingers. You’ll become the bridge that stops it from touching another object.”
“I’ll give it a go.”
“Mmhmm. I’m going to get the box and put this ring back.” My heart still hadn’t slowed from the racing I’d awoken to. “You go ahead.” I gestured toward the book, which was relatively harmless—to us anyway. “Don’t touch any of the dark objects though. Only the stack of cards next to the herbs and the glass bottles. They can be touched to practice.”
Leaning down, I hovered my hand over the ring. If I couldn’t fight it anymore, then I had grown weaker than I comprehended. Magic pulsated as I cautiously touched it. Unlike before, it didn’t snake into me or try to latch with might. Instead, as it had done when I’d mastered it years ago, it bent to my will. I placed it back in the box and closed the lid. I’d tell Edmund we passed the test. I couldn’t put Viktor through the pain again, even if it meant he wouldn’t progress faster. I knew Edmund. He’d force Viktor to keep going no matter the pain, like he had me, but I couldn’t do it.
I turned after putting the ring back in one of the safes on the wall, which locked the grade two dark objects, whereas the shelves held the grade ones. The grades evaluated their danger levels, and I shuddered, thinking about the grade ten objects locked away in the vaults below the basement. I hoped I had the courage and strength to handle them once I became keeper. If I became keeper.
I turned and looked at Viktor. He held the book in one hand. Several of the cards had turned to gold, as expected, but that was it. He touched everything around him without anything else changing. He’d done it, again. I forced a smile, but the truth slid like lead into my stomach. Maybe he really did stand a chance. If I didn’t put my name forward this year anyway, he really would. “How’s the studying of Lor coming along?” I asked.
“Great, Maddox has been teaching me. I’ve learned the grammar and basic phonics.”
I chewed my bottom lip.Fuck.I really couldn’t wait another year. I had to put my name forward at the call, which meant potentially failing—probably failing.
“You’ve done good today. Take the rest of the day off.” I needed to study if I stood half a chance. The stack of books finally beckoned me.
“I want to continue, but I guess I can take a break. I just wish I could leave here.” His eyes narrowed. “Get out of these grounds for a while.”
I pressed my lips into a tight line. I really needed to get ahead. Sighing, I relented. “I won’t tell you how to get into the woods, because it’s dangerous, but if you want to go into town or find another place to train, then I can help you sneak out.” Maddox wasn’t letting anyone leave until the threat had been eliminated. “Just please don’t go into the woods.”
“I won’t. I swear.”
CHAPTER NINE
Icouldn’t make itthrough one of the oversized books on our history before I fell asleep at the desk in the smaller study. It was at the back of the house, in a room big enough to fit a desk, chair, bookshelf, and houseplant. How was anyone expected to focus when the writing was so dry? I could feel my brain cells slowly dying as I forced myself to internalize fact after fact, date after date. Rubbing my temples, I sighed. Benji had jumped onto the window ledge after squeezing through the gap between the door and wall. I looked at him, tilting my head.
