Page 178 of Heir of Broken Souls

A fiery red and black shadow swirls into existence behind him. He doesn’t so much as flinch as Harlow steps through it, cocking a hip. “You summoned me?” The cocky gait drops as her eyes land on the book. “Gods, whatisthat?”

Knox’s eyes never leave mine. “I suspect this is the book that holds the key to all of our answers.”

Elysia grimaces. “Well, I don’t want to touch it.”

“I think Delilah is the one who needs to. After all, she was the one who received the prophecy in full.”

“And it seems I’m the only one it’s calling forward,” I add hesitantly.

Knox nods. “And that.”

“You don’t seem hesitant about the dark magic.”

It’s the only thing that can make a Fae act the way he and his court are. The question remains, though, as to why dark magic isn’t affecting me this time.

He shrugs. “I’m curious more than anything, and hungry for answers.”

With those words, I take a steadying breath and face the black leather book sitting propped up in the middle of the shelf. When I lift my hand, I’m surprised to find it quivering.

This is the moment we have put everything on the line for. These are the answers we need. And the answers I dread to find.

The moment my fingers graze the leather book, electricity snaps down my hand, making me flinch, and yet at the same time my magic rises. Trepidation lifts along with it, the current of magic buzzing with excitement for…revenge.

How strange.

It’s an odd heady feeling, strong enough to make my fingers remain on the book as if my magic is urging me forward. Taking it off the shelf, I’m surprised at how heavy it is, and it nearly slips through my hands.

“Perhaps lay it down,” Knox offers.

I gently place it on the shiny tiled floor, thethunkof it hitting reverberating through the room.

Axel clears his throat when all I do is stare at it. “Are you going to open it?”

I can’t help but grimace. There’s a reason my magic is so excited for this and yet terrified. Taking a stuttering breath, I will my heart to settle, the bees buzzing in my chest to land and for my hands to stop shaking.

How many more revelations can I handle? Will my life be turned upside down again?

Knox lays his palm on the small of my back. “We’re here, every step of the way. Just breathe.”

Nodding, I do as he says and take another deep inhale of air.

Whatever we find, I’ll be here for you.

Letting his words soothe the ache in my heart, I kneel, my fingers gently touching the book. This time, I’m prepared for the current of electricity that hums through my hand. In one fell swoop, I fling it open, and then fall back with a startled gasp. “W-what is that?”

Knox falls to his knees, his eyes wide. “I’ll be damned.”

But he’s looking at it in awe, not fear. I relax slightly. I lay a hand on my pounding chest, trying to calm my erratic heart.

“I’ve never seen such magic,” Elysia breathes.

“Gods, it would have to be…” Harlow tapers off. “How long ago was this magic banned?”

“Banned?”

Knox finally pulls his gaze away from the book to explain, “It’s a memory.” His right hand lifts, as if to reach out and touch it, but he yanks it back, thinking better of it. “It’s a form of mind reading and manipulation. It was banned millennia ago.”

My eyes widen at that, at the blue ball of iridescent, water-like power swirling above the page I opened the book on.