Page 132 of Revenge of the Forgotten

“What?” Vega asked, nodding at her.

“It’s just curious. Why wouldn’t they show up when they’ve been jumping at every opportunity to squander this rebellion since the beginning?”

“Because she’s planning something bigger,” Vega answered, her brow raised as if it were obvious.

She left Khort and Arlet to banter back and forth, something more important weighing on her mind. Vega wandered off towards a small group of Schoenus locals tending to their horses. A petite elderly woman with a curved back and kind eyes smiled at her, chattering to her horse. It whinnied, attention flickering to Vega as she approached.

“What did she say?” Vega asked, reaching out to stroke the horse’s soft muzzle. The mare pressed her nose into Vega’s hand in a sweet hello.

The woman brushed the horse, its white hair full with a winter coat. “She asked if you were the one with the lightning.” Her voice quivered with old age.

Some of Solum’s people bonded with animals, allowing them to speak to the creature who chose them—and it was the animal who chose the bond, not the other way around.

Vega nodded with a smile as the horse nickered. “Yes, that’s me. Sorry if I startled you.”

The little old woman laughed a happy sound, patting the mare on the back after she put the brush away in her basket. “She’s okay. Pip has been through worse.”

Vega’s heart ached. Bonded animals lived as long as their person did, which meant Pip had to be hundreds of years old.

“She and I want to thank you for coming to our aid. It’s been ugly around here with the soldiers using our town as a base. They take what they want without respect to those who live here.” The woman shuffled her feet, slowly standing beside Vega, where she continued stroking Pip’s head. “I’m Belva.”

“Belva, it’s nice to meet you. Vega.” She held out her hand. The woman’s grip was surprisingly strong for how fragile she seemed.

Belva’s smile revealed she knew who Vega was, but she didn’t say it… and for that, Vega was grateful. “Wonderful to meet you.”

Vega peered over her shoulder, not seeing Khort and Arlet where she’d left them.

Perfect.

“Is there a horse I might be able to borrow for an hour or so? It’s been too long since I’ve gotten a little alone time, and after this morning, I could really use some quiet to read.” Vega let her hand drop away from Pip and fall to her side.

Belva eyed Vega, nodding to a stable at the end of the road. “Come with us. We’ll get you set up with someone.”

Much to Vega’s surprise, a horse was already saddled and ready to ride. She’d snuck out of the back stables without notice from Khort and Arlet, a small satchel of books strung along the saddle.

Schoenus was only twenty minutes from Littera and the Minerva Archives, where she was hoping she could find Colette.

She was Vega’s last hope—the last option she might have to convince someone to give her absurd idea a chance.

Vega pulled the cloak’s hood up as she approached the city’s main road to hide from prying eyes. She suddenly felt thankful for the snow falling in fat flakes around her now at a higher altitude. Everyone who passed was bundled up, their heads down as they shuffled to wherever they were headed.

She tied the stallion to a tree, giving herself an exit into the forest if needed. Vega felt the prickle of eyes on her, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. She pivoted in the fresh snow, scanning the area around her.

No one was paying her any mind, but the tingle remained.

Vega reached into her jacket pocket. She gave the horse a sugar cube and a pat on his muscular neck before she snuck into the library's side entrance.

Vega felt the strain on her powers as the door closed behind her, unsettling her. She had spent too much time without the steady thrum of electricity and the whirl of her storms. Vega didn’t want to be powerless for even a second. Her hands slid to her sides, confirming her daggers were in their places.

The feeling of being watched had yet to leave her.

She would know if it were one of the bonded.

Vega trailed her eyes across the main room, the light from the glass ceiling above dimmed by a layer of snow. There was no one behind her and no one but the students bustling through the aisles in their white robes.

Vega turned a corner, hurrying down the hall towards Colette’s wing.

What if she wasn’t here? What was her plan then?

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