Page 157 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Axel pushed to his feet, shutting the book. “I’ll be back,” he muttered, not really sure where he was going. He moved among the bookshelves, letting his fingers drift along spines.

The sound of footsteps had him pausing, waiting for a scholar to round the corner, but it wasn’t a scholar he came upon in the next row. It was a female with midnight hair that flowed down around her shoulders. It moved as if there were phantom winds stirring it, or maybe that was the…ashes? Her black pants and shirt were fitted with what appeared to be leather strapped atop them. Her head tilted with interest, and Axel felt like she was sizing up her prey. Swirling grey eyes met his, and he took a step back out of instinct. He was an Arius Legacy, but she was…something other. He could feel it in his bones.

“I’m, uh…just going to…” Axel backed away slowly. His shadows appeared like a thin fog, providing a barrier just in case.

The female smiled, but it was too sharp to be pleasant.

It was terrifying.

Without another word, Axel turned the corner, his heart beating way faster than it should. He was one of the most powerful Legacy in Devram. There was no reason he should have reacted like that.

Pausing, he turned and peered back around the stack of books, but she was gone. There was no trace of her. Only a set of ashy footprints on the ground.

Quickly making his way back to the table, Katya looked up as soon as he appeared. “What’s wrong?”

“Why would anything be wrong?” he asked, lowering back into the chair and pulling a book towards him.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “That’s why I asked the question.”

Theon snickered, and Axel glared at his brother, opening the book. “What am I looking for?”

Not looking up from her own book, Kat slid a piece of paper to him.

Tessa’s bloodline

Witches

Achaz

Temural, Arius, Serafina

Everlasting War

Weather/Storm Magic

The Augury

Revelation Decree

Source Marks

“You have an entire list?” Axel muttered, reading through the items.

“Anything could help,” Theon answered.

“It is simply to keep us organized,” Katya offered.

“Shouldn’t you have severing the Source bond on here then?” Axel asked.

“I don’t want the Source bond severed,” Theon said tightly. “Once I figure out her lineage, I can come up with a plan.”

“Right, and if you don’t figure it out in time?”

“Not an option,” Theon replied. “So be useful and start looking.”

“I mean, what aren’t you looking for at this point?”

“Axel, shut up,” Theon snapped.

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