Page 59 of Shadowed Fate

We slip inside and the door closes behind us. I blink, adjusting to the new darkness. The air is thick with dust I swipe at my head as I feel cobwebs across my face. As my eyes adapt, I gasp.

Towering shelves stretch upwards, disappearing into shadows at the top. Books. Rolled up parchments. Strange objects that I couldn’t even begin to name. They crowd every surface. It’s overwhelming.

"This is... incredible," I breathe.

Eira nods, a small smile playing at her lips. "Welcome to Grimstone's archive.”

“How did you find out about this place?” I like this girl, but it’s a little weird that she knows how to find a supposedly secret and forbidden archive. I wish I’d asked the question a bit sooner.

“Owl shifters have an innate need to seek and consume knowledge. My sister went here a few years ago and she told me there were rumors about the archives’ existence, but she never found it herself.” Eira takes a deep breath. “But I made it my mission to start looking for it as soon as I got here. As far as I know, I’m the only one who knows how to get in, other than some of the staff. I think.” She nibbles on her lip.

Her story seems pretty plausible. Every time I see Eira, she has her nose stuck in a dry-looking textbook, and she's constantly asking questions. I hadn't realized it was an owl thing.

I run my fingers along the edge of a golden box, its top engraved with unusual writing. "Where do we even start?"

"That depends on what you're looking for," Eira says.

I hesitate, torn between excitement and fear. "I need to know more about the Raven King and shadow magic."

"Be careful, Brigid. Some knowledge comes at a price."

"I don't care," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "I'm tired of being in the dark.”

As we begin our search, I realize I’m shivering. I can't shake the feeling that whatever we find here could change everything.

We scan the shelves for an hour or so, and I’m starting to get a little frustrated that I haven’t found anything even remotely connected to The Morrigan, the Raven King or shadow magic.

I'm flipping through an ancient-looking grimoire when Eira frantically waves her hands at me, then puts a finger to her lips. I stop, confused. Then I hear the voices. They’re coming our way and getting louder.

“I thought you said no other student knows the way to this place?” I hiss.

Eira shakes her head, her eyes wide. “I didn’t think they did. Maybe it’s a professor?”

But those aren’t professors coming straight for us. I almost wished they were.

Lochan's voice cuts through the silence, sharp and angry.

"She's dangerous, Callen. You're letting your dick cloud your judgment."

I stand still, straining to hear more. Eira starts to walk toward me, and I raise my hand and shake my head. She freezes.

Callen's reply is quieter, but no less intense. "And you're letting your paranoia rule you. Brigid's innocent until proven guilty."

"Innocent?" Lochan scoffs. "She was in the dean's office, for fuck's sake. How do you explain that?"

My cheeks burn with a mixture of shame and indignation. I want to burst in there, to defend myself, but Eira's hand on my arm stops me.

"Maybe she was looking for answers," Callen says. "Can you blame her? We've all been keeping secrets."

"Secrets keep us safe," Lochan growls. "If she finds out about —"

"Then what?" Callen interrupts. "She deserves to know.”

My heart thuds so loudly I'm sure they can hear it.What are they keeping from me?

"She'll run," Lochan says, his voice dropping. "Or worse, she'll stay and destroy us all."

Anger flares within me, hot and sudden.How dare he?After everything I've been through, everything I've endured—

---