Page 68 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

I try not to think about what that means for the worlds that used to be written there.

The Athenaeum, once a place of knowledge and sanctuary, is now a battlefield.

As much as it makes my heart ache, I force myself to see past the mark Constantine has left on this place—to the memory of what it was before. What it could be again. A protector and keeper of stories. A sanctuary. A beating heart where all the worlds collide and exist as one.

The Athenaeum is more than just a building. Or she was before Constantine invaded her and stole her spirit.

Maybe I can steal it back.

“We need to find the heart of the library,” I realize.

“Do you think that’s where he went?”

“I don’t know, but I have an idea.”

Aries frowns, and I know every part of him wants to rush toward the monster, but he nods, trusting me. “Okay, how do we find it?”

I wince. “I’m not sure. I only ever visited there in a vision the library showed me. But I know it’s the source of magic for this place. And if he hasn’t siphoned it all away, it might give me the boost I need to defeat him.”

But Aries doesn’t scoff at my answer. He squeezes my hand. “Can you re-create it from your vision? Use your magic to get us inside?”

I nod, swallowing the fear that rises in my throat. “I can try.”

Before I get that far, movement has us both whirling.

A blur of black cloak vanishes around the corner of the stacks. Books fly toward us, their pages ruffling as something emerges from inside them. A long, scaly body wraps around my wrist. Aries’ sword slashes against it, cutting the snake in two.

It falls to the ground at our feet, still writhing, its viscous blood burning holes in the books it touches. The scent is vile, clogging my nostrils as the blood runs along the floor at our feet.

“Poison,” I choke.

“Get back,” Aries says, pulling me to safety.

I thrust my magic out, and the blood and snake vanish as I re-create the book back to its original form. A pile of unmarked, unbound paper. Their edges flutter in the wake of the magic’s force.

I stare at it, stunned.

“No,” I breathe.

“What’s wrong?” Aries asks.

He looks left and right, no doubt searching for another threat.

But I’m the only threat standing here now.

Aries eventually glances at me, but I can’t answer him. The poison might be gone, but so is the story it came from. An entire world—wiped from existence. Because of me.

Nausea rolls through my stomach.

I swallow, trying not to be sick at the thought of what I’ve just done.

Constantine’s laugh echoes through the darkened halls, a low, sinister sound that sends a chill down my spine. “So brave, little mage,” he taunts, his voice seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. “You think you can defeat me? In my own domain?”

Aries looks over at me, his expression blazing with fury.

“Paige, the library’s core. Can you get us there?” he asks sharply.

“I think so.” My magic hums just beneath my skin, itching to be unleashed, but I’m afraid—afraid of what Constantine might do and afraid of what it might cost to stop him.

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