Page 86 of Shrine of Fire

We drank water from flasks, and someone was always shoving food into my face. More fried cheese balls, pieces of dried fish, fried plantain chips…even Maruis handed me some sweet and sticky rice paste that was sweetened with goat’s milk.

I didn’t really feel hungry, but I also couldn’t stop eating.

“The library keepers are looking forward to our arrival,” Duke Antu said. “It’s been a while—too long, really—since I have made the journey to the Library of Souls.”

“When you’re running one of the largest port cities in the whole world, you tend to get busy.” Hashir handed me more plantain chips.

“Yes, but this is an important part of our cultural heritage. The Library is home to the oldest artifacts in the world, and precious few Spirit Oases exist in our world, although perhaps that will change soon.” Duke Antu looked at me. He was handsome enough, with warm eyes and slight wrinkles around his eyes. But he seemed more like a potential ally than lover. “Do you anticipate more spirit oases opening up with the increase in spirit magic?”

“We think so.” I avoided looking at Cuan. “Shaman and omegas with spirit magic will also be born, perhaps closer to the oases.”

“Our people have an ancient tradition of producing spirit walkers,” Duke Antu said with pride in his voice.

“We should begin searching for them,” Maruis said. “Before the spirits take advantage.”

“Good point.” Hashir was grim. “We will set up some contacts with the Omega Sanctuary for you before we leave, to give you support and guidance.”

I flinched at the admission that we weren’t planning on bringing the Duke with us, but neither man caught it.

The rest of the afternoon was spent trekking through the jungle. There was no path, that I could see, but Duke Antu and Maruis lead us unerring through the underbrush.

Just when I was starting to wonder if we were going to be spending the night in the jungle, we walked through the last of a thick crop of trees and came to a large opening.

I gasped, the sight taking my breath away. Brilliant green fields stretched in front of us, and a small, square building seemed to hunch at the base of a massive mountain.

It was a wonderful trick of the eye that the jungle was so dense we couldn’t see the mountain until we had emerged from under the canopy.

Duke Antu flourished his hands, smiling a real smile for the first time. “Welcome to the Library of Souls.”

The library looked more like a temple. Reddish gold stone stacked into a pyramid shape stretched up into the sky. The back half of the library seemed to be flush against the mountain, and I wondered how far into the mountain it went.

A small path led us to the double stone doors of the library. The Duke knocked once, and waited. A pleasant breeze cooled the sweat on my face, and I leaned against Stefan. My head hurt, and my feet were sore. I thought I was in shape, but apparently no match for a trek through the jungle.

The door opened, and a male omega dressed in beige pants and a loose white shirt opened the door.

His scent was heavy enough even I could smell it, something tropical and sweet.

“Duke Antu, welcome.” He glanced at Maruis, and then his gaze snapped to Hashir.

Instant jealousy rose. I stepped in front of Hashir, putting my arm around his waist. It was all I could do not to growl.

My rational mind was telling me to calm down, but my instincts didn’t give a crap about proper etiquette.

“Vicente, I hope we might visit the Library of Souls?” Duke Antu introduced us.

Vicente’s cheeks flushed. “We would be honored. Please come in.”

We walked into a large open foyer. It was beautifully inlaid with a mosaic pattern of small white, red, and gold tiles.

Cuan stared at Vicente and exchanged glances with Aki.

Something must be wrong with the male omega, I told myself. That would be the only reason why Cuan and Aki were paying so much attention to Vicente.

He was handsome enough, with golden skin and black hair that he wore quite short. Although he was slender, he had broad shoulders which I noticed as he gestured around the foyer. “We have ten attendants for this cycle of the moon.”

“Good,” Duke Antu said. “I’m pleased we haven’t intruded.”

“Of course not.” Vicente stole a glance Stefan and then looked away.

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