Page 78 of Within the Veil

The gods, usurpers of mortal destiny, have imprinted their meddling essence upon these sacred pages.

Yet, heed this ethereal caution,

for those who dare wield this esoteric knowledge devoid of profound comprehension shall surrender their very essence to the abyss.

The ancient verses inscribed in these mystic manuscripts beckon mortals to grasp at truths unfathomable.

Venture deep into the recesses of Dun Leabhar,

but be forewarned,

for the path to enlightenment is strewn with ethereal shadows, whispering the lament of forsaken souls."

Her voice is strained as if coming from a distance that transcends the realm. Not terrifying, exactly, but damn sure not the dulcet tones of a sweet lullaby either.

"What in the ever-loving...." I quickly jot down her measured words as she starts to repeat them.

Then as quickly as she became a fucking verbal portal to the underworld, she snaps back into reality with a frown marring her face.

"I can see why you are not in the habit of giving out your name," I say slowly, choosing comedy instead of running around in a frantic waddle which, let's be honest here, will be completely ineffective.

"Little one," she looks at me with concern. But one that says, 'You seem super calm after seeing me have a cosmic breakdown and giving you secret veiled words of guidance.' I shrug at the look because, in terms of the shit I've had to deal with, this is nothing. Besides, the message isn't a warning, exactly. Choose light instead of darkness, don't be tempted by forbidden knowledge, or you'll lose your soul--basic shit.

What is interesting is that, if I'm interpreting it all correctly, the desk clearly holds what we need to fuck Uranus right in his... well, you get it.

"I'm assuming that was what you mean by, 'when you need to know, you'll know?" I ask.

She laughs, "Usually, it's not so dramatic, but there you have it. I will take my leave...."

Before she melts back into the desk, I say, "You can call me Hudson. Thank you for your guidance and super creepy words."

She smiles brightly, "Thank you. I would say that I hope you return soon, but I have a feeling you'll be as permanent a fixture as I am. Especially when you find the Alcove of Desires."

She points to the left before shooting me a wink and disappears. "Alcove of Desires?" I mutter, and I quickly stand and leave behind the desk of magic and secrets, where all dreams come true, and turn to my left, where a few paces away, there is a vast, secluded alcove bathed in the warm golden glow of sunlight.

"Fuckkkk," I moan as I step into the slice of paradise. This miniature Heaven is dotted with small lamps and a few lap desks that are propped against the walls, which are adorned with paintings and handmade tapestries of the Fae and the Kingdoms. Delicate vines climb along the edges of the space with green and golden leaves that shimmer and move without the presence of the wind. The shelves on two sides are filled with various books of every genre, including romance and size.

"Elodia, you are a fucking goddess! Fucking jackpot," I fist pump the air as a small laugh floats around me.

I will spend hours in here, especially considering the huge plush, light green couch that is set up against a wall with built-in shelves that are strangely empty, begging to be filled. I run my hands along the fabric and shudder at how luxurious and sinful it feels underneath my fingertips. Pushing off my shoes, I crawl onto the couch and settle back against the cushions that suck me in. I grab the blanket and sigh.

"Fuck, now all I need is a good shifter romance book," I say and then jump as a soft whoosh has me looking behind me, and my jaw goes slack again. Because the shelves that were once empty are now filled to the brim with shifter romance books from different authors all over the world.

That's it. It's my time. I have to embrace the fact that life cannot get better, and I have found the culmination of all things joyful.

I grab a book by a familiar name, Letty Frame, and let the cushions eat me as I burrow into the couch. They will have to fucking pull me out of here over my cold dead body, and even then, I will come back to life and stab them in the eye with my decrepit bones.

* * *

Present Time

This place is a haven, despite, you know, the cryptic disembodies voices of warning. I also have to admit that I am using the massive space as an escape hatch of sorts, considering I have successfully avoided King for two days. The problem is, since I promised to keep my shields down, it is glaringly obvious.

I sigh as I resist the urge to bang my head on the pretty redwood table. We had decided that, realistically, the best course of action would be to take the battle to Nici. Not only would it minimize the number of deaths, as I would be able to use my connection to break the hold Nici has on the Seelie within her Realm, especially now that I figured out how I did it, to begin with, but it will be symbolic. Well, symbolic in a 'you brought the battle here, and I'll end it here' kind of way. Poetic.

The problem is that I've been trying to figure out a battle strategy using pieces that I had no idea where to place because, well, as of this morning, Nici has fucking disappeared. We couldn't locate her or her band of evil dark winged motherfuckers. It was as if they disappeared from the face of the earth and all of its dimensions in a warped cosmic game of hide and go-seek.

Oberon had sent out his merry clan of equally psychotic whisperers, and they came back to him with...nothing. Shea puts out his own feelings considering he has a line of communication with Nici, but all is silent. I don't like silence, it makes me uneasy. Why hide now? And what type of fucking spell did they cast in order to achieve such a damn feat? I sort of understood cloaking a castle but an entire section of Tír na nÓg and its inhabitants? The fuck? So, when all digs came up empty, I set upon the Knowledge Library with a new fury, determined to figure out what type of magic could have been utilized.

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