Page 31 of Ringmaster
Hours later, all I’ve gleaned from my reading is that Seraphim half-breeds exist—and their powers are inconsistent. Some can go an entire lifespan, though the length of life span is unclear, without ever manifesting powers. Others manifest at certain human ages, and some abilities awaken after immense trauma or other situations that break the tethers on the magic and release it. In one book, I found information about the types of powers half-breeds can possess, which vary entirely and essentially left me with more options than I feel equipped to handle. Abilities range from shielding, truth detection, healing, oracle-type visions, and blood magic to seeing the future, inhuman strength, and immortality. But many powers are unreported. Seraphim half-breeds are significantly rarer than Nephilim, and most of the documents focus on those offspring. There’s only one documented record of a Seraphim half-breed. He was said to be able to walk all realms, captured by the Fates and used for hundreds of years, hunted by demons, and eventually enslaved by the Divine. He fractured the courts of Hell, swayed the balance between good and evil in favor of the Divine, and trapped Lucifer in our realm. The only reasonLucifer can appear here at the circus is because it’s tethered to the underworld via the runes scattered around the perimeter.
Many of the texts offer vague details about the different wars between the Divine and the Infernal Courts. One particular text,The Cost of Crossing the Divine,warns of a bloody war that has yet to happen. I can see why. It predicts the Infernal Kingdoms joined under one Lucifer, one ruler that unites them all and forces the Divine from the human world, trapping them to the heavens where they belong, and restoring balance to the world at last. Uniting the kingdoms, though, is a fool’s errand. Something that will never happen. I slam the book shut. The answers I seek still elude me.
The research wasn’t overly helpful, but I did find a prophecy that I think has to do with Mercy… and whatever curse I’m trying to break. I write it down and tuck it in my pocket to show Zora later.
It says:The girl born of grace and ruin will tip the scales. But whose side she tilts them toward is yet unwritten. True love’s sacrifice will set everything in motion.
One by one, I return each book to its rightful place. All that remains is to close the grimoire to protect our secrets. Before I do, I gently run my fingers over the pages. I wish I’d found the answers I came here for. I need to uncover the prophecy we’re meant to break. It’s very clear now that whatever I’m supposed to do will involve Mercy and me—together.
The book pages quiver and shake against my fingers. I look down, in surprise, as a singular entry appears.
“Find me,” a raspy voice whispers. “Find me and discover the truths that await you.”
I freeze, fighting the urge to shiver. The book calls to me, but laced in its words is a hint of malice. I get the sense nothing good will come from this book.
“For Mercy,” I sigh, setting my jaw and heading in the direction the voice called from.
Its magic hums in the air, leading me right to it. Encased in its own display—surrounded by the thickest glass and bound in chains both inside and out—the book pulses, filled with immeasurable power.
“Azrael,” it hisses. “Open me. Wield me and fulfill your purpose. Together, we can be unstoppable.”
I’m desperate, crazy, and obsessed with finding answers, but I’m not reckless enough to free something of this magnitude.
I step back, refusing to turn my back on it.
“Don’t go,” it calls. “Azrael, we belong together. Read me. Take me with you. I house the answers you seek.”
I shake my head. Time to go.
Retracing my footsteps, I return to the dais where the grimoire rests open, awaiting its next command.
The book, sensing my intentions, screeches. “Only you can ascend the throne!” But it’s not enough to lure me back.
I press my finger to the page and command, “Forget I was here. Leave no trace of my research. Close.”
The pages blow in an invisible wind until the cover snaps shut. The entire stand descends beneath the floor, sinking into a warded chamber below ground.
My jaw aches—a subtle reminder it’s time to feed. I hurry out of the library to complete my chores in the barn and confide in Marblas.
Chapter 19
Mercy
The day has been nothing more than a blur, my thoughts wandering to Azrael, remembering every stolen second in his arms last night. I think I fell asleep there. I dreamed I floated home on a dark, stormy raincloud, and when I awoke, I was in my own bed, sun streaming through an open window. Today, I was careful to smile only when no one could see. I did my chores like any other day, but my mind kept replaying every touch, especially the kiss. Just imagining it sends butterflies swirling through my stomach all over again.
Clang.
The front door slams closed, snapping me out of my thoughts from where I sit waiting for my father at the dinner table. Apprehension creeps in. My heart races as he stalks closer, each footstep thudding heavy and angry as his work boots land against the wooden floor.
Bang!
I hug myself, curling inward, cowering beneath his glare. I barely breathe, stealing tiny sips of air through my nose so he doesn’t feed on my fear. My mother looks from where his fists landed on the table to my face, all the color draining from her cheeks.
“What did I say about the circus?” he demands with a snarl.
He’s baiting me, and I know it. Forcing myself to look him in the eyes and lie, I answer, “That I’m never to step foot in the circus again.”
“Oh, so you remember,” he hisses, bringing his face inches from mine.
