Page 105 of The Book Reader
The book surges, humming under my touch before a burst of gold glitters in the air around me. The pages start to flutter fast again, as if it’s searching for something. I watch it mesmerized. It lands open on a page, the writing forming words just like they did in the book back in Gaelan’s library. I don’t need to read the words to know it’s a spell to send me home, I feel it deep in the marrow of my bones.
I want to return to Gaelan—to Illis—but this place in my home too. I don’t want anyone else to claim this as theirs. Asif reading my thoughts, the book pages flutter again, turning to another spell. I run my hand over the words with a smile. I remember this one; I’ve cast it a few times before. Not in this life, but in some of my past lives. Stepping back from the book, I lift my hands high into the air and whisper, “per sanguinem meum, per verba lectoris, custodiat et custodiat.”
By my blood, by the words of the reader, protect and keep safe.
The words from the spell lift out of the book; they float through the air toward me on a trail of gold glitter. The letters then run up my arm to be imprinted on my skin, just above my elbow. When the first letter touches my skin, it burns a little, but by the time the first word is complete, it tickles more than anything.
A dome rises from the book, making me stumble back a little from the force as it soars high into the air, covering the land as far as the eye can see. The dome glitters, pulsing with power like a siren before the gold ball vanishes. The dome will protect these lands from Macy and anyone else who thinks they can take it from me.
Stepping back to the book, I hover my hand over the open pages. The connection chills the palm of my hand, the pages flutter again, and fall to the home spell.
I close my eyes, drawing the book’s power into me. The power ignites my blood, the burn of the words imprinting onto my flesh is less this time. The spell moves up my arm, warm and comforting. The sensation flows along my chest to imprint on my neck.
Chapter 38
ARIANNA
Slowly, my eyes flutter open. I suck in a breath and sit up quickly before looking around the room. I don’t know how I got back here, and the last thing I remember is touching my spell book because it was going to bring me home.
I can’t help the smile that crosses my lips at the thought.
This is my home. And I found the book.
I’m in Gaelan’s bed, my mind now knowing just how much love we both have for each other. I wouldn’t pick anywhere else but here as home. Rex is lying next to me on the bed. He looks up before pouncing on me, licking my face, and covering me in his wet slobber. He growls playfully asI tickle him. I burst out laughing when his excitement makes his whole body shake.
I climb off the bed, and my reflection in the mirror above the fireplace catches my eye; I’m dressed only in my underwear. My whole body is now covered in scroll markings like the ones in my dream. I run my fingers over a few of them; they are smooth, as if they were part of my skin. Different from my dream, these ones feel more a part of me, like they have always been on my skin and I’ve just not been able to see them until now.
There is only one small patch that is clear of any spells—a space over my heart. I lift my hand and place it there. Feeling like whatever is missing is the most important. Gaelan left his shirt and sweatpants on the sofa; I reach for them and get dressed quickly. I need to find him—to see if he is okay and to see if he knows what happened to me.
I know Gaelan is going to be worried about me, and I’m surprised that he wasn’t in the bed next to me. Once I’m dressed, I practically sprint down the hall looking for him.
I arrive at the main entrance to find the door wide open, bathing the entryway in brilliant sunlight. There is nobody to be seen.Odd.
I make my way out into the front courtyard, noticing there is a group of people talking in low, hushed tones. Clearly, they’re worried about something. A young man with bright green hair seems to be leading the conversation. Tod, I recall him being one of the stable boys. He pales when he sees my approach.
“Is everything okay?” I question.
“My lady. There was an attack in town, his lord has gone to defend it.”
Worry takes off in my stomach, filling it with butterflies that have razor-sharp wings. My hands fist with determination, this fighting ends now.
“Thank you,” I call out as I push past the other daemons surrounding Tod. Gurt is nowhere to be seen as I grow closer to the lake’s edge.
“Walk over it.”A voice in my head whispers, making me smile. The singular voice brings peace; it’s no longer the overwhelming group voices.
The magic of the book rises, making my skin heat up as prickles run over my body.
Walk on water?
Looking down into the stream, I laugh a little in disbelief. If I fall in, I’m going to die.
“Trust.”The voice calls again.
Sucking in a shaky breath, I reluctantly step onto the surface of the lake. My feet sink in just a little as the water pools around my toes. I pause, waiting to see if anything happens, but nothing does. This isn’t any deadly water, waiting to take me to the afterlife. Feeling a surge of bravery, I run fast over the water, hearing it splashing under my feet with each step I take.
When my feet touch the shore on the other side, I want to fist pump the air, but I don’t have time for that. Seeing people gathered, I can hear swords clashing together, and from what I can see. Daemons are fighting all over the village. My eyes scan the fighters, looking for Gaelan; I see him up ahead, fighting three daemons. All with different colored eyes, all look like they want to kill him and everyone in the village. I watch as a dagger comes flying through the air, aiming for Gaelan’s head. I scream.
“No!” My hands flies out, a flash of gold follows, freezing the dagger and every single weapon being held by the attackers.
