When he found himself alone, a hush settled over the space. Then something stirred. It wasn’t a sound exactly, but a sensation, like a note held just beyond hearing. It drifted through the silence and curled around his thoughts, coaxing him forward. As if the books themselves were singing, and one voice among them was calling just to him.
His fingers hovered, then closed around a particular volume:The Concord of Shadows: A Forgotten Rite. Its cover was cracked and blackened with age, yet it thrummed faintly under his touch. He flipped throughthe pages, skimming them to grasp what secrets the book might hold, until his eyes fell on an illustration—a tree. Almost the very tree from his visions, except this one breathed with life. His heart plummeted.
Snapping the book shut, he pressed it tightly under his arm, fearing it might vanish, and carried it to the counter. The librarian’s eyes lingered on the volume, her lips pressing together briefly before she handed him a cloth bag.
“Treat it well,” she said softly. “Some things find you when you’re ready.”
Chapter 12
Afew days had passed since Evelyne had urged her father to consider how beneficial it might be for Cillian to spend some time away from the house. To her surprise, he had brought Cillian along to Velenshire. Since their return, Evelyne hadn’t interacted much with her brother; he spent most of his time buried in the library or tucked away in his room.
Now, as she stared out of the carriage window, watching the vibrant greenery of fields and trees gradually give way to the bustling cobblestone streets of Caltheris, the sight of the grand market looming closer made thoughts of Cillian drift away. Despite Aurelia’s excitement, Evelyne was less than thrilled at the prospect of shopping for the upcoming ball. Her sister’s insistence had been overwhelming, and left little room for refusal.
“But you simply must come to help me find a dress for my last ball before returning home,” she had pleaded.“And you, too, might find something rather nice! Pleeeease?”She had drawn out the word, a soft, irresistible coaxing. Evelyne had agreed, figuring some fresh air couldn’t hurt.
The sun had already begun to dip below the horizon when their carriage rattled to a stop. The streets were alive with merchants calling out to shoppers. As they stepped out, Aurelia immediately linked arms with Evelyne and guided her toward the market, her excitement palpable.
The jewelry shop they entered first was elegant, its wooden shelves lined with velvet trays displaying glimmering treasures under golden lamps. Aurelia’s face lit up as she picked up a necklace adorned with intricate emerald drops.
“Evelyne, look at this!” she exclaimed, holding it up to her neck and turning to admire her reflection. “Isn’t it exquisite? Imagine how it would catch the light during the ball.”
Evelyne smiled. “Yes, it is stunning. Almost distractingly so. Do you want people staring at the necklace or looking at you?”
Aurelia laughed, brushing off her remark. “Don’t be ridiculous, sister. Accessories elevate an outfit. Speaking of which, these earrings would be perfect for you!” She held out a pair of sparkling teardrop gems.
“Perfectly unnecessary,” Evelyne quipped, inspecting them with feigned interest. “But if I must endure the season, I might as well blind everyone with my dazzling lobes.”
Aurelia shook her head with an affectionate grin. “You’re hopeless, Evelyne.”
“Hopeless but amusing,” Evelyne shot back, placing the earrings back on the display.
After some time, Aurelia clasped her hands together decisively. “I think I’ve seen enough here. There’s a dress shop down the street I must visit before we leave. Will you come with me?”
Evelyne paused, then gestured vaguely toward the street. “Actually, I spotted an antique bookstore nearby. I’ll meet you at the carriage in an hour—or the dress shop if I getbored of musty old tomes.”
Aurelia sighed dramatically. “Fine, but don’t lose track of time. I’m not waiting all evening for you to dig through dusty books.”
“Noted,” Evelyne said with a mock salute, earning an eye roll from Aurelia as she turned to leave.
Evelyne stepped out of the bustling market street and into the hushed serenity of the bookshop. The world seemed to still as she crossed the threshold, the lively clamor of nobles and merchants replaced by the soothing creak of wooden floors and the faint rustle of pages. The air smelled faintly of cedar and parchment, a nostalgic aroma that wrapped around her like an old friend. She moved slowly through the aisles, her gloved fingers brushing over leather-bound spines embossed with faded gold titles.
“Looking for anything in particular?” came a gentle voice.
Evelyne turned to find the shopkeeper watching her. He was an older man, his eyes glinting with the mischief of a thousand untold stories. A wiry gray beard framed his warm, knowing smile.
“Not exactly,” she replied, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Something for my brother. He’s been… unwell.”
The man nodded and disappeared behind a wall of books without a word. Evelyne watched, a faint unease prickling at her, but he returned moments later with a small book. Its leather cover was worn, but it was clear it had been cherished.
“This,” he said, holding the book out to her, “is for him.”
Evelyne’s brow furrowed as she studied the weathered volume. Its deep green cover bore intricate gold lettering. The title,The Lantern’s Keeper, sparked curiosity within her.
“What is it?” she asked.
As the man shifted, she met the unwavering gaze of his gray-blue eyes. “It’s a story,” he said, pausing just long enough for the meaning to deepen. “And perhaps… a guide forhim.”
“For him?” she repeated, her fingers brushing against the edge of the book as though it might burn her. “How could you possibly know what he—”
