“I told him I was looking for a gift for my brother, Cillian. I only mentioned that he was unwell, but it felt like he already knew. As if he understood exactly what I needed and who my brother was, even thoughI had never met him before.” Her fingers traced the worn cover of the book. “And then he gave me this.”
Selene leaned in, eyes sharp. “What did he say? About the book?”
Evelyne shook her head, trying to remember the man’s exact words. “He said it was a story. And a guide—for my brother.”
A guide.
The word echoed in her thoughts as she tried to understand it. A Hallowell witch had written the book. Maybe even the same one who had performed the Great Rite a century ago. It was a story, but she had never stopped to see it as something more. A key. A map. A prophecy hidden in plain sight, threaded through its pages. Had Cillian discovered that before he vanished?
“I never understood why this book ended up with me,” Evelyne murmured, the words tumbling over one another. “At first, I thought it was just an odd tale, something to lift Cillian’s spirits. But maybe he saw something in it that I didn’t.” She looked between Alaric and Selene. “When the man gave it to me, I felt something. A kind of hum. Like the book was… content to be with me.”
Selene’s eyes widened, as if a missing piece had just fallen into place. A small smile touched her lips. She spoke softly, almost to herself. “You met a seer.”
“A what?” Alaric asked, turning toward her with full attention.
Selene leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “A seer,” she said again, her voice steadier now. “They’re incredibly rare, so rare I wasn’t sure any still existed on this side of the continent. Maybe it’s because witches can’t sense their magic. But their gift allows them to glimpse the past… and what might lie ahead.”
Alaric’s brow furrowed. “Like an oracle?”
Selene nodded. “In a way, yes. Some receive their visions through dreams, others through touch. A few can only see fragments, while the most gifted can glimpse events unfolding far away as if distance means nothing to them. Some seers even possess rarer abilities, like sensing changes in the land itself or seeing how nature will respond to what’s coming. Their sight is powerful, but it’s not without weight. Knowing the future doesn’t always mean it can be changed.”
Evelyne swallowed, the memory of the bookseller flashing in her mind. He had looked at her with a knowing gleam, like he recognized her and had always known their paths would cross. “So you’re saying this man knew I would come to him?”
“Not just that.” Selene paused. “He knew you needed this book long before you entered his shop.” Her eyes dropped to the weathered cover resting between them. “I don’t know the reason why. But whatever it is, don’t let this book out of your hands.” She placed a gentle hand over Evelyne’s. “Listen to the seer’s words. Trust what was given to you.”
Evelyne’s brows knit together. “But he said it was meant to guide Cillian. Not me.”
Selene leaned back slightly, thoughtful. “Maybe it was, at first. Maybe it served its purpose for your brother. And now, it’s with you. Waiting for you to uncover what comes next.”
Of course; Cillian might have already figured it out. He always had been the sharp one. Meanwhile, she’d been holding on to this book for weeks and still hadn’t unlocked its meaning. Frustration rose in her chest, but she pushed it down. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on what she hadn’t done.
“We should go.” Evelyne glanced at Alaric, her tone leaving little room for debate. He nodded once in agreement. She turned back to Selene,her voice softer. “Thank you. I’m sorry if we took up too much of your time.”
Selene offered a warm smile. “You’re always welcome here. If you want to talk more, you know where to find me.” As Evelyne and Alaric stepped toward the door, she called after them, “Enjoy the ritual tonight.”
Chapter 38
As they stepped out of Selene’s shop, Alaric caught the way Evelyne’s fingers drifted along the worn edges ofThe Lantern’s Keeper, her eyes distant and unfocused. The strain of their conversation still clung to her, quiet but heavy, like something she hadn’t quite shaken off. He knew she needed time to sort through it all—but there was something he needed to take care of first.
He cleared his throat. “Ev.”
She blinked and turned to him. “Hmm?”
He raked a hand through his hair. “I need to check something. The trading post, just outside town.” He tapped his temple with two fingers. “I haven’t been there before, but know the routes well enough to navigate it.”
“You think something’s wrong with trade up here too?”
“Probably.” Alaric exhaled. “If the southern trade routes are shifting, it wouldn’t be surprising if things are off here too. Everything’s already a mess, and I have no idea how we’re supposed to fix it.” His jaw tightened. “But there are still people back home who have no idea what’s coming. If something’s wrong, I must try to set it right at least.”
Evelyne studied his face. He sighed.
“Can I walk you back to the lodge? I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone.”
She waved him off. “Please. Don’t worry about me. Do what you need to do. Go get your answers.” A flicker of a smirk touched her lips. “Although, let’s be honest—you got plenty today.”
Alaric let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Not enough. I’ll regret it if I don’t check in at the outpost before we move on. I think one of my father’s men is stationed there for the season.”
Evelyne hugged the book to her chest and glanced toward the market street. “I’ll be fine. I was planning to see more of the market anyway.”
