Azul stood for a long moment, her face expressionless.Then she wiped the spit from her cheek with a fold of her sleeve and continued walking.She kept her pace, unwilling to give them the satisfaction of seeing her affected.
But her hands, hidden in the folds of her robes, were clenched into fists.
The library was quiet when she entered.
No scholar barred her way this time.In fact, no one came near her at all.The few men inside looked up when she entered, then looked away—quickly, pointedly, as if proximity to her might be contagious.
She moved through the shelves alone, her footsteps echoing in the silence.
"Khatun."
She turned to see Enoch smiling at her.
"You shouldn't be here," she said."It's not safe for you to be seen with me right now."
"I know."He did not move."But I heard you came.I thought you might need help with your search."
Heard my name?
Azul studied him for a long moment.She understood where his loyalties lay, so she wouldn’t question him.
"I need information," she said finally."About Ekesi Akilli."
Enoch blinked."The Titan?”
Azul nodded.
He hesitated only a moment, then led her deeper into the stacks.They stopped before a shelf of scrolls so old they seemed ready to crumble at a touch.
"Ekesi Akilli," he said quietly, pulling one down, "I suppose this is what you’re looking for?"
“Thank you,” she whispered, taking the scroll in her hands."Do you know what happened to it?"
“He was imprisoned.His body lies behind the Third Gate of Hell, sealed away so he can never return to the world of the living."He looked up at her."Tarsyn holds the Third Gate."
“Who sealed it?”Azul dared to ask.
“Before his death, Methuselah sealed all Titans, apart from Enoch.”
Azul absorbed this, her mind flashing with that room that was used to invoke Ani."Can someone open the gate?"
Enoch froze, his brows furrowing."I don't know.The old texts say it requires a king—a true king, one who channels a god's power.And a sacrifice.A great one."He swallowed."But why would anyone want to unleash a Titan?Besides, the texts talk of their return only under specific circumstances.When the Unknown returns, the gates will open, and the world will finally be united as one, under one—”
“Above one.”Azul finished his words, remembering Ukhel’s scriptures.
Something settled in her heart, another thought occurring.
“You think it’s strange too, don’t you?”
Enoch’s words shocked her out of her thoughts, forcing her to meet his eyes.“Why is the Okpalaeze obsessed with becoming a divine king?Why are they trying to kill the Valthorne Khan?”
He knew; he knew all this time.Azul felt relief wash over her; for once she appreciated having another ally in this place.“It’s as if he’s desperately trying to find a way to control the creature.As if the gate is going to open.”
Azul went still.
The death of which whom shall bring.
She had read those words.Copied them for the Dowager.Written them in her own blood.They had meant nothing then.Now—
