“Gods above,” Moric breathed. He took another book from the pile and began frantically reading.
I perused an old newspaper article that had been copied and superimposed onto a page of the textbook before me.
The entire town gathers in the square to mourn the loss of thirteen-year-old Abby Bayfield. Bayfield was found dead in the early hours of the morning, by her fifteen-year-old brother, Samuel, who claims to have seen a large creature prowling in the area just days prior.
“It was late at night, a few days before I found Abby,” Samuel said, in an interview with this author. “I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d take a walk outside and see the chickens in the coop ‘round back. I was returning to the house when I passed by the well, and I saw this large hand – I don’t think I can even call it a hand; it was more like a claw, with six scaled fingers and long black nails – coming out. It scared the [redacted] out of me, so I hid. I should have told someone sooner. If I had, Abby might still be alive.”
The injuries found on Bayfield are consistent with a six-fingered creature.
Residents are being advised to lock their doors and keep all windows closed until we have further information.
I shut the book.
“Find anything?” Lana asked.
“Just this.” I pushed the textbook toward them. The article had left me feeling ill. “I need some air.”
Moric and Lana looked up at me as I stood.
“I’ll be back in ten minutes. I just need a walk around the block to clear my head.”
“Should we come with you?” Lana asked.
“No. I’ll be fine.”
Moric nodded, returning to the pages of his book, and Lana gave me a soft smile.
I followed the winding staircase back down to the ground floor, passing the scholar in the front as I exited. Cool air greeted me, much to my relief, and I sucked in a few breaths.A few stalls had been set up in the square today, but I wasn’t interested in viewing the items on display. I turned left, leaving behind the scent of freshly baked pastries and fragrant spices, strolling toward what appeared to be an apothecary.
The jars and tinctures that were displayed on the window ledges drew my attention. Objects floated within the containers, suspended in green fluid and, on a shelf beneath them, a row of what looked to be curved teeth were arranged from smallest to largest. I was so engrossed in examining the items that I did not register the shift in energy beside me, until the elven stepped into my field of vision.
Echon.
The gruesome scar that ran along his jawbone was even more prominent up close. The afternoon light cast the planes of his face into harsh angles. Goosebumps rose along my neck.
“What’s a fragile thing like you doing so far from Valhan House?” the elven mocked. “Fallen out your nest and gotten lost?”
I resisted the urge to take a step back. It would only prove how much he unsettled me. “I’m here to do some research before the second challenge.”
“What research are you doing out here, little bird?”
“I’m not a fucking bird. And I’m obviously not researching out here. I just stepped outside Pyxis for some air. What business is it of yours, anyway? I am free to roam Lomask as I please.”
The corners of Echon’s lips curled with barely constrained indignation, his fingers twitching at his sides. “You dare talk to an elven like that? How you mortals have grown in courage. There was once a time you worshipped us, like gods.”
“Things change when gods turn on you. When they sacrifice you in a ruthless game of survival. When theysilenceyou.”
Echon’s eyes flashed. “You mortals succeeded in the first challenge through mere luck. Well, most of you, of course. Pity your little friend didn’t make it.”
Rage bottled in my throat, and I stepped toward him, fingers clenched at my side.
Echon tutted. “It’s no use breaking your hand again, mortal. You may be under the protection of the Trials, but do not forgetthat birds who fly too high get their wings clipped. The third Trial waits to conquer you all, and if you do not die during the second challenge, you will most surely meet the sticky end you deserve on Cosanus.” He leaned closer to whisper, “I, for one, can’t wait to see the look on Kilian’s face when another one of his precious mortals meets death.”
Echon whistled an upbeat tune as he strode away, hands in his pockets, leaving me white-knuckled as I turned his words over.
As soon as he had left the courtyard, I spun on my heel, marching back to Pyxis with renewed determination. I approached the scholar at the reception, giving her my best smile.
“Could you please point me toward information on Cosanus?”
