“I think it is just another name of reverence for the god,” Sage confirmed. “This text—this historical account—would indicate that Aurelia was divided into four Quarters because the people turned from Aeternus and began to worship other gods.”
“That makes no sense based on what we’re taught in school,” Kira said. “But at the same time, it would explain why, on thestreets, there have always been those saying to turn from the darkness. To turn back to the ways of old.”
“In theory, it makes a lot of sense, we just have no way to prove whether it’s accurate or not—” I started.
“No,” she interrupted. “I mean, it makes no sense that this would have been hidden in the library. Why is it that we have never seen a text that references any form of god other than the five we’ve been taught to worship? Why was this particular book in a dark closet hidden behind a shelf on the upper levels?”
“Knowledge holds power . . . it’s a way to gain control,” I stated. “And Luc has always sought control over all else.”
“Even if that’s what he wanted—the control, the power from having us all believe one thing,” Finn added. “Why not destroy the text entirely? Why keep this book hidden? How were we able to find an occasional other mention of this god who supposedly divided Aurelia?”
“Youshouldn’thave been able to,” Sage confirmed. “And if I hadn’t made sacred vows at the library—ones which I definitely broke by taking this book—you never would have even had access to any of the books that mentioned this god.”
“Even if we disregard the book entirely, it puts a whole new spin on the angels we’ve seen shouting throughout the streets,” Emberly stated.
I picked at the tassels on the couch pillow, my fingers tugging at the threads of string as I thought. “No, you’re right. The female I followed . . . the one during Brumalis . . . she had been out on the street outside Solis Court just that night. And then the RSG took her to the court temple.”
“Because Lucanus is silencing them,” Finn added as realization dawned across the room.
“Okay, but even if that’s true, there’s literally no way for us to determine the actual truth regarding the history of Aeternus,” I said.
“Other than the fact that our own king is going out of his way to silence those speaking of Aeternus,” Emberly said.
“Well,” the slow drawl came from my sister as she looked at me. “Theretechnicallyis one way,” she finished with a pointed look at my phone.
“No, Kir,” I bit out. “I amnottexting that number back. You heard what Lucanus told me. If heisa spy, I’m not going to risk Orela’s safety any more than we already have. I won’t do it.”
She raised her hands in protest. “I’m not saying it’s the smartest idea, but it could maybe give us some answers.”
“At what cost?” I demanded. “Us going to prison? Being locked up for conspiring against the king? Treason? What will happen to Orela in the temples?” I shook my head, angry that my sister had even suggested the idea.
“It’s not the worst idea, Rae.” It was Emberly who spoke up this time.
“You’ve got to be joking,” I stated in a huff, only to realize that all four of the people I held closest in the world were nodding in agreement. “Seriously?”
“We need answers, darling,” Finn answered. “It may not be the best idea we’ve come up with, but it’s something. We’re in enough trouble if we get caught as is—what’s a little extra?”
“I can’t believe you—all of you,” I replied. “I’m not texting him. I’ve already put all of us in enough danger as is; I don’t need to put us in even more danger.”
“If you won’t text him, I will,” Kira stated, reaching across the table in a flash as she tried to grab my phone from me.
“No.” The word was a rushed demand as I tried, and failed, to grab my phone back from her.
Kira rushed up, darting across the room as she began to type out a message.
“Don’t you dare!” I shouted as I hurried after my sister, attempting to grab the device back from her. She spun in acircle, trying to escape my grasp as I tried to knock the phone from her grip. “Give it back!”
“Not until I send the message,” she demanded, attempting to escape my hold once again.
“We arenottexting him,” I replied. “We have literally no reason at all to trust the male, especially if he is a spy.” My fingers clawed at the phone, trying to knock it from her grasp as she pushed away from me.
“For the love of the stars,” Finn said before he stepped between the two of us and pushed us off of each other.
“Kira, give Raelyna back her phone,” he bit out in an expostulated tone as though he were our father rather than my best friend.
I humphed triumphantly as Kira passed the device back to me, which only had Finn shooting a scathing look my way. “For Astara’s sake, Raelyna, you’re a century old. You know better than to fight with your sister. Now suck it up and text the stars-damned male. I don’t care if you think it’s an idiotic idea . . . we have no other choices, and Sage can’t keep stealing books from the library for us.”
I glared at the male before reluctantly sitting down on the couch and typing out a message.
