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Aella
“Can’t believe I missedanother lesson. Anything interesting happen in combat training?” I tossed over my shoulder.
“Depends,” Theron whispered. “Do you find striking the same spot on a monster training dummy for over an hour interesting?”
I shrugged. “More interesting than staring at a wall while waiting for the healing potion to kick in.”
“Looks much better now. Better than it did twenty minutes ago.”
Theron and I wandered the library. We were the volunteers to search out and bring back everything the school had on harpies and cerberi. From all the students from our class that we ran into in the stacks, we weren’t the only ones.
I touched the healing scars on my temple. They were still a bit tender, but like Theron said, they hurt less than they did an hour ago. And an hour before that.
“Aella, why don’t you check upstairs in the bestiary archives? That’s where they keep the pre-Olympian history books.” He pointed up. “I’ll keep looking down here.”
“Sounds good.”
Like everywhere in the academy, the library was larger—and more impressive—than any life I’ve lived. This place was the same style as Madame Remis’s room with the spiral staircases leading to stacks upon stacks on floors over floors. I climbed one to the very top, stepping off among the archives.
Cerberi, cerberi, cerberi.
A creature that can see the past, present, and future. What could one tell me if it wasn’t hellbent on killing me? It could start with how I ended up in the goddess’s clutches. What went so wrong that horrible night, but also, what went right that I was able to stop her completely taking me over mind and body? And most importantly, was their victory in my future... or the end of everything?
I trailed down my desired section, running my fingers along the spine.If only I could find one and ask. That they’re hideous hellhounds didn’t mean they’re mindless beasts. They’ll have a way to communicate, and if I could speak to one and ask if I defeat the goddess and how—?
Great idea, Aella,another voice broke in.We’ll just pop through the gates and have a chat with one of the deadliest, unkillable creatures in Olympia.
Cursing, I sank to the floor. What was the point of coming up with theories if I couldn’t leave the grounds to find the answers? The dryads said I had to break the link to break the spell, but they also insinuated there was another barrier after that.
I did not delude myself that I could make another deal with them to get past the rest. I still had no sensible plan to get out of here, and every second I wasted, Olympia was brought closer to danger. I didn’t see her coming the first time. Why would I be forewarned the second?
“What are you planning?” I whispered. “How can you possibly complete the ritual?”
She was there in an instant—speaking from nowhere and everywhere. “It’s no fun for either of us if I ruin the surprise.”
“I hate surprises. Trust me, telling me now will be so much more fun for me.”
She faded away, her laugh lingering behind.
Thud.
I shot up. “Who’s there?”
A voice drifted through the stacks. “I was going to ask you that.”
Picking myself up, I peered around the column, gazing into the bowels of the archive. Darkness shrouded at the edge of the torchlight, and within it, I heard movement.
Slowly, I crept closer. “Hello?”
“Hello,” they replied, light and playful.
Hairs rose on the back of my neck. What is this? Why is someone lurking around up here?
“What are you doing in there?”
“Waiting for you.” The alarm bells chimed at maximum. “Did you bring me something sweet?”
Carpet, couches, and a small table littered along the back wall. Squinting, I spotted a moving shadow passing over an armchair. “This isn’t funny. Stop fucking with me and show yourself.”
