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Rees gave us a curt nod. “Then I guess you’re free to leave.”
Killian stiffened behind me, and I could not be certain if it was from the insinuation we wouldn’t have been free to leave, or if he wished they would have kept us here so I wouldn’t attempt to return to the Hall of Knowledge. “Fine, then.”
With my head held high, I headed back to the Phantom Saber. Killian remained in step with me, and as we boarded the ship, he rallied the crew to prepare to fly.
“Ainsley.” His voice was calm and tentative.
I sighed. “I apologize. It was never my intention to cause so much trouble.”
Killian hooked his finger under my chin, tilting it so I’d meet his gaze. “And where would the adventure have been if you hadn’t? Hmm?”
“Be serious,” I said, twisting away from his watchful eyes. “I didn’t realize the consequences of my search. I will be more careful.”
Killian stared at me for a long moment, longer than was comfortable, and simply nodded. “Then you must know we can’t go to the Hall of Knowledge.”
I tensed. “But I must. Perhaps I may go alone—”
“Out of the question.” He quickly cut me off.
“Killian, I need to see the map. There was a town I saw in my head—it was clear as day—and if I can examine the maps in the Hall, I know in my gut—call it a magic casters instinct if you must—I will be able to find its location. I feel as if whatever my mother hurled at me was a message. Perhaps a plan of some sort. I need to find that town, travel there, and hope I’m right about this magic she put inside of me.”
Killian rubbed the back of his neck, shaking his head and staring at the deck of his ship.
“Please, as soon as I learn where Highvein is located, we can—”
He interrupted and hung his head as he sputtered, “Wh-what did you say?”
“Highvein,” I repeated. “Do you know of it?”
He let out a dry, humorless chuckle. “Well, we certainly don’t need the Hall of Knowledge for directions to Highvein.” He took a few strides to the edge of the ship, placing his hands a shoulder’s width apart upon the railing. “Dammit, woman. That would be the only other place I’d beg you not to go. Aye, I know of Highvein. We all do and avoid it at all costs.”
“Why?” I inquired, sucking in a sharp breath.
Killian turned and seemed to study me as he continued to shake his head. If the situation weren’t so dire, all of his head shaking would be quite comical, but alas… “It’s a hellhole. A damn pit of crime and evil. A dungeon. Poor, pathetic. It makes Darkhold appear as beautiful as Rookhallow Proper.”
My lip twitched as I observed Captain Killian Flynn’s frustration grow at yet another adventure I would be leading him on.
“Well,” I grinned cheekily, “I suggest you stop being such a chicken, Captain, and prepare to sail. Highvein awaits.”
