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I hold out the scroll. “I was sent by Amell to collect the Book of Shadows.”
Bastien reads it, rubbing his jaw. “Is Amell okay?”
“Fine, and still banished to the Underworld. Thus the reason for my visit.”
“And he needs the book for what?”
I could lie or be vague, but I have nothing to hide. “He’s going to try to use it to get my brother back.”
“Back from where?” Bastien asks.
“Eternal damnation,” I reply.
He opens his mouth, most assuredly to ask what that means, but closes it just as quickly. Instead, he sighs and jerks his head toward the door. “Follow me. We need to find Thalia as she’s the only one who can access the vault where it’s kept.”
“Some type of blood magic keyed only to her?” I guess.
“Actually, it’s in the royal vault that houses all the Clairmont riches. It’s guarded and if anyone tries to get in, orders are to kill with no questions asked.”
That’s sounds like a bright-line rule if I ever heard one. “Even against you?”
Bastien shrugs. “No clue. Never wanted access to it so never asked. But I’m not about to hand the book over. That has to be her decision regardless of that scroll you have asking for it.”
My teeth grind because I hadn’t anticipated Thalia might deny me. Her father was clear in his request for the book but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. If necessary, I’ll take the damn thing and worry about the fallout later. It’s true that Thalia knows how to wield blood magic and has Amell’s powers within her, but she’s no match for a demigod.
No one here is.
We move through the castle to the grounds out back, finding Thalia sitting in the garden reading a book.
Not the book I want though.
Her head lifts as we approach, regard first going to her husband and immediately filled with joy at seeing him. I wonder if Zora will ever look at me that way.
Attention then lands on me as she rises from her chair. Thalia Clairmont Dunne is a stunning woman. She has dark chestnut-colored hair that she wears in a high ponytail and fern-green eyes. It would be hard to peg her as a royal as she’s wearing clothes that are clearly from the First Dimension—jeans, a plaid shirt, and cowboy boots. I know she lived some years in Wyoming while in hiding and apparently likes the fashion.
We were not formally introduced when I was here last time to collect Amell, but there’s no doubt in my mind she knows who I am.
Inclining her head, she’s polite. “Greetings.”
Bastien hands her Amell’s letter. “He’s here at Amell’s behest.”
She unfurls it, scanning quickly before she rolls it back up. Thalia doesn’t question me why her father wants the book the way her husband did.
Instead, she asks, “How is my father?”
“He’s very well. Quite happy following his nuptials to Nyssa.”
Thalia’s smile is tight. “Yes, she’s wonderful and it makes me happy beyond measure that she has him. He’d be happier yet if he were allowed to visit his only daughter.”
I tip my head. “You make it sound as if it’s my fault he’s stuck in the Underworld. That was his punishment for defying a god’s orders.”
“And yet I can’t help but feel that you take pleasure in his penance,” she says, accusation clear in her tone. “I know all about your complicated triangle between my father and the god of Life.”
I swivel my jaw in agitation. It’s really beneath me to engage in this as I’m getting that book one way or the other. But I decide to ease her mind, despite the fact I rarely give benevolence. “Your father and I have made peace, Thalia. The gods hold him hostage there, not me.”
She lets out a heavy sigh, and for some reason, I feel a little bad that father and daughter are being kept apart. Sure, Thalia can come visit him, but what happens when she has children? They’re not going to bring her baby into the Underworld for Amell to see.
“I’ll speak to Zora about rescinding the restriction on him, or maybe making some travel allowances.”
