AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Done. Next, shake the vial to ensure complete dissolution.
It changed color, from chalky powder to brilliant green, then it faded to blue and reverted to white. Once it had settled into a thicker, grey substance, it was ready.
Sam tipped back the vial, grimaced against the foul taste, and swallowed.
Gasping and gagging, they checked their newly acquired pocket watch, keeping time.
Each experiment had completed faster than the last, and with less discomfort.
After recording the time, Sam grabbed the cell phone, set the digital timer, and hurried back up the spiral stairs.
“Hallo?”
Sam froze, ducking down below floor level to remain unseen.
“Anyone here?”
Frederick.
A regular patron. But it wasn’t his usual day to exchange books.
Listening, breath held.
Frederick shuffled toward the back of the library. The sounds of books sliding and dropping on the desk resounded down the stairwell.
“Magic books? Who would look at those?” Frederick mumbled. “Creepy.”
He sighed, moving around the back room where patrons weren’t welcome.
Teeth clenched, tongue held, Sam waited.
“Where is he? There’s nothing good left to read,” Frederick grumbled, rummaging through other piles and shelves.
Frederick appeared in Sam’s line of sight, looking through the overstock shelves.
Sam’s annoyance prickled at the invasion of the off-limits room.
Go away!
The phone timer ticked down. This particular sample could not go to waste. Confirmation of the viability of this experiment was imperative.
“… come back later, I guess.”
Sam sighed, eyes rolling, waiting for Frederick to leave the library.
As soon as the main door clicked shut, Sam darted out of hiding and sprinted forward.
Easing the door open, they confirmed that Frederick was gone.
In the elevator, sweat slicked Sam’s hands, fingers drumming on a thigh, praying there wouldn’t be any unfortunate encounters during the elevator ride.
Heart tripping, the doors opened and Sam strode as naturally as possible toward Kargassa’s private rooms.
The rooms through the black doors had been turned into council chambers.
Ignore those.
The new king was away, but that didn’t mean someone else wasn’t around that could cause trouble. Using the spelled key, Sam slipped into the royal suite, gaze darting over every surface and possible hiding place.
