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“Does time make sense?”

Crinkling her forehead, Alex said, “What?”

“Time,” Zaylin repeated. “When did it begin? When does it end? By whom and how was it created?”

“Time is a construct,” Alex replied. “It exists as a point of reference. You can’t create time—it is what it is.”

Zaylin looked at Alex with arched brows, apparently believing her point had been made.

“It’s not the same,” Alex argued.

“If you truly believe that, then answer me this: who decided that time was to be a point of reference or how such a ‘construct’ would work? And more, what happened in the timebeforetime—what made time,time?”

Alex felt her temples begin to throb.

Zaylin quickly made it known that she didn’t expect a response. “There are just some questions that will never be answered, Alex. This is one of them.” She paused meaningfully and finished, “The Library can’t be explained—it can only be experienced.”

Alex had been led to believe as much before, but she’d presumed the otherworldly, ancient race might have had more information. Evidently, she’d been wrong. And yet, as headache-inducing as Zaylin’s time analogy was, Alex grasped her point. Time justwas. And that was also the case for the Library—it justwas.

Is, was, and forever will be, Alex mused.And I thought the Library couldn’t get any more mysterious.

Needing to know that at leastsomethingshe’d learned about the Tia Aurans during her time in the past was true, Alex said, “So it’s a ‘no’ to A’enara and a ‘no’ to the Library, but theValispath—that was you guys, right?”

Zaylin grinned. “Yes, Alex. That one was us. A gift to the Meyarins, long before we banished them.”

“Whydidyou banish them?” Alex couldn’t help asking. “What happened between your two races that led to the Immortal Wars?”

A shadow passed over Zaylin’s face. “That’s not a story for mortal ears, nor is it something you need to know, despite your curiosity. But suffice it to say, they sought to be more than they were, and they didn’t care what damage they caused in order to receive what they believed was entitled to them. Their pride was ultimately their downfall, their banishment devastating on a larger scale than you could ever comprehend. For my people, as well.”

Already knowing about their inability to bear children, Alex wondered what other consequences the Tia Aurans had felt in the wake of the Immortal Wars.

“I can’t help getting a fallen-angels vibe here,” Alex said, thinking the comparison remarkably apt.

Slowly, Zaylin said, “I’m not sure I know to what you’re referring.”

Alex waved aside her confusion, knowing better than to try and explain. “I’m sorry you went through all that with them,” she said instead. “I can’t imagine what it was like, your two races pitted against each other.”

Zaylin held her eyes and quietly said, “I think, of all people, you can indeed imagine it, Alexandra Jennings. But I sincerely hope the outcome of your own war is more favourable to both sides than what resulted between the Meyarins and the Tia Aurans.”

Alex hoped so, too.

“Enough of this,” Zaylin said, unsheathing her sword once more. “Despite your readiness to return to your friends, they are not in your room right now, with the five of them currently out wandering the city.”

Alex wondered how Zaylin could possibly know that, since she had been here the whole time. But given how little Alex knew of the Tia Aurans, she wouldn’t be surprised to discover they had some kind of mental link between them, just like the draekons. Regardless, presuming Zaylin was right and her friends were spread out across Vardaesia, there was little point in Alex heading back just to wait anxiously for their return.

“Assuming you have no other urgent matters to attend to,” Zaylin went on, “I could use some practice.” She raised her blade. “And you, while mortal, are an acceptable opponent.”

“Acceptable?” Alex smirked at the Tia Auran, summoning A’enara as she taunted, “In case you missed it, I kicked your ‘sloppy’ ass just before.”

“Perhaps,” Zaylin acknowledged, her silver eyes sparkling. “But had you been anyone other than who you are, that wouldn’t have been the case.”

At Alex’s questioning glance, Zaylin returned her smirk and explained, “If my people are only equal to the Meyarins in fighting prowess, how do you think we managed to conquer and banish them?”

“Since you wouldn’t tell me, I have no idea,” Alex said pointedly.

Zaylin’s smirk widened and she said, “Let’s just say yours wasn’t the first race to be blessed with gifts.”

Alex’s body stilled with understanding. “No freakingway.”