Page 141 of As Above, So Below

“You’re better off,” Cyran says, turning his face forward, a silent signal he’s finished with the conversation.

My curiosity and intrigue eat at me. The burning need to know more about Eve’s history consumes me like flame set to parchment.

I have so many questions.

“How long were you a part of this—this guild?” I ask, genuinely interested in learning more about the fae female beside me.

“Longer than I should have been.” Eve stares across the room at the fireplace.

A non-answer if I’ve ever heard one.

“Nine decades,” Cyran answers and my eyes race to him.

“How do you…?” Eve trails off before pursing her lips and nodding slowly. “You investigated me.”

Cyran nods once.

“Oh, this is going to be absolutely delightful, Ves.” Eve gives me a less than enthused glance. “Your royal guard knows everything about my history.”

He’s notmyroyal guard.

“Not everything,” Cyran corrects. “But enough to deem you capable of protecting Lady Vestaris.”

Eve arches a brow. “The Sovereign King has to protect his interests,” She drawls dryly.

Turning, Cyran reaches for the door. “Should you require me, Lady Vestaris,” I grimace with the use of such a title, “I’ll be in the hall.” The door closes behind him.

Eve bristles. “That fae is a ray of sunshine,” She mutters under her breath. “Did you notice how he never smiles?”

Dragging myself across the bed, I pile onto the floor and reach under my bed.

“Honestly, no. But,” The shoulder strap of my leather messenger bag lies just out of reach, “now that you’ve mentioned it…”

Pressing myself as far under the bed as space will allow, I manage to wrap my fingers around the strap and pull. It slides across the marble floor, stopping as it hits my knees.

“What are you doing?” Eve peers down at me, but doesn’t movefrom her spot against the wall.

“Well, since we’re not able to really wander outside of the temple, and I’d rather not cross paths with Artemise after her council meeting, I figured I’d read through one of the books I have.” Pulling the bag into my lap, I throw open the flap and begin to open the clasps. I’ve been so distracted lately as things continue to spin out of control—I just haven’t had the time. Or the mental wherewithal to spare.

Eve stretches across the bed, peeking down at the bag. “You mean one of the books you brought with you from the hells?”

Reaching in, I withdraw the larger obsidian box and set it beside me. Her eyes follow it, round with interest. As I pull the two books up, a creeping sensation tendrils its way down my thumb and through my wrist. Flattening the leather bag, I set them on top.

“Yes,The Elder MythosandFated Celestialsare the two texts I’ve brought with me.” I glance up at Eve as she lowers herself onto her stomach and props her chin up on her hands, her legs kicked up behind her.

I almost laugh at how child-like she appears at the moment.

She scoots herself closer to the edge of the bed and before I can stop her, she snatchesFated Celestialsfrom the floor. It almost makes it to the bed before she gasps and drops it. It falls the short distance, landing on its spine before falling open to a random, blank page. The expression on her face is one of pure shock.

“What in the nine hells—”

I laugh. “A defense mechanism. Though I’m not sure why it needs one.”

“You mean that book iscursed,” Eve retorts, emphasizing the syllables of the last word. She shoots me an incredulous stare while wiping her hand on the seat of her robes rather aggressively. “And I just fucking touched it. What kind of cursed book hasblankpages? Wait, no. Don’t answer that.”

Unable to keep the smile from my face, I reach for the book.

“I’ve touched it several times. Other than discomfort while holding it, nothing has come of it.” I say as the book’s magic winds itself around my fingers and hand with the strange tingling. “And not all the pages are blank. There are a few chapters on Celestasomewhere in here.”