Starkeeper of the Fractured Crown

Page 104



My frown deepened and I shook my head, trying to shut my mind off from accidentally contacting the High King. “Um…” I cleared my throat and turned for the table, closing my book slowly. “There’s something else I can show you,” I said, sweat already gracing my brow. “But you have to swear on your life that you won’t tell a soul,” I said, turning back to him. “I’ve never been more serious about anything, Cole.”

His brows pulled together. “Will it help?”

“If not in one way then it will help in another.”

He studied me carefully. “You want me to swear not to tell a single soul?”

I nodded once. “It’s the only way I can show you.”

He considered the offer and finally nodded. “I swear on my life that I won’t tell a soul about what you’re wanting to show me.”

I studied him a moment longer before releasing a breath. “Okay, dress down. We’re going to the city.” I sent up a prayer to the gods that this wasn’t a mistake. That this would help, not harm, our future, but the only way to know for sure was to do it.

10

My Bible, Chapter 14, Verse 5

Never lie. Never take my name in vain. Make them see the light. Even if it blinds them.

Kyra

Ilooked over as he joined my side at the mouth of the alley, gauging his reaction. “What do you see?”

He inspected what sat before him, face twisting in contemplation. “Didn’t know there would be a test.”

I pressed my lips into a thin line, wanting to join in with his playful banter, but I was far too nervous. “Nervous?” I asked, hoping he would say yes so I didn’t feel like such an idiot.

He inhaled deeply, giving me a look. “Can’t work under pressure, Talons, gods.”

I rolled my eyes and gestured towards thealley. “It’s not a trick question, I promise. What do you see?”

Cole eyed me for several more seconds before turning back. “I see an alley.”

Relief swam through me almost overwhelmingly so. “What do you smell?”

He inhaled deeply. “Humans,” his face twisted. “Garbage.” At my frown, he said, “but it’s a lovely alley. Beautiful. I would live in this alley.”

I grinned and rolled my eyes. “It’s not the alley that’s the important part. I mean, it is important, but that’s not exactly what I wanted to show you.” I sanded my hands together. “It’s 53 steps from one end to the other,” I explained, taking a step into the alley. “Tell me if something changes. I’ve had a lot of questions for a long time, maybe you can answer them and hopefully find some of your own answers along the way.”

Cole rose a brow, looking down the alley again. “You counted the steps it takes to get from one side to the other?”

I nodded as I made my way towards the other end, Cole joining my side seconds later, his cloak brushing by mine. “I found this place when I was nine,” I explained unsteadily. “I was curious about a lot of things. I showed Ket not long after that, but I had to hold his hand for him to see it.”

“See it?”

I looked over. “Hmm-mm. No one else can see this place. All they see is a brick wall.”

Cole glanced back to the entrance. “Really?”

Another nod. “I don’t know why I can see it, so I call it the Impossible Street. You’ve been wondering where Iget all of my stuff from, my information. This is it. It took a while for them to accept me, due to me being human, but I’d like to think we’re amicable now.”

“Hmm,” Cole pondered. “How long—whoa,” he shuddered, nostrils flaring. “Ancient magic.”

I glanced back from where we had come, then towards the Impossible Street. “Halfway? I wonder why no one sees anything then. Dead end alley or something would have made more sense.” I looked over. “What does ancient magic smell like?”

He rolled his shoulders and smacked his lips. “Tastes like moldy bread, smells like cheese.”

I sneered, glad, for once, I didn’t have the heightened senses they did. “That’s gross.”


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