Born By Moonlight by Krista Street

Chapter 17

~ AVERY ~

Wyatt’s hand drifted down to thread his fingers through mine. “The library is heavily enchanted. I want you to stay with me. When you are within those walls, the magic preserves everything. Maybe it will preserve you.”

I cocked my head in confusion.

His gaze was a stormy torrent, a glow rimming his irises. “I’m hoping it will extend your life. That the magic will delay what’s happening inside you and will give me more time.”

I nodded in sympathy because I was unable to take that hope from him, even though I knew my life was fading despite being here in the magically preserving libraries. While Hana’s magic had helped temporarily with the dizziness, I still felt weak and off. I’d had that strange off feeling ever since the comet’s arrival, only now, it felt different. My muscles had weakened. My breaths felt shallow. Already, I felt tired even though I’d only been awake for an hour. I was tempted to close my eyes and sleep again.

But I would fight to stay alive. And if going to the library helped prolong that fight, then dammit, I would do it.

“I can spend the day there with you, but my parents are here. I want to see them.”

Wyatt’s eyes widened. “Shit. I completely forgot they were coming. Where are they?”

“They’re staying at a hotel in the city.” I pointed above us. “However many feet it is to street level.” I peeked toward Nicholas.

The vampire still hid in the shadows, probably to give us privacy. At least his sex-mojo was under control this morning. I didn’t know if I’d be able to fend him off at all right now. Not that I ever could before.

“Nicholas, would it be possible for me to visit my parents?” I asked.

“May I ask where they’re staying?” Nicholas inclined his head, the perfect host.

I rattled off the name of the hotel.

His brow furrowed. “I could send a car for them. They are not allowed within these walls, but there is a neutral area where we conduct meetings on the surface. Would you like them brought there for a visit?”

A rush of gratitude filled me. “Yes, please. Thank you.”

He dipped his head again, and for once that cocky arrogant tilt to his lips was gone.

For a brief moment, I was reminded of the man I’d seen in the cafeteria all of those weeks ago. The man behind the vampire, who had a decent soul, but had to live with the urges his nature forced upon him.

Wyatt’s fingers tightened around my hand, the heat of his palm growing. I knew he didn’t want me to leave him, and I knew he wanted me in the library to take advantage of its preservative effects, but I couldn’t not see my parents. They’d traveled all this way after I’d called them for help. And if we couldn’t find answers here, if my death was inevitable, then I needed to say goodbye to them.

A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

Wyatt squeezed me again. I could only imagine the scent I was giving off—probably fear with a touch of doom. How sexy.

“How long will that meeting take to arrange?” Wyatt asked.

Nicholas straightened. “I imagine I can have them here by this afternoon. Avery, would you like to join us in the library until then?”

I nodded vigorously even though my legs already felt limp from standing. “Yeah. I want to see what you’ve found and help in whatever way I can.”

∞     ∞     ∞

The spells woven into the libraries carried a unique blend of heavy, aromatic magic that seemed to shimmer in the air.

I understood now what Wyatt was talking about. It felt as if a coating of energy hummed along my skin, and if I lifted my hand, it felt slightly weighted down, as if I were pushing through a thick pool of soup.

“So this is what the fountain of youth feels like,” I joked as Nicholas pulled out a chair for me.

The legs squeaked on the floor, yet the grating noise didn’t carry. It was as though the library swallowed its sound.

“You’ll get used to it,” he said with a wink. “I’ve been told by visitors that the enchantments and wards are unlike anything they’ve experienced elsewhere. It can take some adjusting to.”

I sagged onto the chair in relief, giving him a small smile of thanks. My chest rose unsteadily. Already I felt out of breath, and I’d only walked two hundred feet from our chambers down the hall.

Wyatt pulled out the chair beside me, his heavy stare grazing over my skin like a burn.

Even though I’d put on a brave face, I had a feeling I wasn’t fooling him. During the walk from our chambers, I’d kept my head high and my strides even, hoping to put his mind at ease so he could concentrate on the task ahead.

I knew he hadn’t slept. Hana told me that both he and Nicholas had worked through the night. And from the agitated energy rolling off my commander, I knew he hadn’t even rested.

Normally, Wyatt was composed, keeping his emotions in check, but given his dark expression and growing beard, I knew he was running himself into the ground. And who knew how many late nights he’d spent in the fae lands before returning to the SF to view my final test. He’d been working tirelessly for weeks given that time moved differently in the fae realm.

An ache swelled in my chest. We’d had such little time together. More than anything I wanted to be with him and explore what we could have had.

I shook myself, realizing where my thoughts were going. No. I wasn’t giving up yet. We would find a way to stop the Safrinite comet from killing me.

Wyatt’s oak and pine scent drifted toward me when he reached for a text spread out on the table. “I’ll show you what we’ve found.” He plucked several sheets of crisp new paper from one of the books. A dark scrawl flowed across each sheet, written in perfect English. “The gargoyles translated these texts last night before they returned to stone.”

He handed them over to me, and I read the sheets quickly, noting the references to celestial events that Wyatt had told me about in our chambers.

“They’ll undoubtedly find more information today,” Nicholas said, leaning closer as he read over my shoulder. “The gargoyles here almost have a sixth sense, able to sniff out the texts that contain the information they need. And the three that I’ve assigned to your case have worked as a team before. If any gargoyle partnership can deliver answers quickly, it will be them.”

Wyatt grunted in what I could only surmise was his thanks. While he and Nicholas weren’t exactly friendly, they did seem more civil toward one another this morning.

I scanned the sheets again, the library as quiet as a tomb despite the fluttering paper. “How cryptic,” I murmured. “Do you think—” But I cut my question off when the sound of shuffling feet on stone came from behind us.

A four-foot-tall gargoyle, adorned in a thick woolen blue robe, bowed at Wyatt. “Major Jamison, I’ve found something new.” With fingers sporting long claws, he waved toward the large textbooks under his arm. “If I may.” He padded closer to the table.

Wyatt shot to standing, his chair nearly toppling over in his hurry to clear the table for the scholar.

With a loud thump and a plume of dust, the gargoyle deposited the texts between us. “You must be the young witch this mysterious illness is plaguing?” The gargoyle’s face twisted into a sympathetic smile. His parted lips revealed hideous-looking teeth that would make any child scream. Dark, solemn eyes regarded me, and his stone-colored skin looked ashen in the fairy lights.

Luckily, I’d met a few gargoyles in my travels so their appearance no longer shocked me. “Yes, I’m Avery Meyers, and you’re correct. Nearly two weeks ago, the comet caused some kind of magic to erupt inside me. Since then, it’s killed my witch magic and seems intent on killing me too. That’s why we’re here. We’re hoping these libraries will tell us how to rid me of whatever the Safrinite comet birthed inside me.”

The gargoyle held out his hand, the tip of his claw curling delicately around my palm before he kissed the back of my hand. Cool, rough lips grazed my skin. “I’m saddened to hear that. I’m Master Romanus, at your service. My fellow scholars, Masters Ambrose and Godric, and I will endeavor to find the answers you seek. Masters Ambrose and Godric are currently searching the archives in the Veritas Library. Godric is the one who found the texts you were just reading. Some say he’s a wizard at finding even the most elusive tomes.”

“Like I said, the dream team.” Nicholas winked at me, his blue eyes flashing as a lock of blond hair fell over his forehead.

“Well?” Wyatt loomed over the gargoyle, his hands on his hips. “What have you found?”

“Let me show you.” The gargoyle hefted one of the texts open and turned to a page he’d marked.

His curled claw traveled over the paper until he reached a line near the bottom.

The writing was so faint, it was a miracle he could read it. A hum of magic washed over me when he began to recite the elegantly sprawling words.

My breath sucked in. It was written in ancient elvish—a dead language that was rumored to be the first among the fairies, although elves didn’t exist anymore. They were long extinct.

Once Master Romanus finished reading, the magic summoned from the book slowly faded, and he said in English, “Translated it reads, For on the night of the heir’s conception, the great prophecy will begin. The stars will amass to twice their size, and the magic will be born in the fated starlight couple. And only when the Safrinite comet returns will the true prophecy occur. The magic will erupt in the heir destined to forge our path, creating the path for the gods to be born. Only then will we rise.”

A blast of magic shot from the book when the gargoyle snapped it shut.

I gasped just as Nicholas said, “Apologies if that magical rush took you unaware. That happens from time to time with the documents in these rooms, especially when they’re written in elvish.”

Wyatt’s chest rose and fell. He’d tensed beside me, as if sensing an unseen threat.

I felt the same. The haunting words swirled around me, weaving me into their cryptic message. Forging the path for the gods to be born.

A bolt of awareness shot under my skin, as if the power that had killed my magic and was slowly killing my life had responded or awoken to the elvish language that had just been spoken.

“How strange,” I whispered. It was all I could manage. My blood felt as cold as the Arctic, and goosebumps had sprouted on my arms. “But what does all of that mean? Stars amassing? Planets aligning? A fated couple of starlight? And a prophecy?”

I shivered. I knew everything was linked, but it was a matter of figuring it out and hoping that we could find a way to save me in time.

Master Romanus pushed the heavy tome aside and dragged the second one closer. “I would surmise that it means the Safrinite comet’s magic was predicted long ago. You have to remember, it hasn’t returned to the fae lands in over two thousand years, and that tome from which I just read is almost two thousand years old. And that book is in elvish. It’s from the fae lands, as are many of the texts in this library. Now, listen to this clue. Another one lies in here, and we believe it’s also referencing the Safrinite comet.”

Nicholas, Wyatt, and I all leaned forward.

Master Romanus flipped to a page. Even though the giant book was written on paper that resembled cloth, it was beautifully preserved, the pages still supple and soft-looking.

And as Master Romanus began to read the elvish words, magic again tingled on my skin making me pimple as the ancient power washed over me.

When he finished reading, he translated it into English. “For when the fated couple bears our heir, and the power is awoken through the ball of purple light, our reign shall spark the rising of her, the ancient one, and only then will the prophecy prevail.”

When finished, the three of us assessed one another wide-eyed.

“The ball of purple light must be the Safrinite comet.” Wyatt tapped his finger on his hip.

I laced my hands together because they were shaking. “And more references to a fated couple, an heir, and a prophecy. Except this one also talks about an ancient one. But how do I tie into all of this? Am I somehow a part of this ancient magic? Or am I the heir? Or part of the fated couple?”

Wyatt inched closer to me, his arm drifting around my shoulders. His scent filled my senses, helping to slow the pounding of my heart. Gods, it was crazy how right it felt to be with him.

“Are we the fated couple?” I whispered, looking up at him.

He shrugged, his eyes glowing. “I don’t know. I know you’re my true mate, but fated mates are so rare. I’m not sure if that’s what we are.”

Nicholas’s elegant fingers stroked his chin. “Based on what you’ve found, Master Romanus, fated mates or not, I think it’s fair to say that whatever happened to Avery was predestined. It wasn’t an accident that it occurred. These texts speak of an ancient prophecy, and they read as if a recipient of this prophecy is the gateway.”

“But a gateway to what and at what price?” Wyatt seethed.

I shivered again, another rush of ice overtaking me. It was as if every time these ancient words were spoken in elvish tongue, a piece of my soul responded.

Wyatt pulled me closer, his warmth pressing into my side. I clung to him, soaking up every bit of spare heat he had.

Nicholas frowned. “Are you all right, Avery?”

My teeth chattered even though I tried to snap them shut. “I’m fine. Just cold.”

“Your lips look a bit blue.” His frown grew.

Wyatt tensed, his entire abdomen growing rigid before he tilted his head to better assess my features. His lips thinned. “He’s right. You’re paler, and there’s a blue tinge to your lips. Get Hana,” he barked at Nicholas.

If the vampire had any qualms with Wyatt bossing him around, he hid them well. Nicholas rose to his feet in an elegant blend of speed and grace. “Normally, I wouldn’t leave a visitor unattended in this library, but as I can see Avery is in no place to venture anywhere, I will, yet I still ask that you give me your word that you won’t leave this table.”

Wyatt nodded curtly. “On my honor.”

As if knowing Wyatt’s honor was the equivalent of a sealed fairy bargain, Nicholas disappeared in a blur of vampire speed, the ancient door to the library squeaking shut behind him.

Master Romanus watched it all from across the table, his large dark eyes blinking in the bright fairy lights. “I shall return these texts to their proper shelves and confer with Masters Godric and Ambrose. I shall return when we have more information.” The gargoyle dipped his head before shuffling away.

Alone with Wyatt, I sank completely against him, letting him support my weight. I couldn’t get close enough to him. I was freezing. It felt as if ice slid through my veins and around my heart.

Wyatt wrapped his arms around me, hauling me closer to his chest. Coarse hairs from his chin tickled the top of my head. “Your skin is so cold.” He ran his hands up and down my arms, using friction to warm me.

I shivered even though his hands felt like fire. “I’m fine, really, just cold.”

His nostrils flared. “You’re not fine, Avery. You’re—”

A bang came from the doors, and in a blink, Nicholas was back at our side with Hana in his arms. The aged witch let out a gasp of surprise at their abrupt halt.

“Apologies,” Nicholas murmured before setting her carefully on her feet.

She reached out a hand until she connected with the table to steady herself. Then, on small feet, she scuffled toward us before laying a hand on my forehead.

Her brow puckered. “Your skin is like ice, and the magic—” She cocked her head. “It’s advancing.”

“What?” Wyatt barked. “I thought this room would help?”

Hana’s milky unseeing eyes stared over his head. “I’m afraid that even the power in these rooms isn’t enough to stop whatever magic has awoken in her. Its power is too great. It is not of this world.”

My lips parted, a line of the elvish text swirling through my mind. Our reign shall spark the rising of her, the ancient one.

Another shudder struck me.

“Is there something hot for her to drink? Or warm blankets?” Wyatt ran his hands along my body once more, but I shivered again.

With a discontented rumble, he ripped his long-sleeved shirt up and over his head. He had a T-shirt on underneath, but even though it was thin, I knew the coldness at these depths wouldn’t bother him.

Wyatt draped his heated shirt over my head, and I slipped my arms into it. I was momentarily distracted as I sighed in bliss at how hot it was.

“That may help temporarily,” Hana said. “But it won’t keep her warm.”

“Then dammit, where do I get—”

But before Wyatt could finish his sentence, Nicholas had blurred away and returned with a tray in his hands. A steaming cup of tea sat on it, a small teapot beside it. “It’s enchanted to stay hot no matter how long it’s left.” He deposited it on the table.

Hana sniffed. “Ah yes, that shall do the trick. Here, girl, drink.” She grasped the delicate cup and saucer, and lifted them, the bone china rattling in her unsteady grip.

I took both from her but deposited the small saucer back on the tray, and wrapped both of my hands around the cup. I sighed. So warm.

Nicholas regarded me as I drank my fill, but he kept checking his watch.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Yes.” He gave me a placating smile. “I wanted to let you enjoy your drink, but it’s also important that you know your parents have arrived.”

I straightened. “They’re here? Now?”

“Indeed. Would you like to see them?”

“Is that wise?” Wyatt cut in. “If these libraries help preserve supernaturals, to have Avery leave them in her condition—”

“Wyatt.” I placed my hand on his arm, my eyes pleading. “These rooms aren’t going to stop the inevitable, and I need to see them.”