Chapter 14

14

LECTURE NOTES FROM REALM RULES a cut only found in Greenshire forest.

Behind piles and piles of books, some stacked taller than Leora, stood the bookkeeper.

Thessa cleared her throat before speaking. “Hi.”

The bookkeeper had kept his back turned toward them and replied with a surly tone. “Can I help you?”

Leora eyed Thessa, encouraging her . Thessa ignored the magic thrumming beneath her gloved hand and placed the book on the counter. “I have a question about this book.”

He turned, meeting her eyes briefly before peering down.

“This one, please.” She pressed it toward him.

The bookkeeper quirked a wiry brow as silence filled the stale air between them. He swept a finger across the worn leather before opening it. His hands moved with grace, before frowning with distaste. “Are you here to play tricks, witch? Where did you get this?”

Thessa tilted her head, unsure of his meaning. “I found it right over there.” She pointed to the aisle of dusty books, as if she’d just picked it up.

“It’s not even a book.” He pressed it back toward Thessa, tapping the parchment and flipping through. “Look, empty pages.”

He was right, there was nothing to see.

“What?” Thessa replied in disbelief. She tried to suppress the urgency in her tone when she asked, “Can you tell me anything about it?”

“I can’t tell you anything about what’s not written. I’ve worked in this library for over one hundred years, I’ve never seen this. Take this nothingness elsewhere, witch.” The bookkeeper turned, mumbling about tricks, and resumed stacking books.

Thessa scowled at his back while slapping the book shut.

Defeat washed over her as they saw themselves out.

“Well, that didn’t go well,” Leora mentioned as if it weren’t obvious.

Thessa was trying not to panic. “Leora, this is too much. My gift is cursed. Blank pages? You saw it earlier … it wasn’t blank. I give up. I just won’t use my magic. I’ve gone eighteen years without it, I’m good without it.”

“Tess! You can’t give up.”

“Blank. Leora.”

Leora shook her head. “Let me have it.”

Thessa handed over the tome without hesitation.

Leora flipped through blank pages furiously.

Thessa narrowed her eyes. “See. It’s cursed.”

Leora shook her head, handing it back. Upon transfer, language and bits of art immediately inked across the worn parchment. Leora’s eyes widened as she said, “That’s magic Tess! It’s just a charm, no curse at all. It must be a protection charm, one that responds to touch … specific touch.”

Thessa slapped the book shut, coming to the same realization.

Leora went on, “The bookkeeper opened it, not you. And earlier, I only stood over it after you opened it, I didn’t. I think you’ve got yourself a charmed gift.”

“Charms are supposed to diminish with time; this book is ancient. And it doesn’t explain why my fingertips turned—” Thessa didn’t finish that thought, then whispered, “If it’s not a curse, then you and I both know what this is.”

Leora stared blankly. After all, it’s not every day one learns their roommates with a demon .

Thessa grumbled, “I’ve had enough,” and started moving.Her pace was as strong as her heartbeats.

“I’ll pray for guidance,” Leora offered, hurrying beside her.

They were both about to be late for their shifts.