Both shook their heads, and Sid said, “I can track down refs that interpret runes.”
I glanced at the clock. “We’re almost due for class. Will Petre let us take any of these away?”
“Not likely,” Sid said. “Many of these are single editions, and ancient. But he will stash them for us. We can return after class.” He started gathering the books.
Breana met my gaze. “Caliel says there is someone who might know what those runes mean. The Gryphon who is inside Marcus was a renowned scholar, and has studied ancient languages.” She handed Sid her books. “If we hurry, we might be able to catch him before class.”
Her words were hopeful, but her expression troubled, and I wondered what the issue was. Was something wrong with the Gryphon living inside her?
Not that anything about him living inside her was right. It bothered me that he was in there. Watching our every move. And maybe, not liking it.
Not liking me and her together.
How could I compete with someone that lived in her head? It was the worst kind of male dick-measuring contest, when one of us didn’t even have one.
I pushed the thoughts out of my mind as we hurried out of the library and headed up a floor to the entrance of the Coliseum. Team Centaur hadn’t yet arrived for the class about battle strategies. We almost pounced on Marcus as he appeared at the top of the stairs.
Despite our shared experiences at the volcano and the lake resort, his first reaction to Breana remained one of distrust.He actually took a step back before stopping. It appeared that Centaurs, even ex-Centaurs, were nothing if not stubborn.
I handed him the Polaroid shots showing the runes on each side of the blade.
“Caliel thought Iskar might be able to help with translating this,” Breana said.
Marcus stared. Then he looked closer, and stared again. His gaze flew to the hilt over my shoulder.
“This from your sword?” His voice was curiously hoarse.
I nodded.
“Cara gave it to you?”
I stiffened, just a little. “She said it selected me, which, I realize, sounds crazy.”
“Maybe.” He swallowed.
I was increasingly uneasy. “What do the runes say?”
Marcus tapped at one picture. “These ones loosely translate to ‘Take me up.’ He shuffled to the second one. “And this is, ‘Cast me away’.”
I stared at him. “That makes no sense.”
But Marcus seemed not to hear me. He was clearly having a conversation with his inner Gryphon. Then he said, “It is most likely a copy and not the original sword. The original was infused with high magic.” He broke off, staring at me. “Your weapon did glow at the volcano. And the runes appear and disappear?” When we nodded, he paused again, his expression troubled. “The original had gold inlays on the hilt, with chimeras engraved upon it.”
I opened my mouth to tell him about the sword only letting certain people draw it, but then closed it again. Faced with someone in the know, I was suddenly unsure.
Sid had no such issues. “It only lets him pull it from the scabbard. Well, him and Bree.”
Marcus’s eyes widened, and they fastened on the hilt. “I think it’s time to remove that leather wrap.”
We were surrounded by students on their way to class. I glanced around for a private space, but couldn’t see one.
Then Breana touched my elbow and led us to the elevator. It had just spat out students, so we piled in. It was a tight squeeze with Sid, too.
Marcus hit the ‘close’ button. “Give it to me.”
Not without reluctance, I unslung the scabbard and handed it to him. The first thing he tried to do, was draw it.
And the sword refused to budge, even an inch.
