Casting a wary glance down the corridor, I threw the doors open and ducked into the room. The scent of mildewand binding glue filled my airways as faelight illuminated the sconces on either side of the doors.
I was standing in Caladwyn’s study — a small private library of sorts. Shelves laden with books rose to the ceiling. Spines of leather, dyed linen, and silk were crowded together from one wall to the next. Titles in unfamiliar languages glinted along the spines, while some tomes were so old that their titles had faded completely.
I quickly took in the rest of the room. Stained-glass windows leant a church-like atmosphere to the study — a reverence for all the knowledge contained within. They spilled their jewel-toned puddles of moonlight onto the polished oak floor, and at the convergence of the multicolored pools of light stood a gleaming mahogany desk.
As if led by an invisible hand, I circled the desk, and those strange whispers started up again. Magic pricked at my skin, raising goosebumps in its wake. This had to be where Caladwyn kept the cipher.
Gathering my skirts, I dropped to one knee and gently opened the top drawer of the desk. It was empty apart from some paper and ink.
Undeterred, I quickly searched the rest of the drawers but found nothing out of the ordinary.
Finally, I tugged on the pull of the bottom drawer and found that it was locked.
A puff of air hissed between my lips, which were nearly numb from the buzz of magic emanating from the desk. The cipher was in there —I was sure of it. I just didn’t know how to get to it. I’d come too close to turn and walk away, but I knew instinctively that it was useless to try to force the lock.
“Open,” I growled in frustration, giving the brass pullanother half-hearted tug and wishing I could bend the lock to my will.
A softclickechoed in the study, and I felt the drawer slide open. My jaw went slack as I looked down at my hand and the drawer, which now stood ajar.
HadIdone that?
Had I just unlocked it by magic? It seemed utterly impossible and yet . . .
I shook my head. I would think about that later.
Greedily, I tore the drawer open the rest of the way and stared down into its depths. It was empty except for a small golden instrument that was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.
Half a dozen brass wheels were set into a box lined with emerald velvet, each etched with an assortment of letters and symbols I’d never seen before. A delicate brass crank protruded from one side — for turning the wheels, I presumed.
I reached for the cipher, but my hand met resistance. It was like trying to push through air that had been made solid, which caused my skin to tingle uncomfortably.
It reminded me of Adelaide’s wards, only stronger. The harder I reached to try to break through the barrier, the more my strength seemed to dwindle.
A low hiss slipped from between my teeth, and the sound of someone clearing their throat made me retract my hand as though I’d been bitten.
I shot to my feet, reaching for my weapons, and all the blood drained from my face.
Caladwyn stood in the open doorway, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. “I did say this evening was sure to be interesting.”
My tongue got tangled as I fumbled for some kind of excuse —anythingto explain why I was in his study without revealing my true purpose. The drawer I’d unlocked was hidden behind the desk, but if he came closer — if he took one step to the left — he was sure to see what I’d done.
“My apologies,” I said, inclining my head. “I . . . didn’t mean to intrude.”
Caladwyn’s turquoise eyes narrowed in suspicion, though he kept his pleasant smile firmly in place. The effect was unsettling. “You are Lyra, Kaden’s little huntress.”
My shoulders itched defensively at the description, though it was what Kaden often called me himself. From Caladwyn’s lips, however, the moniker dripped with condescension.
His low chuckle told me my revulsion was as clear as my answering silence, and he stepped forward into the room. My stomach clenched as he closed the door behind him, and I automatically reached for my dagger.
“Oh, there will be no need for that,” said Caladwyn breezily, his gaze darting to my bare leg. In my haste, I’d reached through the slit in my gown to get to the dagger sheathed at my thigh.
I froze, remembering how easily Kaden had disarmed me.
“I see that you found my cipher. Well done.”
My throat had gone dry, but I didn’t dare swallow. I was sure Caladwyn could smell the sour tang of my sweat — the fear oozing from every pore. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of confirming what he already suspected.
“I assume that is why my dear cousin brought you here in the first place,” he continued. “He so seldom attends my little soirées.” Caladwyn wrinkled his nose in a pout. “Perhaps it’s for the best. My cousin never did have the temperament for court life. I do believe he shattered poor Armedrel’s nose.” Caladwyn gave a disapproving sigh. “Ah, well. He’ll live. Kaden, on the other hand . . .”
