Trembling, I go to stand, but as soon as I put weight on my foot, needles puncture my skin, my muscles, my bones as the blood flow returns to my limb. In the distance, lit by the moonlight, I watch as Nolan, Charlie, and Maddox battle the serpent. Maddox must have told them by now to go for the tongue, because that’s where they all seem to be aiming, but the serpent is too quick and the target too small.
“You have what you came for. Just go,” whispers a wraith.
“I didn’t come for a book,” I say. “I came for him.”
And then I run, hobbling, for the ocean.
The ocean waveslap around my ankles, cold and bitter.
The entire way, the roots of the tree ran beside me, bubbling up carefully, racing to be near their beloved book just a few moments more.
They creep out onto the beach, following me.
I raise the book above my head. “I’m the rule-breaker,” I yell, hoping my voice will carry across the island, that the serpent will be able to sense it. “You don’t have the right to feast on them. Only me.”
In the distance, the serpent’s head pivots.
A moment later, it barrels across the island toward me, a jet of black, its scales shimmering white in the moonlight.
“Kill it,” I whisper to the roots, to the Tree, to the library below. “Kill it, or I drop your book in the ocean.”
A few of the roots draw back, looking offended.
I step back further into the water, fighting a shiver as it reaches up to my knees. One more step, and I’m waist deep. Another, and it’s up to my chest, and I’m having to hold the book above the water and brace my core to keep myself steady.
“Maybe you think you can get to it before the ocean does,” I say, but as if on my side, the ocean spray spatters against the bony cover, sprinkling the page ends with droplets.
The roots shudder, but they advance all the same.
At the same time, the head of the serpent grows larger. It thrusts itself through the air, jaw agape and razors for teeth glittering.
The roots turn back, as if gauging the speed of the library’s menacing servant.
This isn’t going to work. The library won’t sacrifice its servant for one book.
“You don’t have to kill it,” I say to the roots. “But you do have to stop it. Keep it from hurting us.”
The roots crane back toward me, like serpents themselves, swiveling their heads.
In the distance, I hear my husband call my name as the serpent reaches the shore.
All of a sudden, roots sprout forth from the earth. The ones on the beach go for the serpent’s tongue, ripping it from its mouth in a coordinated attack. Those still on the island emerge in roots the thickness of my waist, wrapping themselves around the shocked creature. It writhes, but the roots are many, and they squeeze against the serpent’s body.
I trudge through the water, making my way toward the ship, careful to keep the book from getting damaged. Shouts are coming from the island and the ship. A few moments later, a rescue boat emerges from the darkness in front of me, Evans at its helm.
He grabs for me, but I hand him the book first. “Keep it safe,” I gasp as soon as a wave hits my mouth.
He hands it to the sailor behind him, then grabs me under the arms and hauls me into the boat. As soon as I’ve regained my balance, I glance toward the shore, hoping Nolan and the othersmade it. It occurs to me that the library might try to hold them hostage in order to get its book back, but as I glance back at the serpent, I notice that all the roots seem to be preoccupied with keeping it down, restricting its writhing massive body, as the master cages its loyal servant over the preservation of a book.
By the time we’ve reached the ship and Evans has helped me up to the deck, my entire body is shaking from adrenaline.
“Darling,” says the only voice I ever care to hear.
I glance up to find Nolan leaning over me, his face contorted with what looks to be mingled irritation and pride. He scoops me into his arms, pulling me to his warm chest. Faintly, I hear Charlie telling him she’ll find the healer, and Maddox directing orders to the crew.
“The book,” I say. “Evans gave it to one of the sailors. We can’t lose the book.”
Nolan carries me down the stairs, his grip tightening around me. “Stop muttering about a book, you stupid, wonderful woman.”
