Devilish Game (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 4)

“Agreed.” His voice was ice, but that strange look was in his eyes. He said nothing more on the subject, however, and just tilted his head toward the library door. “Good luck in there. Contact me if there is any assistance I can provide.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked down the street.

I watched him go, the strangest burn in my chest and behind my eyes.

Mac approached to stand at my side. “What was all that about?”

“Hard to explain.”

“I can imagine.” She studied me, then shook her head. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

If I ever am.

I turned away from Grey, who was disappearing around a corner, and approached the library door.

“I

t’s not meant to open for another twenty minutes.” Mac pounded on the door so hard that the ancient wood shook. “Seraphia!”

I went to a small, mullioned glass window and peered inside, gasping at the sight.

Though the exterior of the building was a tiny Tudor shop—no bigger than the Kebab storefront, the interior was enormous. I could only catch shadowed glimpses of it, but the ceiling soared high overhead, and millions of books covered the walls.

Inside, a small, pale figure raced forward. I joined my friend just as Seraphia yanked open the door, looking tired and harried. Her dark hair was a mess around her head, and her eyes were sleepy.

“What the bloody hell are you doing, pounding at this ungodly hour?” Seraphia demanded.

“It’s eight forty-five in the morning.”

“Oh.” Seraphia grimaced. “Really?”

“Are you all right?” I asked.

Seraphia dragged a hand over her face, revealing the glowing tattoo of vines on her forearm. Her dress was well wrinkled and the shadows under her eyes dark. “Please excuse me.”

“What’s wrong?” Mac demanded.

“Nothing.” She opened the door wider to admit us. “Come in. What can I help you with?”

Mac and I shared a glance. That was a brush-off if I’d ever heard one, but we’d only recently become friends with Seraphia. We weren’t close enough to push, so we didn’t.

I followed Mac into the gorgeous space. Unlike the rest of Guild City, this building appeared to be more modern, though still relatively old.

The interior was grand, reminding me of Notre Dame or St. Paul's Cathedral. But instead of God, this place worshiped books. The enormous space was stuffed to the brim, each soaring wall containing thousands, maybe millions, of tomes on the many shelves. Ornate carvings covered the ceilings and decorated the space between the shelves, creamy marble transformed into scenes from various novels.

There were dragons and knights and queens and witches, heroes and heroines, war and joy. My breath left my body as I spun in a circle, taking it all in.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Seraphia asked.

“Out of this world.” I craned my neck to look upward at the domed ceiling. Stars twinkled overhead, somehow visible against the ceiling. It didn’t make any sense, but I didn’t care.

“What are you here for?” Seraphia asked. “Is it about the kidnappings?”

“It is.” I stepped toward her and withdrew the slip of paper from my pocket. Quickly, I unfolded it and showed her the drawing within.

She frowned, studying it. “So you want more information about this image?”

Mac and I nodded.

“Is there anything else you can tell me about it?” she asked.