Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

Secrets

~ (Continued) Hexday, 11th of Aprilis, 11831 ~

"Síofra?" Elizabeth asked that evening, "Shall you do something with me? It is to be a secret though." The two were in her room, Lizzy sitting by the vanity and Síofra brushing her hair before bed. Dinner had been wonderful, everyone chatting and getting to know one another. After the second course they had even decided to again swap seats and keep things lively. She hoped these informal-formal dinners would continue.

She had spoken with Vivien about blancræft, so very glad he had said he would teach her, and then Pierre about magics in general. Tibault had been interested in that as well, asking some things about the fée. That conversation was what prompted this one with her new friend.

"Of course! Though why is it secret?"

"It may get us in trouble," Lizzy said softly, not turning around to look at Síofra just yet. She trusted the other girl but was not sure about revealing the book or telling her about her dream-vision. She did not wish to burden Pierre with it, though she was certain she could trust him with her secrets.

"Those are by far the best!"

Elizabeth did not smile at that and Síofra put aside the brush to give her her full attention. "Lizzy? How much trouble?"

"I found a book," she replied. She wrung her hands together in her lap. "About magic and Clandestina. It has sections on necrocræft and things about the fée that I do not think are widely known. Perhaps the tome has been hidden here for years and years. But I want to go read some more of it tonight. I saw it in a dream, I did not just find it lying around, it came to me! Or, she did. A woman gave me the book in a dream and I then found it in the same place in the library. I either deceive you to sneak past, which seems unlikely, or you come with me. I would like you to come with me."

"Necrocræft," Síofra whispered. It was not a magic that the fée practiced often, or at least she knew of no one that did. It was illegal for them as well, though if caught it was not the death sentence that that laws of human lands came with. The guardian of the magic, Mora, sometimes did come to visit the land. There was more chaos and blood in that plane than in this one and she thrived on it.

"Let us go then," Síofra said. "I wish to read this as well. Maybe I can speak with Mother and Father about it, they may know more." She did not like to be ignorant, and being at least in part human her father had insisted that some of the darker aspects of being fay were kept from her. Her mother taught her some things, but not as much as she would like. And this was too much even for many unseelie, as her mother was.

Lizzy stood up and walked over to her closet to pick out an evening robe. As she buttoned it she felt herself being called again. Not waiting for Síofra to gather her own overclothes she walked out of her door. As soon as she stepped foot into the hallway there was a chill, and a tug from her heart to the direction of the library. The night air and flickering candles only made it seem more surreal. She stood there in silence until she felt Síofra behind her.

"Do you feel that?" Elizabeth asked. Perhaps Síofra could sense it as well. But the other girl shook her head. She walked a few steps ahead of Elizabeth as if the change in position may help, but she then again shook her head.

"No, not a thing. How does it feel?"

"Like I will soon be pulled there by force if I do not go myself." As soon as she said this common sense seemed to return. Perhaps this was not the wisest of ideas after all.

Síofra had already made her her mind though and was back at her side. "Go on. Show me." She took her hand as if the connection would help her sense the magic.