Mages of Rubia ✔️

Ch6

Lief tells me everything he learned. And of course, he's plotting to break into the Hall of Elders and get his books back.

I'm more worried about the way beastons are connected to his people. Inhuman beings live among them. And Lief has unnatural abilities. He doesn't even seem to realize his abnormalities.

The way he can climb on the ceiling, the way his fingers end in calloused nails that look like the dulled claws of a domesticated dog, the way his eyes glow... he doesn't know that such things are abnormal.

And I don't know how to tell him they are. Perhaps the beastons come because of mages in particular? Because I've seen many people in the colony, and none of them are like him.

"How am I going to pull this off? I can't exactly just... walk in there. I don't even know where the storage room is. We need reconaissance."

"Why is this so important?" I ask.

"They're restricting my knowledge! Trying to keep me complacent. I'm not some dog they can use to guard their flocks. I'm a human being!"

I'm tempted to ask if he's sure about that.

"Perhaps you should rest. You must be drained from your ritual."

He groans. "I'm not! There are far more important things. Something here is wrong. There's something being deliberately hidden, and I don't want any part in it. I want it to be out in the open."

I blink, and take one of his gloved hands tightly. "Calm. Rest for now. I'll help you find the room if I can, tomorrow."

He pulls his hand away from me. "Fine. I may not need your help, if Ravana visits my dreams."

I'm beginning to suspect his patron has some sinister intent.

-

When Lief wakes, much earlier than usual, the first thing he does is reach for a book and scrawl down a map. He gives me a considering look.

"You think my pursuit of these books is foolishness."

"I don't. I only need you to know it's dangerous. You promised Rose you would be safe."

He ignores me, changing his clothing without any regard for me at all. I examine him for other inhuman attributes. Usually I just avert my gaze. It's embarrassing.

"What's that bite mark from?" I ask as I spot a distinct mark on his shoulder.

He puts a hand over it. "Nothing that concerns you."

"That doesn't affect how concerned I am. It looks almost human."

"I haven't any time to explain this to you. But I see the way your mind is heading, it isn't sexual."

I feel my cheeks going red. "I-I wasn't--"

He pulls on his clothing. "Aza, I've been around you enough to know when you're thinking something ridiculous like that. But really, the idea of me having sex is novel. Even more ridiculous than a flying pig."

I don't know what to say as he turns around, looking totally unbothered. He ignores me, graciously, and starts heading down to the library. I follow quickly.

"Are you going to help me?" he asks.

I nod. Of course I am. What else could I do? I don't want him getting, like, executed or something.

"Alright, then you need to know the plan."

I nod again.

"So, I'm going to go in there and try to access the books. I'm going to trade them out with books that aren't important, stacked over there," he gestures to a haphazard pile of books, "and what I need from you is a watchman. You stand in the vicinity of the door and if anyone comes along you have to say something."