Anna Peregrine--Library of Souls

Chapter Twelve

We were sent towards the pale tower of the wights' base, and I was struggling in silence, almost crying as my mother begged her brothers to reconsider their plan.

"Remember the old stories of Abaton, and the ignominious end that came to every peculiar whole stole the library's souls! Its power is cursed!" Mum said.

Despite everything, it was clear she did not want them getting hurt. It was clear that once upon a peculiar time, they all loved each other. And it was very clear that I had been born into the wrong time period.

"I'm not a child anymore, Alma, and I'm no longer frightened by old Ymbrynes' tales. Now hold your tongue. That is, if you want to keep it!" Caul said.

Mum looked back at all of us over the shoulder of PT, showing strength still through her face. God, she had so much strength in her despite everything. I wish I could be like that.

We came to a large door at the top of the tower. Caul stood, beaming at the door before calling, "Perplexus! Signor Anomalous--yes, there in the back! Since I owe this discovery in art to your expeditions and hard work--credit where credit is due! I think you should do the honors and open the door."

"Come now, we've no time for ceremony," Bentham said. "We've left your compound unguarded . . ."

"Don't be such a ninny-willow. This won't take but a moment."

Perplexus was dragged to the door by one of the guards. He had aged severely, and I started getting worried for him. The great cartographer went to open before going into a coughing fit. Once he regained his breath, he turned towards my eldest uncle, taking in a lungful of air before spitting a wad of phlegm onto Caul's cloak.

"You are an ignorant pig!" Perplexus cried.

Caul raised the pistol to this great man's head, and pulled the trigger. Many people screamed as Bentham yelled, "Jack, don't!"

Perplexus threw up his hands and spun away, but the gun only made a click. My uncle opened the gun and looked into the chamber before saying, "It's an antique, like yourself. I suppose fate has intervened on your behalf. Just as well--I'd rather watch you turn to dust than bleed to death."

Caul motioned towards the guards to take Perplexus back. The cartographer muttered oaths towards my uncle in Italian.

Caul turned towards the door, "Oh, to hell with it. Get in there, all of you!"

We were all marched into a gray-walled room. I started getting scared, wishing I could hide with my mother, but she was out of reach. I once again felt like a scared peculiar child, the one that had nightmares about the hollows and wights every night and would only be soothed by her mother who would sing ancient peculiar lullabies.

And then we were marched into a very hot dry day, clearly crossing into a loop. There was a high landscape that looked alien. There was a tower in the distance, and the wind blew past us, making a human-sounding moan.

Bentham climbed down from PT, "So this is the place."

Caul threw an arm over his younger brother's shoulders, "I told you this day would come. We certainly put each other through hell getting here, didn't we?"

"We did." "But I say all's well that ends well, because now I get to do this," Caul turned towards us. "Friends! Ymbrynes! Peculiar children! Today will go down in history. Welcome to Abaton!" He waited for an applause that never came. "You're standing now in the ancient city that once protected the Library of Souls. Until recently, it hadn't been seen in over four hundred years, nor conquered in a thousand--until I rediscovered it! Now, with you as my witnesses . . ." He looked down and laughed. "Why am I wasting my breath? You philistines will never appreciate the gravity of my achievement. Look at you--like donkeys contemplating the Sistine Chapel!" He patted Bentham on the arm. "Come on, brother. Let's go and take what's ours."