Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Twelve

"Why do the rooms look so big when they are circular?" I asked as we crossed to what I imagined would be the far left side if the room were square.

"Mind tricks," Zach said, shrugging. When we reached the shelves, he smirked and put his hand on the middle rows' spines. "Besides, it hides what people don't think to look for."

The shelf swung inwards, opening to a pre-lit alcove, the lighting yellow and just bright enough to read by. A chaise lounger was in the middle, a throw blanket on its back and more walls filled with volumes.

Once we stepped inside the square hideout Zach pointed to the right-hand corner beside the door. "There are a few rooms like this around the library. This one holds the most important book."

"That's the problem..."

"Yes." Zach gestured to the book on its top. "And that's the book."

"But... We weren't in this room when I read from it before."

"It was a dream, Nora." Zach straightened and crossed his arms. "My energy was too limited to create a portal to bring you here, so I used what I had to bring what I could to you."

"You can do that?"

"Well, you read from the book and restored your memories, right? I'd say it worked."

"I mean create a portal."

"Oh. That. Yes." He nodded. "I can do it if I'm well enough to use the part of me that is connected to the Kingdom—or my heritage from my father—as the Creators fuel it and have similar sources of power. I was using all of what I had available to recover."

"Can I do that?"

"I don't see why not. You descend from the Creators, even if it is diluted."

"Huh." I cleared my throat an took a step backwards. "So what am I supposed to read?"

"This." Zach pointed to the book on the podium.

"I thought it only let you read what you need."

"Yes, but only when you are in need," he said. "In urgent situations, it guides you. Otherwise, you can read it at will. You can—and are expected to—add to it."

"A family grimoire."

"Yes. Going back to the Creators."

"That sounds... brittle." I glanced at the book and then at Zach. "You want me to read it?"

"Yes. It will help teach you."

"I could wreck it."

"In a world of magic?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's a valid concern."

Zach raised an eyebrow and smirked at me. "The book has its own ability to help you. I'm sure it won't allow you to ruin it."

With a sigh, I stepped over and put my hand on the cover. "There. Can't it just teach me through osmosis and save us time? I could go read in the gazebo."

"You can always do that."

"I don't want to miss an update on Trevor." I started pulling my hand back and the cuff at my wrist caught the corner of the cover.

Instead of knocking the grimoire to the floor, the leather cover lifted, pulling up. I quickly unhooked it, feeling a moment of shock. I'd been joking. The wave of dread over the horrible accident settled to smooth waters as the cover realigned and sealed itself back to the way it was.

"See?" Zach laughed. "That cover is only one of many."

"Like the statues?"

"Sort of. But each cover layers over the last instead of making room for it. I like to think it symbolizes the cumulative wisdom of the generations."