The Arcane Rebellion- The Arcane Series #1

Chapter 24

Layla

Just shortly after Xavi left with Orin, I helped Amir and Uriah search the bookshelves in the common room. After we'd gathered all of the books about ancient texts we could find, I told the two to go through the books. Their immediate reply was to ask me where I was going.

I told them I was just going out to check out something, which wasn't a complete lie. I was actually going back to the House of Rosera to try and see if they knew anything about the text or ancient texts at all. I put on my coat and left the men, putting a revolver in the waistband of my trousers, a dagger in my belt and a smaller blade in my boot. Don't want to risk it.

I got my horse and made my way to the House of Rosera, fearing what I might find this time in the lobby.

The streets were surprisingly crowded today and it was a struggle to get through the sea of people with my horse. When I had got away from the crowds, I sent my horse into a gallop, finally making it to the House of Rosera. I tied my horse to a pole, entering the House of Rosera. This time, there were no guards in there and I definitely didn't expect to see what I was seeing in the lobby- there was some type of ritual going on.

The people were in white robes, with some type of runes or ancient text on their backs written in red. Was it blood? They were chanting something in a language I didn't understand, slowly swaying and raising their hands above their heads. I tried to see what- or who- they were surrounding. It was a naked couple on the floor, their limbs entwined. Then I noticed the blood. Their blood. Each one of them was holding a dagger in their hands, their hearts pierced, freely bleeding.

Slowly and quietly, I went over to Marian's office, knowing there must be something there. I tried opening the door but it was locked. As I was about to turn around to leave, I heard a yell behind me.

"Intruder! Get her!", someone yelled and I quickly turned around, looking at the sea of white before me, getting my revolver, pointing it at the crowd. None of them stopped, so I didn't know who to shoot.

"Stand down, everyone!", a voice spoke from above and I looked up, looking at Marian who was making her way down the elegant stairs. "Ah, young miss... Lavellan? Is it?", she said, coming towards me, patting my cheek when she came close enough. She made a disgusted face at my revolver, putting one finger on it and pointing it down to the floor.

"How-how do you know my name? I never told you it.", I asked her.

"Oh, my dear, it doesn't matter how I know your name. What matters is, what are you doing here?", she asked, a sweet yet creepy smile on her face.

"I need to ask you something.", I curtly replied.

She hummed in response, batting her eyelashes at me. I really wanted to punch her. "Well, let's go to my office then, shall we?", she said, walking past me and unlocking her office, gesturing for me to get inside. I warily walked in, flinching when she locked the door behind her. "Well. You had a question?", she asked, sitting down at her desk and I nodded in response.

"It concerns Morticia's artifact, the one you gave us after...", I trailed off, assuming she knew what I meant. She nodded. "It's not real.", I said.

She hummed, taking a second to think about it. "I'm afraid I didn't know that.", she replied but I didn't quite believe her. "What is your question, then?", she urged.

"What do you know about ancient texts?", I asked and she shook her head and shrugged.

"Not much, I must admit. We focus on the mind and the body rather than languages and texts.", she explained. 'We' probably meaning the cult.