Tricked Out Turning Drastic (Star Keeper Series Book 2), page 37
Before he could bite down, Vahlta Hall's door opened wide and I was suddenly gone.
Chapter thirty-three
Finally , I heard footsteps.
The maddened pounding at the door hadn't abated.
The room was still blazing bright white.
Having counted several minutes as I contemplated the hourglass before me in front of my face, I continued my slow upside-down swing. A few books tittered here and there. Lady Silver had already zoomed off to the Keeper and then probably found something better to do. My helpful map floated upside down near my face and indicated someone was at the entrance.
"Would you like for me to get rid of him for you, Lady Trick?" Rescoven asked as he eventually made his way into the lower atrium. He peered up as I looked downward. He seemed his usual composed, scholarly self.
"Uhh, whach jusht hhappened was mutchual," I tried to clarify through a smooshed face. I assumed he was referring to the crazed K'Vroken trying to beat down the door. I also factored that when Resco mentioned 'get rid of', he alluded to an array of possibilities, one of which was death.
He would kill Krule for me if I wished.
Or try.
They both seemed pretty indestructible to me.
"I see. Well, I am pleased your vine intervened. You would do well to have a contract in place. Perhaps a different male suitor would be wise as this one seems," he tilted his head just slightly toward the door, "a modicum obsessed."
I snorted. Wriggling in the leafy cocoon that Robert had encased me in after having suddenly—blurringly—retracted me into Vahlta Hall, I struggled to get my face free. Gaining a few more inches, I spat out a silver bloom and the golden leaf that had been teasing me, and said, "What's the news in the city? Are the people safe? Did Theros prevail?"
He waved a hand as if those details were a tad last century. "Lord Theros has begun a civil war. Kudos, to you. Tonight he has won a key battle and the Hill has been evacuated of most Sahven High Houses. Even on the run, a Council writ has been drafted demanding your capture."
I blinked as I swayed. That…wasn't good. "And the citizens?" I eventually asked.
"Safe. I was able to evacuate the Grand Pavilion and my sentinel papers have assisted the Black Line a few times in protecting the lower from the Legion's ordered retribution. I believe the rebel and rejected group are free, as well, and," he remarked, "all your allies are currently protected, including your Nika." He spoke as though all this was according to a methodical plan.
Breathing out a sigh of relief after hearing his words, I began to realize my Celestial white light that had been further stoked via, ahem—desire, was thankfully beginning to dim. Vahlta Hall's normal, dark atmosphere was beginning to reemerge.
And then, since I had the time, I took a moment to really ponder the reality of tonight. I felt a twinge of defeat as I acknowledged I didn't succeed in getting Lord Theros a seat on the Council. My quirky, helpful ways failed—spectacularly so. I even burned another damn drongo quill in the process. And while I had intentions of ushering in gradual change for the better with Theros as an appointee, the method of delivery for this hopeful influence was naively based on outdated thought processes. I was relying too much on the human model of a democratic republic, where here, I needed to be willing to utilize more decapitating revolution. Even after my skahl veth, I still held a sliver of hope to affect change diplomatically.
Not anymore. Reluctantly, I learned my lesson.
I snorted. Rescoven knew all along what had been needed.
Shaking my head and about to ask another, this time non-exigent question regarding K'Vroken marks, Rescoven spoke up first.
"Lady Trick—"
"Trick." I smiled.
He nodded obligingly. "Trick, I would like to ask for your help on something—"
"Yes."
He paused a moment. "You haven't even heard what I am about to ask—"
"Yes."
He gave me a Resco look. "Perhaps it wise to hear me out first—"
"The answer is yes, regardless."
"You have no idea what I am asking and you should not be so willing to commit to a favor under the pressure of obligation," he stated as a long ear twitched.
"Damn it, Resco! I said yes to you—not some Sahven off the street! Now," I huffed half in irritation, half amusement, "what is it? What can I do to finally contribute to your dark palace here?"
Perhaps if Rescoven were capable of rolling his milky cataract eyes, he would have done so now. But since that wasn't in his Falk ability, he gave me a professor-like 'look' and then adjusted his spectacles just so. "I need a book. It is a particular volume deemed…apocryphal. It will take an intellect to find and it is rare. There is only one I know of."
Dots connecting, synapses firing, I began to slowly smile. "Where is it located?"
He gave me a look. He knew I pieced it together already. After all, why would he need my help? "It is nestled deep in K'Vroken lands. Its precise location will require further, on-ground investigation."
I was full-on grinning.
Over the hills and through the woods to grandmother's house we go…except grandma was an ancient K'Vroken manuscript located across the deadly, monster-filled waters of the Kla' Krashion ocean and her house was knee-deep in blacksmiths forging nix blades amongst Haell's most unstable anti-mahdra users grouped en masse—enough so that even Keeper Rescoven couldn't get his papery spells across.
Squirming with anticipation, I swayed in my, well, Robert's chastity cocoon that he had secured me in. Once again, the library was in shadow and the green hue of the hourglass cast my hanging form in its rolling, mysterious light.
"Can you let him in?" I asked. No need to clarify who I was referring to.
"Of course. You will need muscle to accompany you on this trip."
And just like that, I was going on an adventure.
About Author
Convinced her mind was born under a wandering star, Bridget Hawley spent her formative childhood years not brushing her hair and falling from trees. If not outdoors singing to the wind, she made a point to disappear and hunker in her grandparents' basement. With Ella Fitzgerald singing of "stars shining bright above", Bridget's thoughts drifted to far-off places as Katharine Hepburn's sultry eyes gazed down from the wall, Clark Gable played poker, and Steve McQueen flipped her the bird.
These days her hair remains unruly. Preferring a corner if inside, her mind will still wander and explore stories with humor, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and misfits driven by chaotic good. And if outside, Idaho's Rockies and high desert give her room to breathe and run with the people she loves most.
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THE STAR KEEPER SERIES:
Trip the Starlight Sarcastic
Bridget Hawley, Tricked Out Turning Drastic (Star Keeper Series Book 2)
