Page 142 of Eternal Surrender

“How do you know about those?” Alex asked.

“They’re just religious text,” I said.

Ingrid’s brow furrowed. “Wouldn’t a secret society have a safe place to keep their prized documents?”

“I’ve lived in this castle for over two hundred years,” Alex said. “I know every inch, intimately.”

“Jadeon told me that the Mount has a number of secret staircases,” Ingrid said.

On Alex’s nervous glance, I said, “Didn’t show them to you though.”

“Bet I could find them.” Ingrid grinned.

Marcus snapped his head round to look at Alex and smiled his way. “Inside voice, Alex.”

Alex shrugged. “I was merely going to suggest we stop wasting time.”

Ingrid moved over to the large bookcase to our left. “What’s behind there?”

“A wall,” Alex said.

“And you know that for sure?” Ingrid asked.

Marcus and Alex heaved the bookcase forward, their supernatural strength making easy work of it.

Alex peered behind. “Well, look at that!”

Ingrid peered at him suspiciously.

“A wall,” he said.

We all took a moment to let our disappointment settle. Ingrid wasn’t affected at all, as though she expected to fail, to find another way to the truth. As though clues to her were mere moments to grasp.

Sebastian reached for one of the books on the table. “We have to split up the rest of these.”

“Why not just go after Sovereign?” Anaïs asked.

“We must find Dominion first,” Marcus said. “That’s our priority.”

“Dominion will bring down Sovereign,” I added. “Fabian’s confirmed they’re responsible for the poisonings.”

Ingrid strolled over toward the bookcase and peeked behind it.

Marcus sat on the edge of the table. “I’ll use the network to send word out we’re looking for Dominion.”

“Slow down,” I said, “We don’t want to send him underground.”

“I’ve gathered all the books I considered relevant.” Sebastian leaned over the table. “One hundred, give or take. That’s twenty each.” He started stacking them into five piles.

Ingrid knelt close to a canvas leaning against the wall and turned it round, dusting it off. It was one of my discarded paintings of Alex that I’d never finished. Alex had become bored posing for it and walked off halfway through a sitting. I’d never found the time to revisit the canvas.

“Where are the other secret tunnels?” Anaïs sounded excited. “I’d love check out those.”

“Privileged information.” I winked at Alex.

Ingrid approached him. “You look just like your mother.” She raised an eyebrow. “Jadeon just like his father, but neither of you have his temperament.”

“Jadeon told you that?” Alex asked.