Page 147 of Infernal Secrets

“Like I said before, something about the book coming from the same place we did—if we’re the soul-and-heart nonsense.”

“I figured as much,” I said. “Our reign’s symbol wouldn’t be on the cover without some ties to our home.”

“She also said we’re meant to be here, and Raelynn wouldn’t have met us without the book’s interference.”

Zeke pushed the empty bowl away. “But why? Why are we here? Why does Raelynn need us?”

“She doesn’t need us,” Cyn said, irritation sharpening his tone, though he tried to mask it for Zeke’s sake. “Even Raelynn didn’t believe it. But the woman did give her a warning that made no sense whatsoever.”

“That is?”

He looked at me. “‘Beware the one who rules the ruby circle,’ or some shit like that.”

With restless energy, Zeke tapped on the counter. “What’s the ruby circle?”

“I’ve never heard of it,” Ash said.

I crossed my arms on the counter, parsing the information Cyn had pulled from the bookstore owner.

How she knew anything about us or our kind made me suspicious. No earthly being should know of our existence. Visiting the bookstore might prove problematic if whoever manipulated this situation also controlled the owner’s mind. Worse, if the owner was the one pulling the strings. If we approached her, what could that mean for Raelynn or our ability to return home?

I couldn’t risk destroying our ticket to go home.

I stood, collecting Zeke’s empty bowl. “At least this confirms the book’s Elyrdin origin and use of infernal magic, like we suspected. What we need to figure out now is how Raelynn manipulated it to bring us here without even realizing.”

“About that…”

After putting the bowl in the dishwasher, I straightened, eyeing Ash. “Yes?”

“Rae has a Zhyfri crystal.”

“She what?” Cyn shouted, and Zeke asked at the same time, “What? How?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t able to ask her because she was asleep.” He sighed. “It’s the pendant on the black cord around her neck. She keeps it tucked under her shirt, so I never noticed it before.”

“And you’re certain it’s a Zhyfri crystal and not a random black stone?”

“Positive.” Ash frowned. “It reacted to my touch,” he added in a whisper.

I flexed my fingers and tucked my hand into my pocket. “Why didn’t you say something when you discovered the crystal in her possession?”

“I was kind of preoccupied.”

“How?”

Cyn slapped the counter when Ash looked away. “You fucked her!”

Ash glared at him. “And so did you.”

“She tell you that?” Cyn set his jaw, crossing his arms. “She wanted it.”

“I’m aware.”

Zeke looked between them. “Why wouldn’t she want it?”

“Just making sure you’re all aware.”

“Because you kept threatening to fuck her,” Ash said, eyes narrowing.