The Chronicle of Secret Riven by Ronlyn Domingue

Author:Ronlyn Domingue
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Historical
ISBN: 9781451688917
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: 2013-12-31T13:00:00+00:00

– XXVI –

The Messenger Returns for the Arcane Manuscript

NOT LONG AFTER NIKOLAS’S PARTY, THAT SAME SUMMER BEFORE she turned fourteen, Secret anticipated the return of the messenger who had brought her mother the arcane manuscript.

In the months that had passed, Secret wondered what became of the text. The first weeks after it arrived, Zavet had entered one of the darkest periods Secret had ever witnessed. When the mood finally lifted and Zavet returned to her usual distant self, Secret never knew for certain whether the manuscript had any bearing on her mother’s behavior.

Secret’s initial fascination waned, too. She had scanned through Zavet’s logs and diaries and had also, when neither parent was home, made a quick search under beds, on bookshelves, and in the second- and third-floor storage rooms. The strange reaction Secret had had to the name in the manuscript, as well as Zavet’s deliberate secrecy, stirred her. But as her mother calmed, so had she.

Out of sight, out of mind.

One year since the arcane manuscript’s arrival, Secret was home from her botany class and was studying her notes in her room. She hoped she would be in the house on the day Bea returned so that she could find out the manuscript’s fate. She got her wish.

Sharp, efficient knocks announced a visitor at the front door. Secret leapt from her desk and waited at the second-floor landing. Two female voices caught her ear. She feigned the need for a snack and listened to their conversation as she filled a small bowl with cherries.

“The script bears no logical resemblance to any language family I know,” Zavet said.

“How interesting,” Bea said. “You haven’t a clue?”

“I’ve not had many moments to solve the puzzle,” Zavet said. “I apologize for the delay.”

Secret walked over to her mother, a cherry hidden in her mouth. Bea peered directly at her. The girl turned her face to the floor. When she looked up again, Bea was staring at Zavet’s eyes.

“If you haven’t the availability, or no longer wish to attempt the task, I can return the manuscript. Perhaps another translator can solve the mystery,” Bea said.

Zavet thrust backward as if she’d been slapped. Her face conveyed shock. Secret winced as though she’d felt a physical blow to her mother’s reputation. But the girl was mistaken.

“No—please. I wish to study it and discover its meaning. Please, give me more time,” Zavet said.

To Secret’s ears, her mother’s tone had been faintly desperate. Secret wondered if her mother had been presented with a language she couldn’t understand.

“Of course. There’s no intent to rush you,” Bea said. “No doubt, when the time is right, all will be revealed. Your reputation engenders considerable faith.”

Zavet, who always appeared to look around or through others, pierced Bea with a violet gaze, then turned her mouth as if unsatisfied. “Thank you,” she said.

Bea reached into a pocket of her huge satchel. She handed a small card to Zavet. “If you should complete the translation before I return again, you may send a note to this address.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.