Conquer the Darkness by Ivy Alexandra

Author:Ivy, Alexandra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Published: 2019-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Levet handed the book to Inga. It was tiny in her large hands, but there was something about it that made it appear bigger and heavier than it was. As if it was so important that it possessed its own aura.

He grimaced. Only a book with enormous power could do that.

“Can you read it?” he asked his companion.

Inga hesitated. She could obviously sense that it wasn’t an ordinary book. Then, squaring the impressive width of her shoulders, she started to flip through the pages.

Her heavy brow furrowed in confusion. “It’s a strange mishmash of languages.” She tilted the book so Levet could see the various glyphs that had been sketched on the fragile parchment. “Look. This is harpy,” she said. She turned to another page. “Here is troll.” She searched toward the back of the book. “And these hieroglyphs are human.”

Levet made a sound of surprise, pointing a claw at the flowing script with an elaborate border.

“That’s gargoyle.” He wrinkled his snout, barely capable of deciphering the words. “Really, really old gargoyle. I haven’t seen such formal writing for thousands of years.” Despite being a bunch of stodgy traditionalists, the language of the gargoyles had evolved over time. He lifted his head to meet Inga’s steady gaze. “Why would a book be written by different species?”

“I have no idea,” she admitted. “Maybe your vampire will have an explanation. You’re welcome to take it to him.”

“Non.”

Inga looked confused. “Isn’t that what you came here for?”

It was, of course. Okay, deep inside there’d been a secret, urgent desire to see Inga. But that was something he’d already decided not to ponder. Not when there was a more important reason for his need to visit this castle.

After all, Ulric—and more importantly, Rainn—were in extreme danger. Plus, the nasty fog was destroying the land. What if it spread? Not even demons wanted to live in a toxic dump.

“Oui, but the reason I was sent here was because the other books had been turned to Cinderellas,” he reminded her.

“Cinders,” she corrected in absent tones.

“Exactly.” Levet glanced around the small room. The layers of magic were a physical presence. “It is possible that removing the book from the protection of this space would leave it vulnerable to whatever destroyed the other copies.”

“You’re right,” Inga instantly agreed. Levet inwardly preened at her readiness to accept that he was more than just another pretty face. He had brains and talent and nutty skills. “I suppose I could bring the vampire here,” Inga continued, her tone reluctant. “But I need to warn my people. They’re still jittery after Tarak killed their king.”

Levet was puzzled. “I thought they were celebrating Riven’s death. He was a nasty fish-man.”

Inga gave an awkward shrug. The female might hate the previous king who’d used and abused her, but Levet sensed that she was still sensitive at the knowledge that his gruesome death at the hands of Tarak had led to her current position as queen.

It gave “climbing the corporate ladder” a whole new meaning.

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