Lightlark by Alex Aster

Author:Alex Aster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2022-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

THE ABBEY

Isla was more convinced than ever that the Wildling vault held something she could use to find the bondbreaker. Or help her in some other critical way.

And if anyone on the island would know the secret to opening it, it was Juniper.

She walked into his bar the very next day. It was empty, save for a man sitting at the back corner, hat over his face, as if he was napping in the pub, waiting for the livelier evening crowd.

“My favorite Wildling,” Juniper said from behind the bar. He wrung his hands together. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Isla needed to make this quick. Hopefully no one had spotted her entering the pub, and she wanted to keep it that way. “Moonling nobles attempted to assassinate me.” There. That was her secret.

Juniper’s head reared back, as if this news surprised even him. “What information do you seek?”

She leaned in closer. “The ancient Wildling palace on Wild Isle. What do you know about it?”

He pursed his lips. “Admittedly, not much. Is there something specific you’re wondering about?”

“Is there something hidden inside? If so, would you know how to find it?”

Juniper frowned. His brow creased. It seemed he wasn’t used to not knowing about a subject. Isla had to admit it was a long shot. Wildlings hadn’t lived on Lightlark for hundreds of years. She doubted most islanders knew the palace even still stood, if its abandoned state was any indication. “I apologize, Ruler. I have never heard of something hidden inside the Wildling palace. From my understanding, anything of value was looted long ago.”

Isla nodded sharply. She had known the chances were low that anyone knew about the vault. Her secret would have to be used another time, for another sort of information. She made to leave, but Juniper spoke once more.

“I do know something about the Place of Mirrors, however.”

She sat down again. Juniper had used the castle’s name, the same one Grim had told her. “What is it?”

“The Place of Mirrors is the only place on the island where all powers other than Wildling’s are repressed. Only Wildling ability works inside.”

What?

Only powerful enchantment could do such a thing. She didn’t even know ability like that existed. Something in the vault must be responsible.

It wasn’t the information she was looking for, but it was enough to make Isla desperate to know what was behind the door.

And more positive that whatever it was could help her now.

Isla walked back out into the agora with more questions than answers. A storm was on the horizon. The sky above was filled with dark clouds like a pack of wolves circling, gray fur and all. They seemed to mimic her troubled mind.

“How do you think that dress would fare in the rain?”

Grim. He was leaning against the outside of the bar, waiting for her.

She blinked. “Are you following me?”

Going from completely avoiding her to trailing her . . . it made no sense. What had changed?

What was he after?

Grim raised an eyebrow.

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