rgrown alleys that led to the hidden library. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional sound of

eyes darting around for any sign of trouble. Rowan f

e is safe?" Rowan asked

. "Safe enough. If Valerian's people knew

k convinced, but

m the dozens of others they had passed. Its windows were shattered, a

n asked, skepticis

felt along the wall until her fingers found a hidden switch. With a faint click, a s

wan muttered as

alls. At the bottom of the staircase, they entered a cavernous room lined with ancient book

ble," Rowan said, his

rd one of the shelves, scanning the spines of the boo

ingers brushing against the dusty cove

an's family," Cassandra said. "There has to be some

es. Cassandra's frustration grew with each book she discarded. Most of them were useless-records of old

ed it and immediately felt a chill run down her spine. The pages were filled with intric

act," she

nd?" Rowan asked

page she had turned to. "It's all here. The

s is impossible. If this is true, then Valerian doesn'

s like," Cassandra s

tween realms and bend the natural order to the wielder's will. But it also spoke of

nds on this," Rowan said, hi

Julian's working with him, it's only a m

oed through the library, follo

Cassandra said,

his expression hardeni

nto her bag alongside the artifact. "And we mak

the walls. Cassandra and Rowan took up defensive positions

dressed in black with a mask covering his face. He

ide, her blade cutting through his armor. He staggere

he attacker's chest. The man collapsed with a

coordinated and deadly. Cassandra and Rowan fought

s, her mind racing. They were outnumbered, and the longer they fought, t

d out. "We need to

another attacker befor

ll vial of explosive powder. She threw it at the fl

abbing Rowan's arm and pull

pursuers echoing behind them. Once they were outside, Cassandra t

for long," Rowan sai

Cassandra said. "We ju

artifact safely in Cassandra's bag. But as the

no matter how many lives it cost. And Julian's bet