“Then how did it get cursed? And with what?” I clenched my fist, resisting the urge to touch it. It was hard, though. The darkness in the stones called to me.
But I don’t want to be that person.
I turned from the wall.
“We can get ourselves to Eve,” Mac said. “But we need you to figure out what’s going on. Are you okay here alone?”
“Yeah. Fine.” I stepped away from the wall, hoping to fight its fascination. The weight of my bag pulled at my shoulder, the book reminding me of its presence. “Seraphia, have you found anything else about this in the library?”
“Nothing. I checked the entire history section, too, hoping to find a clue about the missing pages.”
I nodded. “Okay. I know someone to ask.”
Mac’s gaze flicked to mine. “The Devil?”
Seraphia’s eyes widened. “The Devil of Darkvale?”
I nodded. “He’s immortal and helped found Guild City. He’s the only one I know who was around when any of this happened. Surely he has to know what is going on here.”
Seraphia nodded, but her tone was clipped with wariness. “If you say so.”
“Come on, pal.” Mac reached a supporting arm around Seraphia. “You’re looking pretty pale. We need to get you to Eve.”
“Thanks.” Seraphia shot Mac a grateful look, as if she were unused to such kindness.
“Update me as soon as Eve helps you,” I said.
“Likewise,” Mac said. “I want to know what the hell is going on here.”
I nodded, watching them turn and limp across the grassy square. At one point, they fell to their knees, and fear surged through me, blocking my throat.
This could kill them.
The wall still pulled at me. Everything in my soul wanted me to turn around and press my entire body against it.
Nope.
The sight of Mac and Seraphia dragging themselves to their feet gave me the strength to resist. I kept my gaze on the two women for support as I followed them away from the overgrown square. Exiting the dingy alley, I made for t
he Devil’s tower. Grey’s tower, as I now thought of it.
It had been three days since I’d appeared before the council with Grey at my side. Three days since I’d seen him, but I had a problem, a big problem that I didn’t fully understand.
And I was going to bring that problem straight to the devil himself.
3
Carrow
The journey to Grey’s tower was a blur. People thronged the streets, shopping or out for lunch, but the wall and the curse surrounding it were the only things on my mind.
We’d just saved Guild City from a deadly threat. Was I now going to have to save my friends from another one?
I wasn’t sure I was up for the job.
But I had to be.
Finally, I reached the clearing in front of Grey’s tall, dark tower. Powerful and mysterious, Grey had been here since the city was founded. He owned his own tower, the only individual who could make that claim. The black stone was imposing, and the red glass in the windows emphasized that this was the Devil’s lair.