The Secret of Spellshadow Manor 3 by Bella Forrest (i can read book club txt) 📕

arms almost comically, though Alex was in no mood for amusement. “What I’m saying is, I can’t always control what I do or how I do it—touch isn’t always easy, and sometimes I can overdo it, by accident. I know you won’t believe me, but I do not lie. If you knew what that book did, you would not be so quick to speak this way to me—you ungrateful little boy.” He paused, his inky teeth curled up in a grimace. “Well, when you’re no longer blinded by love, you’ll realize the mistake you have made. You’ll see—you will need me, Alex. You will need me.”

As Elias said the last four words, his figure became whole for just a moment, more human than Alex had ever seen the shadow-man’s form, before he disappeared in a snap of swirling black mist.

As Alex watched the space where Elias had been, he wondered where the shadow-man had gone. Had he gone back to Spellshadow, or was he still within the walls of Stillwater? Alex wasn’t sure if he’d ever find out, after that terse, cold ending.

Though he hated to admit it, Alex had a feeling Elias was right. It wasn’t a case of ‘will need’—Alex did need Elias. After all, without access to the Head or Elias’s books, Alex was back to square one as far as his heritage, his abilities, and his next move were concerned. Elias knew things. Elias had nudged Alex in the right direction, at every turn. Then there was Alex’s plan to see what he could do with the black bottles, and how to get the others home—the only one with access to that sort of information was Elias. The whys and hows of the schools and the magical world were all within Elias’s grasp; of that Alex was certain. They were not, however, within Alex’s grasp.

“I do need you… I hate that I do,” whispered Alex, feeling entirely alone in the empty, still library.

Chapter 16

Devoid of people, the library seemed more creepy than beautiful. Part of Alex wanted the shadowy shape of Elias to return, if only for some company. The route back toward the bell tower was foggy in his mind, and though the security of it tempted him, he knew he couldn’t simply run from the opportunity he had been given. All around him, row upon row of untapped knowledge met his eyes. Bitterly, he knew he had Elias to thank for this, yet again. Even if the shadow-man had ulterior motives, he still managed to put Alex on the right track.

The library was brimming with new information—knowledge that might not have been available at Spellshadow. Perhaps, Alex thought, noble mages were given more exciting things to learn. It would certainly account for their superior ability.

Staring down the walkway to make sure he truly was alone, Alex was surprised to see an enormous book at the end of the platform, opened atop a wooden lectern. He walked toward it, feeling a sense of familiarity as he realized what it was. From the size and well-thumbed pages, it could be none other than Stillwater House’s version of the Index, containing all the authors and titles of the books that filled the vast room.

Intrigued by the prospect of what lay within, his mind wondering about havens and Spellbreakers, much like the last time he stood in front of one of these, he decided to see if the Stillwater Index would be more forthcoming with information. Maybe it wasn’t just spells and advanced magic that the noble students had better access to, but history as well.

Heaving the pages to ‘H’ and ‘S’ respectively, Alex was pleasantly surprised to see there wasn’t just one or two, but many books on both subjects. Too many to read in just one evening, he thought wryly, wondering if he’d have another opportunity to come and absorb the library’s riches. No matter what happened, he knew he’d have to try. This place was a goldmine.

A curious thought came to him as he was tracing a finger down the dusty page, searching the list on Spellbreakers. Carefully, he lifted the Index pages until he reached the end of the ‘W’ section, hoping nobody heard the hefty slam as the weightier side fell back toward the plinth. His eyes ran down the browned page, until he saw the words he had been hoping to see: Leander Wyvern. He couldn’t believe it.

Is this why Elias led me here? he wondered.

Even when he wasn’t physically present, the shadow-guide was somehow helping. Hastily, Alex flipped back through the Index and tried to memorize as many of the numbers as he could, in order to check the stacks for the corresponding books. Fortunately, the system was much the same as in any library. Even in the magical world, books and libraries didn’t change.

Darting along the walkway and up to the top floor, he followed a short passageway down to the very back shelves and shuffled along a narrow set of bookcases before he found the number he was looking for. Half-expecting it to be gone, like the censored sections at Spellshadow, he couldn’t contain his excitement as his hand closed around the leather-bound spine. It was there. Bringing it down, cradling it in his hands, he brushed off a thick layer of dust as he read the title: Leander Wyvern, a Biography. A whole book dedicated to the man whose notebook Alex possessed. It was almost too good to be true. Alex flicked through the first few pages, making sure it wasn’t a hoax. To his delight, every page was filled with text. So far, so good.

Tucking it under his arm, he ran along walkways and climbed up and down ladders, in search of more. Adding to his collection, he picked up a book on havens entitled, rather helpfully, A Comprehensive Guide to the Havens, which seemed promising, followed by an entry entitled Spellbreaker Spells and How to Defend Against Them. Suddenly, the fact