Hidden Dragon (The Treasure of Paragon Book 7) by Genevieve Jack (best ereader for manga txt) 📗

necessary to resurrect Maiara in Sedona poured out of her. The words ordered themselves before her.

“I’ve got it,” she said excitedly, then began to read. “‘With the help of Daluk of Niven, I Medea, Tanglewood witch and queen of Darnuith, bequeath my golden grimoire to the three foretold—’”

The words disappeared as Avery’s fingers slipped from the parchment, and she collapsed in a heap.

“Avery!” Raven ran to her and squatted by her side.

Clarissa cradled her head in her hands. “Are you okay?”

“Whatever spell the original Tanglewood witches put on that thing, it’s no joke. Neutralizing it is like drinking from a firehose. I can’t hold it for more than a few seconds.”

“It’s not just us then.” Leena seemed far less nervous now that the ancient scroll had proven tougher than it looked. She paused her writing to address them. “Everyone in my order tried to translate it before Colin convinced me to bring it here. Our strongest elven magic was useless against its enchantment. Odd, considering an elf was involved in its creation. Daluk of Niven was one of our high scribes in the Temple of the Sacred Pools. He passed into the promised wood several years ago.”

Avery plopped down on one of the benches and leaned back against the table as if she were seriously hungover. Raven supposed she needed a break. She walked to the back of the tent and poured the three of them glasses of the cold fruity beverage the island’s sprites had made. The stuff looked like lemonade but tasted faintly of coconut. She set the glasses down between her sisters.

“Thanks.” Avery selected one and took a sip, then gestured toward Leena. “Are you like a nun or something?”

Raven, who’d just brought her drink to her lips, almost spat it out. Leena didn’t give off a warm, ask-me-anything vibe. In fact, she seemed a bit aloof and seriously uncomfortable to be there. She hoped her sister’s abrupt question wouldn’t be considered rude. Across the table, Clarissa had also stopped drinking and was glancing between Avery and Leena nervously.

“I don’t know what a ‘none’ is,” Leena answered, frowning.

“Um, like, are you part of a religious order that protects these scrolls for your gods or something?” Avery pressed.

Leena’s previously confused expression cleared. “Yes. The Order of Sacred Pools was established by the goddess of the mountain to record the history of her world. A faction of the elves, my people, have performed this sacred duty for millennia. I am honored to have been called into her service.”

Avery swiped a thumb over her lips. “So, you, um, devote your life to recording history? How does that work?”

Leena set her scroll aside and tangled her fingers over her knee. “Normally we never leave the temple. Our magic allows us to see events occurring around Ouros by gazing into the sacred pools. It is said that the deep indentations in the limestone are filled with the goddess’s own tears, cried when Zeus exiled her to this island realm. We watch and we write down what we see in ancient Elvish. That is why this scroll is so strange. None of the other scrolls are protected like this. There is no need. No one but our order knows how to read ancient Elvish.”

“How did you end up with Colin?” Clarissa asked. Both Raven and Avery turned around to look at her. “What?” she whispered, turning up her palms. “Just making conversation.”

A blush stained Leena’s cheeks. Raven scratched her forehead to conceal her lifted eyebrow.

“Colin came to Rogos two years ago on a mission to convince the elven high council to support the rebellion. Our leaders have always remained neutral, even during the uprising led by the witch queen. Our kingdom refused to take sides then or now. We’ve never participated in a war.”

“I get it. You’re Switzerland,” Clarissa said, nodding.

“What is Switzerland?” Leena narrowed her eyes.

“Never mind. Something from Earth. Please… continue.” Raven gave Clarissa side-eye.

“Although Lord Niall refused to discuss supporting the rebellion, he allowed Colin his wish to live and work among my people. The truth was, no elf would ever turn down free dragon labor. He’d worked for months, silently speaking his truth while winning over the locals with his tireless efforts. At first no one believed him. The elves were certain that Eleanor only wanted coordination of the kingdoms. But over time, things that Colin predicted came true. The execution of Brynhoff being one, skyrocketing taxes, and then the raids. About a month ago, Eleanor approached our High Lord, Niall, and told him that the future was a united Ouros. She pressured him to relinquish Rogos to her rule. He refused.

“After that, the Lord Niall insisted our archers begin training. Rogos has always had an army, but until recently, we’ve only practiced defensive maneuvers. Lord Niall ordered our military to increase its efforts and prepare for a potential attack. I am here because I and a small contingent of my kind believe that Eleanor will stop at nothing until she controls all five kingdoms, including Rogos. I received special permission from my Quanling to accompany Colin here. This was the only way that the scroll could be removed from the temple.”

“Quanling?” Raven asked. She’d never heard the term.

“Like a mother figure to women who enter the order. Male scribes answer to the Fratern. The Quanling and the Fratern are our leaders and serve on the High Lord’s royal court along with leaders of the wood elves and the desert dwellers.”

“So when you’re done, you’ll just go back?” Clarissa asked. “I must have been mistaken. It seemed like you and Colin—”

Raven glared at her. Now she was getting far too personal.

Although Leena’s expression didn’t change dramatically, Raven caught a hint of sadness in the tilt of her shoulders. “Yes, I’ll return when my work here is done. I’ve sworn an oath to the temple.”

Avery glanced at the scroll again, her shoulders sagging. “Which means if you ever want to get home, we need to figure this out.”

“Well, what we’re