Dark Descent: The Arondight Codex - Book One by R Nicole (best books to read all time TXT) 📗

and received my punishment for leaving the Sanctum. Frowning, I wondered if it did that to everyone. It seemed insistent, like a toddler tugging at my trouser leg trying to get my attention, and the more I attempted to block it out, the worse it got.

Fine, I thought, storming off the roof and back inside, let’s see what you want, Codex. What’s one more indiscretion on the epic list that is my growing rap sheet.

Stopping in the main foyer, I glanced at the halberds on the wall, noting the one I’d used to cut down that lesser demon had been replaced. Overhead, the elaborate domed skylight let in the morning light, filling the space with dreary gloom. I stood amongst the black veiny marble on my own and for the first time, was able to approach the small metal plaque screwed into the wall and read the words etched there. Let there be Light amongst the Dark.

“Hey.” I turned at the sound of Romy’s voice. “What’s up?”

“I was on the roof.” I held up the book and shrugged. “I left it up there the other night. Luckily for me, it was still there.”

“It’s a little battered,” she said, her voice echoing off the marble.

“Symbolic, right?”

Romy laughed softly, glancing down the hall. “Listen, Scarlett, what you did… Well, it took real courage.”

“Actually, it was stupid.” I grimaced at the memory of rushing at the Balan like a fool. I had no chance, but I flung myself at him anyway.

“Maybe, but when you’re in the middle of a real fight… Well, the rules fly out the window.”

I nodded, knowing this time I’d gotten lucky. Without Wilder and Aldrich, I might be dead or worse—like stuck in a one-sided contract with the demon who may or may not have killed my parents.

“What are you up to now?” Romy asked, looking hopeful.

“I’m supposed to be training, but Wilder’s still sulking in the infirmary.”

“And you’re up there picking through rubble?”

I winked. “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

“You two are made for each other,” she said with a sigh, causing me to pale. “Two rebels in a pod, or however the saying goes.”

“It sounds like trouble if you ask me. If that’s the case, then I don’t know why Greer forced him to mentor me.” I glanced down the hall, the tug from the Codex becoming more earnest the longer I lingered. “I’ll see you later.”

“Oh, okay.” Romy offered me a little wave and we parted ways. “Hey, Scarlett?”

“Yeah?” I turned, surprised to see she was a little nervous. I wondered why that was? I should be the one grovelling at her feet.

“You want to get lunch later?”

I smiled, hugging the Codex against my chest. “Sure.”

Romy grinned and bounced on the balls of her feet. “Great.”

And with that, we were friends again. As I walked away, I hoped it was because I was a super cool person, not because I was the chick supposedly touched by Arondight. I was still hesitant to claim the title, no matter what Greer or Aldrich said.

The conservatory was empty when I arrived. Greer was likely someplace else, overseeing the repairs of the Sanctum. I crossed the room, my gaze locked onto the Codex, knowing I had time to figure out what was calling me here. I knew I should’ve just asked, but something about this felt personal.

I hesitated, throwing a look over my shoulder at the stairs. This was bad news. If I was caught in here, I’d be on probation for life. I tried to imagine being on permanent house arrest and I couldn’t fathom never going to TopShop ever again. I mean, there was online shopping, but somehow, I didn’t think the Sanctum had a post office box.

Circling the case, I couldn’t see where the opening was. Like the bars in the vaults downstairs, there were no joins or latches. Placing my palm against the glass, I wondered if I was supposed to know a secret password like open sesame.

Open, I thought. The glass rippled, then my hand passed straight through. I made a face, not believing the solution was so easy. Who would’ve thought the simple act of asking could work so well? I rolled my eyes at the irony.

The Codex shimmered as I stepped within, and I breathed deeply. The air tasted like popping candy. It was weird, but what wasn’t around here? The more appropriate question was, what was normal when everything was strange?

Pure of heart, I thought. Be pure of heart, Scarlett. It’s called to you for a reason.

It was hard to trust when everyone told you the magical book burned. I wondered what happened if someone unworthy tried to read the real thing? Greer said it was full of secrets only the worthy could read. Standing over it, I could feel the power that’d been woven through its pages for over a thousand years, but to me, it just looked like a fancy book in a museum.

“So, I’m here,” I whispered, my voice echoing back and forth against the glass. “What do you want to tell me, Codex?”

Naturally, it didn’t reply.

“So, it’s going to be like that, huh?” I wove my fingers together and cracked my knuckles. “Touch the dangerous book that might burn me from the inside out and don’t learn from my mistakes. Got it.”

I raised my hand, my stomach twisting in anticipation. My fingers shook as the Codex’s Light brushed against my skin, and it hummed, inviting me in.

This is what kidnappers do, I thought. They lure kids into the back of their creepy vans with sweets, then murder them. Don’t murder me, Codex.

The very tips of my fingers brushed against the page, but that was all it took for the Codex to drag me out of the present and shove me headfirst into a spiral of colour and sound. I spun, my breath tearing from my body, and then I saw it—a sword hung in the air before me and I tensed.

“Lady Lake person?” I called out in