Chapter Thirty-Seven

Violet and her group infiltrate the Archives after-hours to steal two ancient journals from King Tauri's secret collection. They successfully navigate past guards and dangerous wards, retrieve the books, and race against the closing of the main library doors to escape before being trapped inside.

The group descends into the Archives under cover of darkness, with Xaden disabling two guards blocking the hallway. They encounter powerful wards protecting a circular library containing historical texts. Aaric pulls Violet through the wards despite her protests, causing her severe nausea. Inside, they search through dozens of bookshelves and drawers for the two journals they need. Violet deduces the books must be hidden from light and discovers them beneath a velvet tablecloth covering a glass set into the center pedestal. When Aaric reaches through the wards guarding the books, blisters cover his hands. Violet places the journals in cream satchels provided by Jesinia. Aaric pulls Violet back through the wards—her hand becomes sticky with his blood. They flee the Archives as the main library doors begin closing automatically, triggered by bells marking each passing minute. Racing through hallways and down stairs, they sprint toward the exit. The door seals itself completely on the seventh bell; Xaden uses shadow magic to hold it open while pushing Violet and Imogen through, but Aaric's fate remains uncertain as the door continues closing.