When Shadow strode away, I tried not to pout at the ten feet between us. I was needy, but whatever. After everything we’d been through, it’d be weird not to be a little attached. At least I could still see him as he lifted both hands, the burst of power that left him so strong, it sent all three of us sliding across the floor. I almost went through the portal into the lair again, but just as I was about to, Shadow’s head snapped in my direction, and his wicked smile had my panties drowning.

His energy wrapped around me and I stopped moving, once again caught up in the force of the Shadow Beast. His fire followed that blast of energy and then an inky darkness seeped from his skin. Fire, energy, and literal shadows surrounded us, and it was like the start of a bad joke because I had no idea what else was about to walk into the room.

At least I felt safe enough wrapped in Shadow’s power, even if it was a dick move to lock me down again. “What’s happening?” Sam whispered. “Why aren’t you moving?”

I could still talk, thankfully. “Shadow is feeling a little possessive right now,” I said dryly. “He’s not really allowing me far from his hold.”

She looked between us again, her lips trembling as she tried not to laugh. “Sounds like fun. Do you actually know what he’s doing over there?”

“He’s repairing the library,” Gaster said.

Sam gasped and clapped her hands. “I understood you.”

Gaster’s smile was broad. “Oh, that’s wonderful news. The universal translator is back in effect. Hopefully, the rest can be returned as easily.”

I would have crossed my fingers if I could manage to move my hands. Of course, I could have fought against his hold, but it wasn’t worth interrupting such an important task just to exert my dominance. Returning the Library of Knowledge to its former glory was essential to the well-being of my soul.

“What were you trying to tell me before?” Sam asked Gaster, excited to freely be able to communicate with him. “It felt super important, and there was no time to run into the dining hall to find out.”

Gaster’s smile was gentle. “You were stacking Faerie history with Valdor history, and I didn’t want to hurt your feelings by undoing all your work. I was trying to show you the marks on the books. That’s how we catalog them for the shelves.

Sam blinked at him. “But your face was so serious…”

Gaster nodded. “Oh, yes, knowledge is the most sacred of gifts we possess. It must be treated with the sort of reverence that speaks of its importance.”

When her wide eyes turned in my direction, I was trying to hide my smile. “He’s into books,” I said cheekily.