It was spelled to the hilt and transported them here. It was our only option right now.

The Records were important, but I couldn’t overlook these lives. Gregori has also been taken care of, his mind caged in whatever prison Lucien has it.

Just as I’m about to tell everyone to move, another blast hits the Library. This one is different from the other attacks.

The barrier's power fluctuates back and forth. The Autariums magic wanes, its strength slightly weakened from that powerful last attack.

I turn to Cole and Jace, their eyes both watching the windows, my brows furrowed toward the waning barrier and eerie smoke outside.

“Maybe we should keep watch on the windows? In case the smoke eases up and we can get a clear look at what we’re dealing with again?” Cole gives me a curt nod before heading straight over to the windows at the front entrance in full Guard mode.

Jace gives me a small nod and slight glance again before heading over to the left side of the room, with Lucien slinking off to the opposite side.

I turn around to head back to the group when suddenly, a sharp pain runs through my chest and down my arms. I bend forward with the pain. My vision blurs, my head spinning, a wave of nausea halting my movement. Almost similar to the pain I had yesterday morning after completing my duty with the Records. This time it lasts much longer with more added pain.

Could this be a side effect of holding the Records? Was I reaching my limit already?

I grip the chair nearest me to steady myself as I calm my breathing and the black spots threatening to take me.

An uneasy feeling stretches its way through my body, like ants prickling at my skin. The pain slowly ebbs away, leaving me to fight the nausea and dizziness.

A cool hand gently settles on my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts, jade green eyes meeting my own as I stare into the worried expression on his face.

A huge difference from his usual haughty look.

“Are you okay?” Ilyric’s hand holds onto my shoulder as I stumble, trying to stand. His voice soft and eyes uneasy as he helps me steady myself.

“I thought you didn’t care about us lesser beings,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood and pull myself up straighter.

He slowly removes his hand with my movement, a dazed look in his eyes, as his stare lingers on the hand he had placed on my shoulder, a slight crease in his brows.

“I never thought of you as less…” He pauses, suddenly frowning, as he flickers his eyes toward me, a dazed look in them.

I open my mouth to ask him what he means when another quake shakes the building, testing the Autariums limits again and pulling us out of our thoughts.

We both turn to the barrier, watching as it shakes and trembles under the pressure of the attacks.