Wa’ad closes her eyes to think, and the words under her skin start moving faster. It’s rude to stare, but goodness, she’s better than any TV program I’ve sat through. Five minutes later, she shakes her head. “I haven’t known any Keepers of the Between personally, but there was an entire section dedicated to them in the library.” It is obvious that the library she mentions is the only library that counts to her. “Is there something specific you would like to know?”

Taraana’s face lights up at her words. “Do you know how a keeper bonds to the Between?”

“Hmm,” Wa’ad says, her narrow lips pursing at the question. And once again, the words go in a frenzy around her body. She’s wearing a gray caftan that leaves her thin arms bare. The words converge in her palms as she opens her eyes again. A flicker of frustration sweeps across her face. “The Keepers of the Between were a recalcitrant lot, given to secrecy and suspicion. Their power afforded them that right. Though the library had many texts with many hypotheses about the process of bonding, we didn’t dare pin down a keeper to get a clear answer. All I know is that during the process, a keeper is remade. It is a physical transformation that makes it possible for the keeper to then use magic.” She bows her head. “I apologize for not being able to answer your question.” Even though she says that, there is very little emotion present in her tone.

Taraana seems to take her words pretty well. “I have one more question. May I ask it?” Wa’ad motions for him to continue. “How do I find a burning door in the Between?”

Wa’ad blinks and we’re subjected to another show of words racing around her body. The spectacle is both fascinating and creepy. “A door in the Between burns when the city it leads to is dying.” Oh. I guess that makes sense.

Wa’ad captures Taraana’s hand and I bare my teeth. Is she going to try to eat him or something? Instead of fulfilling any of my gory expectations, she says softly, “The Keepers of the Between are the ones who facilitate the conversion of the unrefined magic into forms middle worlders can use. Keepers of the Between usually control the flow of not just magic but also of middle worlders through the Between. The library documented their power well, and the middle world knew to treat them with respect. Things have changed a lot. My efforts to educate the current Magic Council on the importance of the Keepers of the Between have always been ignored.”

Taraana nods jerkily. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“You are welcome. Be safe,” she says, and drifts away from us to browse the books in the street library.