Silver at Midnight: A Paranormal Romance Urban Fantasy (The Keepers of Knowledge Series Book 5) Bridgette O'Hare (ebook offline .txt) 📖

Ruman’s instructions, and the page flipped with ease. I lowered the pendant once more and had to look twice to make certain I was seeing it correctly.

The Kanna Stone.

Followed by a list of the powers and skills it could bestow upon the bearer.

This was certainly going to be useful.

I studied and memorized for what seemed like hours. Then I pulled Ruman away from the book he was reading.

“Ruman, sorry t’ interrupt. But I do have a question about this.”

He didn’t rise but prompted me to ask what was on my mind.

“Do you know where the Kanna Stone is located?”

“Yes and no,” he responded. “It was last said to have been hidden within the White Mountain range by an unknown Keeper of Knowledge. I do not know the era nor if it is still there.”

“Well, that’s something t’ go on, at least.”

The feathery sound of a chime echoed through the room. I peered around but couldn’t locate the source of the sound. “What was that?” I asked.

“That is the notification that your time here is up. It would seem you’ve acquired the knowledge you need.”

“Oh, well . . . okay. I guess I’ll see ya next time.”

“Possibly. If you are ever in need of information again. If not, it was quite the pleasure meeting you, Miss O’Cléirigh. Do take care of yourself.”

“It has definitely been interesting, Ruman. Oh, and before I go, just in case I don’t see you again, I preferred the leather DnD fashion statements. They’re more your style,” I grinned.

He chuckled. “I shall keep that in mind.”

“Now, how do I get out of here?”

“Just follow the hallway.”

Fourteen

The faint beeping sound of decryption software roused me from my nap. I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock over the fireplace, expecting to see that I had been asleep for a few hours. Instead, it had only been less than an hour which meant I still had plenty of time to read through the files Kara had sent before I needed to leave for dinner with Uncle Lachlan. I shut down the decryption software and opened the files to make sure everything I needed had downloaded.

While the dream was fresh in my mind, I grabbed a notebook and pen and started jotting down everything I could remember. Mostly, I didn't want to forget what I had learned about the Kanna Stone. Cian had not been exaggerating when he said I didn't understand even a fraction of the artifact’s capabilities. It was much more dangerous than anything I had expected. More than ever, I understood why keeping it out of the hands of The Saiad was so important.

Next, in large letters across the top of a clean page, I wrote the words Tartaros Blade. I needed to learn every morsel of intel I could about this artifact. What I wanted to know most was who had it . . . or at least, who’d had it last. That information was nearly as valuable to me as the location of the Kanna Stone. If someone had asked me, I couldn't have explained why saving Cian McCallister, someone I barely knew, was so important to me, but it was.

Having the files downloaded and at my disposal, I gathered my things, shoved them all into my backpack, and headed to the one place I knew that might hold the information I desperately needed. The Pyreshore Library.

But before I locked and protected the house, I shot a quick text to Kara. All it said was “Tartaros Blade. All the information you can get me. ASAP.”

She responded minutes later while I was walking to the car with three words: “I’m on it.”

I was fairly certain she actually meant Lazlo was on it, which was even better. If anyone could trace every detail in existence on an artifact, right down to whoever searched it last, it was him. And he could probably make it happen in twenty minutes flat. So, just enough time for me to get across town and settled in at the library.

As I cranked my car, I contemplated stopping by The Black Cat Café. It hadn't occurred to me earlier in the morning that the only way I could get in touch with Cian was in person. I knew he had a cell phone; he had shown me images on it. Why I hadn't considered exchanging numbers is beyond me. I guess I was a little too rattled. Watching someone die will do that to you.

Even though there was a shorter route, I drove past the Black Cat like the weirdo stalker I probably I was. And I drove slowly. You know, to really solidify that stalker vibe. However, Cian was not the one behind the bar. So, I continued to the library via the scenic route—past the farmers market and around the long way until I pulled into a parking space in front of the building. I had almost three hours of dedicated research time before I needed to meet Uncle Lachlan for dinner. I was going to need it.

The library looked eerily quiet in the orange glow of late afternoon. Judging by the two vehicles parked nearby, I would practically have the library to myself. When I pushed through the large green door, I noticed the welcome desk was, once again, void of a welcoming committee. I eyed the spiral staircase behind the large, abandoned counter. But knowing I needed to stay focused, I forced myself to walk down the hallway toward the research room. Admittedly, the few lives my curious cat had left really wanted to check out what was on the next floor. Mental note: another day.

The long hall of books was a comforting sight, almost like being back in Dublin. I thought of going straight for the card catalog that was still in place, as a backup, according to Nira Garrison. But considering I was on a time constraint, I went right for the digital system.

First, I typed The Kanna Stone into the system and