Once they reached the privacy of the cottage, Jack could sense Kleo’s anxiety.

  “I don’t know how I feel about this. Rugr made things more complicated.”

  Jack considered this. Although Will and Maya's arrival was a surprise, he was starting to feel that being able to rely on their experience was a positive thing.

  “Speaking for myself, I can learn from Will. I never had any real guidance growing up.”

  He knew he had missed what was troubling her when she didn't respond.

  “Rugr is trying to protect you.”

  The shift in her posture told him he had found the mark.

  “I know,” she said, “but part of me resents that he feels like he has to.”

  Jack decided not to respond. Her relationship with Rugr was complicated. He would let her find her way through what was troubling her by listening.

  “Rugr still sees me as that little girl trapped in a gilded cage inside Astiria. I’m free of all that, and I’m not going back. I can handle myself. He can’t see that because he’s not here.”

  Jack wasn’t sure what Rugr’s motivations were. He had his reasons for feeling uneasy about the man. There was one thing he was sure of: Rugr cared about Kleo.

  “It seems obvious he couldn’t be here, so he sent Will and Maya. People he thought could help. It might have been the best he could do—or the least. I don’t know.”

  She sighed, and he took it as a sign of acceptance.

  "I suspect Rugr recruited Will, knowing Maya would follow once he mentioned Kull magic—he's good at getting what he wants.”

  Jack nodded. "Maya seemed shocked when I mentioned having Kull magic."

  "We all were. Let's be more careful about revealing that to strangers."

  Jack's face scrunched in regret. "Yeah. I got that from your reaction."

  A faint smirk played across Kleo's face. "We need to make sure the brothers keep quiet about it."

  Jack nodded. "I can handle that.”

  “Will and Maya, do you trust them? They seem decent enough."

  Kleo turned to face him. "I trust Rugr. And Rugr trusts them. So, in a roundabout way, I don't not trust them."

  Jack squinted. "Wait... so do you trust them or not?"

  "It means I trust them enough for now. Whether that trust grows or withers depends on their actions going forward."

  "How do we know Rugr sent them?"

  Kleo closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "That exchange about stone fruits and climbing trees? It was a code, Jack. Only Rugr and I know the right questions and responses."

  "Oh," Jack said, drawing out the word.

  Jack frowned. "Should we leave them behind?"

  "No. Rugr knows what he's doing. I trust him, and you should, too. We'll travel with them if they agree to head south—Maya's knowledge of ancient magic could prove valuable."

  Jack hesitated, then muttered, “If I remember correctly, Rugr planned to kill me.”

  Kleo sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

  "There was never a plan to—" She stopped herself. "Look, can we not do this right now? We need to focus on getting ready. I have to share some fundraising ideas with the brothers. They can’t afford to stay at the abbey unless they have income. We owe them that much."

  “"Fine. What do you need me to do?"

  "You should start packing. We need provisions, so talk to Bart. You’ll need to fill the water skins, and last but not least, help Bart and Thol drag Morghadus's remains to the goat pit."

  Jack groaned. "Ugh. That thing reeks. You’ll need to give me another bath after that.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up.”

  “Fine. Are you sure you don't want to help? We can make it a ceremony to commemorate your triumph."

  "Hard pass." Kleo grimaced, and they both laughed.

  Kleo found Maya in Antonio's office, standing before a precariously tilting wall of books. The shelves sagged beneath their burden, and even the lightest touch drew a faint creak from the straining wood. Maya's fingers traced the spines delicately as she examined them, her expression caught between curiosity and unease.

  Kleo gave a soft knock on the doorframe. "Careful—that whole thing looks ready to collapse."

  Maya turned, letting out a soft laugh. "I was just thinking that. I hold my breath every time I touch one."

  Maya extracted a book from the shelves. "Most of these are worthless," she said, setting the volume down with a sigh. "Pure fantasy. But I did find a few that might interest you."

  She gestured to a small stack on the desk.

  Kleo examined the pile—three books, all worn but their bindings intact. She ran her fingers over the titles. "I've already read Kilgore's Summoning Incantations Volume I, but I'll take the other two."

  Maya arched an eyebrow, masking her surprise. "Impressive. Few people your age would even attempt Kilgore—let alone finish it."

  Kleo shrugged. "Another gift from Rugr. Not exactly bedtime reading, but I had plenty of time to study it."

  “I see.”

  She's well-read, Maya mused, and far more self-possessed than I expected.

  Kleo set the books aside. "If you come across anything else worthwhile, let me know. I will have Bart and Thol sell whatever’s left—the abbey could use the funds."

  Maya glanced back at the shelves. "They might find some luck selling in Midena, though they’ll fetch better prices in Ilimar."

  "I'll let them know. I don't want them struggling now that Antonio's dead."

  Maya's expression grew serious. "Technically, Morghadus killed him. That's not on you."

  Kleo's jaw tightened as she cast a sweeping glance around the room.

  "Morghadus wouldn't have been summoned without me. For all his efforts"—she gestured at the cluttered workspace—"Antonio would never have gathered the knowledge to complete the summoning. I gave him all the missing pieces."

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  Maya's eyes lingered on Kleo, her initial assumptions about the young woman dissolving. Not naive, Maya thought. Reckless. And very dangerous.

  Kleo stood for a moment, taking in Maya. She was curious about her Elven ancestry, having only read about Elves, never actually having met one. It was probably not an appropriate subject to ask about. So, what’s with the pointed ears?

  "I assume you're here because Rugr told you about my access to ancient magic? And after Jack's little blurt bomb this morning, you know about his abilities."

  Maya pursed her lips, unsure of Kleo's trust. She wanted to tread carefully, and honesty seemed like the best approach.

  "True. When Rugr told me, I had my doubts. It seemed impossible—I needed to see it for myself."

  Unable to read Kleo's expression, Maya continued.

  "I've studied and written about Kull magic extensively, but there are no known practitioners—it's a lost art. Though rumors occasionally surface about someone in a remote village having the gift, neither I nor any other experts have ever met such a person."

  “Now, in a single morning, I’ve met two people who claim to have the gift. Whether that’s true remains to be seen, but I have no reason to doubt you. I’d be skeptical of Jack if he weren’t bonded with you.”

  Kleo smiled. Being skeptical of Jack was easy, but people who underestimated him would learn their mistake the hard way.

  "Are you here to study me or help me develop?"

  Maya sensed a sharp edge in this question—Kleo was skeptical of her. Touché.

  "It's a bit of both, to be honest. I told Will during our journey that while I know more than most about this subject, the idea of teaching a real practitioner is intimidating. But here's what I can offer: I'll provide guidance and support, and in exchange, you'll share your experiences with me so I can adapt my teaching."

  “So you're not going to teach me how to conjure a wall of protection from the very fabric of the universe?”

  “No. Sorry about that. I’m going to teach you how to teach yourself. It’s the best I can do.”

  "Yeah, I figured as much," Kleo said, accepting that the path ahead wouldn't be simple. "That works for me. We'll need to arrange time to work together. I assume you're ready to begin whenever we can manage it?"

  Maya offered a slight bow. "At your service."

  Kleo and Maya stood off to the side, watching as the men hauled the charred remains of Morghadus toward the goat pit. A blackened husk was all that remained of the demon. Its body was secured with ropes, and as they dragged it across the ground, a trail of black-gray ash streaked behind them, occasional chunks falling away, remnants that could easily be mistaken for lumps of coal.

  Jack claimed the only surviving fragment, one of the demon’s massive black fangs, as a trophy.

  Upon discovering it amongst the char and ash, he broke into an impromptu happy dance. Kleo and the others joined in, laughing. It was a brief moment of reprieve on a day when she felt no bend, only break. Seeing Jack thrilled brought her genuine joy—he'd earned this victory. But that was yesterday, and today, her urgent need to go south was pushing her anxiety to eleven.

  “You and Jack seem made for each other,” Maya remarked, her voice warm. “I’d love to hear how you two met. Maybe we can share stories while we travel.”

  Kleo blushed. “I’d like that. Jack is… special. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s kind, funny, and when I need him to be serious, he usually gets there—right before I have to whack him on the head.”

  Maya laughed. “That part never changes. I still have to whack William on the head more than I'd like.”

  “Can I ask,” Kleo began, hesitating, “why you call him William?”

  Maya gave her a knowing look. “Because it annoys him. Also, If I called him Will, it would feel too familiar, and…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “He’d forget we aren’t on familiar terms right now.”

  Kleo wasn’t sure how to respond and nodded. “Oh.”

  Maya's voice softened. "Don't worry, dear. Things will work themselves out. He and I have been through a difficult stretch. When we have a quiet moment alone, I'll tell you everything. You'll find some parts of the story quite familiar."

  Although Maya’s meaning wasn’t clear, she appreciated the offer and decided to wait until she felt ready to share more.

  When they reached the goat pit, the men erupted in curses—the demon's remains were too large to fit into the hole. Will instructed them to step back and drew his long sword. He set to work, cutting the charred husk into more manageable chunks.

  Black ash drifted through the air with each strike, the flakes glinting in the light like eerie snow. When he finished, the brothers clapped and cheered. Will took an exaggerated bow, drawing chuckles from the group.

  "Jack," Kleo called out with mock gravity, "try not to breathe in the demon flakes—that can't be good for you."

  Jack nodded and pulled his shirt over his nose and mouth while he and the brothers kicked the remains into the pit. The grim task soon turned into an impromptu game, with each man attempting to score with a single kick.

  Will left them to their competition, joining the women as he brushed ash from his sleeves.

  “Well," he said, shifting to a businesslike tone, "we brought horses. I assume you know how to ride?"

  "Yes," Kleo replied. "I learned in Astiria during my training. I enjoyed it, though it wasn't my passion."

  "And Jack?" Will asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

  Kleo smirked. "Jack grew up on the streets of Cabal. So, my guess is no."

  Will turned and called out to Jack. "Hurry up over there! I've got something important to show you."

  Jack groaned, kicking one final piece into the pit before trudging over. "More important than kicking demon parts into a goat pit?"

  Will shook his head with mock regret. "Probably not, but it's still worth your time. Let's get moving, lad."

  Maya and Kleo watched the two men head toward the barn. Kleo crossed her arms, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I can't wait to see how this turns out."

  Maya laughed. "Neither can I."

  As Maya and Will prepared the horses, Jack and Kleo sat with the brothers for a final conversation. Though this was only a temporary farewell, a sense of melancholy hung in the air. Their shared experiences over the past few days had forged a genuine bond, and the brothers’ easygoing nature made parting bittersweet.

  Kleo had spent the night devising a plan to help the brothers remain at the abbey. Bart and Tholomew had found a rare happiness in this place, and she wanted to ensure that joy could endure. True happiness was precious, and helping secure it for their newfound friends felt like the right thing to do.

  Kleo began, her voice steady and warm. “I’m keeping two books from Antonio’s library—Maya recommended them. She also found a rare volume she wants to add to her collection. We want to pay for them, of course. Would that be all right?”

  The brothers exchanged a glance before Bart shrugged. “We have no use for them. If you or Maya find value in them, take them. There’s no need to pay. They were Antonio’s books, and I doubt he has much use for them now.”

  Kleo nodded with a small smile. “I suppose not. Still, we insist. The money will help you maintain the abbey.”

  Tholomew hesitated but finally relented. “It would help us, Miss Kleo. Thank you. We appreciate it.”

  “There’s also the rest of the library,” Kleo continued. “You should sell most of the books in Midena. It will bring a good profit. Maya has also set aside a small collection she thinks you should sell in Ilimar. It’s a long trip, but those books are rare enough to fetch a significant price.”

  The brothers’ eyes widened in surprise, and a flicker of relief crossed their faces.

  Before they could respond, Jack leaned forward, his enthusiasm bubbling. “Kleo and I had an idea—something that could give you more than a one-time profit. Something sustainable. You want to hear it?”

  Both brothers nodded, intrigued.

  “We thought you could turn the abbey into an inn,” Jack said. “But not just any inn—a high-end one, with a fancy restaurant to match. You’d have to make the accommodations and the menu top-notch to attract people this far out.”

  Kleo added, “Jack and I would be silent partners. We’d provide the funds to get you started. Between that and the money from selling the books, you’d have what you need to make it work.”

  Bart and Tholomew stared at them, blinking in stunned silence.

  “An inn? With a restaurant?” Tholomew asked.

  Jack grinned. “Yeah! Bart’s cooking would be a huge draw; people will come if the rooms are nice. You could turn the main hall into a dining space that doubles as an event venue for weddings, special events, and fancy dinners. Dinner Theatre!”

  Bart’s face lit up. “Weddings? People love weddings! I could create a special menu for those occasions.” He paused, considering. “But we’d need help. I’m good in the kitchen but can’t handle meals for a large gathering alone.”

  “Midena should have plenty of people looking for work,” Kleo said. “You’ll need staff who understand what wealthy customers expect. Your guests will be people who can afford the trip out here, and they’ll pay more for exclusivity.”

  Tholomew frowned. “Getting the abbey ready before we can open will take time and money. Are you sure the book sales will cover it?”

  Kleo smiled. “They’ll bring in more than enough to get started. The question is whether you’re up for it. You could live off the money and keep things as they are.”

  Bart was quick to answer. “I want to cook, feed people. Thol’s my best customer, but I can sit here doing nothing forever. I’m in.”

  Tholomew nodded. “Yeah. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s good work. Purposeful. Better than worshipping demons, anyway.”

  “True,” Bart said with a grin. “As Antonio found out, summoning demons can be hazardous to your health.”

  The group chuckled, and Bart beamed, happy to finally use the line he’d been workshopping.

  Jack stood, clapping his hands together. “It’s settled, then! Kleo and I will leave the money for the books we’re taking, plus an initial investment. When we return, we’ll expect to be wined and dined with Bart’s amazing cooking.”

  “Don’t forget to save us your best room,” Kleo added.

  The brothers grinned, standing to shake hands and exchange hugs. The atmosphere was lighter now that the future of the abbey was a hopeful vision and no longer a question.

  As they left to join Maya and Will, Jack glanced back with a mischievous smile. “Oh, and one more thing. You’ll need to do something about the goat pit. Might not be the best selling point.”

  The brothers laughed, waving them off.

  As Jack and Kleo headed to make the final arrangements, they looked back at the abbey one last time, feeling confident that they’d left it in good hands.