Tale of Life (Essence Series #2) by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online Page B

impossible to come by.
    When they arrived at the Grandiose Historian Library, they came inside the building and checked for any wandering Hara-Kirs, making sure they were truly alone. When they discovered none, they came further into the room and placed their backpacks and supplies on the dark-wooden surface of the table. The Christmas tree still remained by the window, its lights sparkling in the dim library.
    “Christmas is over,” said Breccan, who stared at the tree reproachfully. “It’s time to throw the tree on the curb. Let the garbage trucks haul it to the chipper.
    Easton glared at him, appalled at his violent suggestion. “It’s still winter time.”
    “So?” he said. “By that reasoning, the tree would be here until March.”
    “I like having it here,” said Calloway, who stared at the decorated branches and the star sitting on top. In truth, he was indifferent to the tree’s existence but he wanted to annoy Breccan as much as possible. He wanted retribution for his insistent comments, and he knew agreeing with Easton was the best way to get it.
    Breccan stared at both of them, shocked they could think such a thing. “You guys are weird.”
    “You’re just mad there are no candy canes on it,” Easton snapped. Being called weird was the most offensive thing you could say to her and her eyes brightened in anger, hating the label. “Nothing is edible.”
    Breccan rolled his eyes. “I’m never going to get rid of this reputation, am I?”
    “Nope,” Easton and Calloway said together.
    They stepped away from the tree and looked around the room, studying the dimensions of the library and the old paintings of depicted gardens mounted on the end of bookshelves. The library was full of bookcases and various tables, but the walls had no ornamentation and looked extremely bare. There was dirt ingrained into the surface of the wood and the carpet was saturated with ancient grime, leaving the air scented with the smell of must. It tickled Calloway’s nose—he wanted to sneeze.
    “The portal must be behind the bookcases,” Calloway said. He stepped away from the table and approached the end of the study area. “The Hara-Kirs seem to appear from back there. That’s the only explanation I can think of.”
    Easton nodded. “That sounds right.”
    Breccan pulled out his knife as they walked toward the rear of the library.
    “That isn’t necessary,” Calloway said when he spotted it. “We’ll hear it before we see it.”
    Breccan was hesitant, uncomfortable by the prospect of searching for the portal unarmed, but then reinserted his blade after a moment, realizing his friends weren’t afraid of the danger so he shouldn’t be either.
    They walked down the aisle of bookcases and entered the back of the library. There were three identical walls, constructed of indecipherable engraved images in the dark wood, and they connected together. Calloway stared at the drawn images in confusion. He didn’t recognize the picture.
    When Easton placed her hands against the wall, she pushed the solid barrier with all her strength but nothing happened. Calloway wasn’t sure what she was trying to do. When she applied force again, she fell backwards onto the floor, landing on her shoulder. Calloway grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet.
    “Are you okay?” he asked.
    She rubbed her shoulder for a moment. “Yes,” she said. “I’m okay.”
    Breccan slid his hand across the wall then looked at the dirt under his fingers. “Gross.”
    Easton glared at him, annoyed the Breccan wasn’t concerned for her at all.
    Calloway stared at the wall for a moment but didn’t touch anything. There was nothing indicative about the three surfaces—they looked identical. “Does anyone have any ideas?”
    Easton walked to the other wall and pressed her hand against it, feeling it under her fingertips. “I don’t even understand what we’re looking for,” she said. “I would assume that a wall would be a portal. What