~12~

Mr. Anne had instructed Ivory to look for answers in the Atwood library. He had explained, that it was not his place to tell her who she was. He had said that the only person who could truly figure that out was Ivory herself. So Mr. Anne had excused from patrolling the edge of the forest with the others in her year so that she could head down to the library instead.

The library was by far the most brilliant room in the manor that Ivory had seen so far.

Above her, an onyx tiled ceiling and multiple giant crystal chandeliers dangled hundreds of feet above her head. And all around her, a forest of ancient-looking bookshelves filled to the brim with ancient-looking books surrounded her.

Ivory had no idea what she was looking for or where to begin, so without a second thought, she fastened her new cloak around her neck, then set forth into the great labyrinth of shelves.

For a long time, Ivory would drag her fingers across the dusty spines of books with gold letters threatening to vanish at any moment, when she heard a voice call out to her,

"I've never seen you in here before..."

Ivory whipped her head around so fast that for a moment, she was afraid that she might get whiplash. A boy, who looked to be the same age as Kylo, or maybe a little younger was examining her curiously. His arms were crossed, and his eyes scanned her up and down.

"You know, usually, whenever a newcomer enters the Noble Error--"

"The what?"

The boy spread his hands, "This..." He said, "This is my kingdom."

It took her a minute to realize that the boy was actually half-transparent, and always half an inch from the floor. But when she did, she nearly screamed out loud.

"Y--you're a ghost!" Ivory exclaimed. The boy's expression darkened.

"I'd mind your tongue, girl. Go calling the wrong create the wrong thing again, and it may very well be the last time you ever use it."

Ivory was speechless.

When he realized that she still believed he was a ghost, he sighed and shook his head.

"I'm a Lar!" Said the boy, "L.A.R. Got it?"

"What is that?" Asked Ivory.

"What is--Every household has a Lar!"

Ivory shook her head, "Not mine. I've never heard of a Lar in my whole life."

The boy dropped his arms limply at his sides. Then he straightened up again and changed the subject.

"Nevermind that, Who are you? And what do you want?"

"I want a book--"

"I know that!" Said the boy acidly.

Ivory stared back at the boy in disbelief. "I am Ivory Evens, a new queen. As you can see, I'm also a possessor. I need to find answers about--"

"Yes yes." Said the Lar waving her aside and trudging past her. "Anne sent you didn't he? Good man that Mr. Anne. Letting others uncover their own paths instead of telling them himself like that old bat in the headmistress's office."

"Josephine?"

"Tut tut tut, I do not wish that name to be spoken here. Names have great power, and that is one name that does not deserve any here in the Noble Error."

The Lar lead Ivory through twists and turns and bends and forks. It all seemed to just go on forever. After a while, Ivory's feet began to ache, but she didn't dare complain.

Finally, the Lar stopped, and pulled a huge navy blue book from one of the shelves and gently blew decade's worth of dust from the cover, then handed it to Ivory.

"Here you are Possessor, this should tell you all you need to know." Said the boy.

And with a snap of his fingers, the two of them were at the front of the library once again.

Ivory heaved the heavy book all the way back across the manor to her room. Ivory took a seat at the desk in which Melinoe normally sits. But even before she could flip to the first chapter, on the title page, an old photograph made her heart lurch and dread twisted in her gut.

She recognized this girl in the dark grey dress. Ivory had forgotten about the paralysis she had had her first night in Atwood hall. But now it was all coming back to her in a violent flood of hazy visions and emotions.

Under the girls picture read the name: Margret Pansie. Margret had a warm, gentle smile. And eyes that held more color within them than the entire photo altogether.

Still, Ivory shook her head in utter disbelief.

"Whose that?" Macaria asked suddenly, which made Ivory's heart rate spike once again. Macaria had appeared behind Ivory and was now peering over her shoulder at the photo of Margret Pansie.

"She kind of looks like..."

Ivory hadn't noticed it until now, and the mere thought sent chills down her spine. "No." Ivory muttered softly, "Please don't say it."

"The tales of the greatest twelve." Macaria read the title. "Who are they?"

Ivory shrugged and finally turned to the first chapter. "Chapter One," She read aloud. "The legend of patéras."