They made their way to the cave. As Nova read the runes, the hidden chamber shimmered back into existence on the other side—appearing as if a portal had opened. The boys carried their new weapons. Elle and Nova had happily opted out of lugging them around. Cael still hadn't unsheathed his sword.
Fin grabbed a rock and tossed it at the entrance. Nothing happened.
Nova started forward, but Fin caught her wrist.
"Wait. Let one of us go first," he said.
She leaned in, brushing a quick kiss against his arm—a fleeting touch that still made his heart stutter. She was exhausted, craving nothing more than to cuddle with Fin in bed. No more of this.
Jax lifted a hand and cast a shield around them all before stepping ahead. A volley of dark arrows shot out of the shadows, striking the barrier and disintegrating on impact, dissolving into dust before they touched the ground.
They moved toward the mouth of the cave with slow, deliberate steps, the air heavy with an ancient, breathless stillness.
Inside, centered on a stone pedestal, rested four ancient books—older than memory itself.
A low whisper rippled through the cavern, distant yet distinct, as if the pages themselves were calling her name.
Drawn by that haunting pull, Nova moved toward them, her eyes flashing silver as she fell into a trance. Her hand lifted, trembling slightly, reaching for the nearest tome.
Fin noticed the shift before anyone else — a strange pull in the air that made the hairs on his neck rise. His stomach turned.
"Nova?" he called, cautious.
She didn't seem to hear him. Her green eyes flashed to silver. When he reached for her arm, she shoved him back with startling strength — hard enough that he staggered several paces, shock flashing across his face.
Jax moved instantly, summoning a shield of energy between them. "Nova, stop—"
She didn't. She threw her hand out, and the shield shattered like glass, the burst of power sending Jax stumbling aside.
Fin didn't hesitate. He surged forward, closing the distance, and caught her around the waist. In one motion he hoisted her over his shoulder.
She blinked confused. Her eyes flashed back to their usual green.
"Let's see where this leads." Fin said, walking with Nova still on his shoulder. Her eyes saw the books and flashed silver again like she's in a trance. She struggled to get free but Fin ignored it.
Jax watched this and couldn't help but think she was being adorable. Even when she was in a trance and pushed them, she still looked adorable.
They quickly moved away from those to the end of the cave where a door was
"Jax, raise your shield," Fin said quietly. "If this is the place I think it is, an arrow will be coming through the door."
Jax summoned his shield instantly, then kicked the door open.
The library lay beyond—and the moment the door swung wide, a volley of arrows hissed toward them, not one but several.
"Well then," Jax muttered, eyeing the quivering shafts embedded in the shield's barrier. "Let's grab the four books we need so we don't have to open this damned door again. No idea if that trap fires once or every time."
Nova's body started glowing silver and she looked annoyed. She stared at the books, trying to free herself.
"Hang on Nova." Fin said, walking her out of the cave into the library until they were well past the hidden door. He set her down at the entrance of the library. Her eyes faded back to green and she looked confused.
"Stay here." He said, giving her a kiss on her forehead and headed back to the hidden door.
Fin mindlinked Aeron so everyone can hear.
Fin: Aeron, sorry to wake you. Can you come down to the library? We have the 4 books and Nova is acting strange.
Aeron: Yes. Don't let her touch those.
Nova blinked, stunned. What had she done? How had she moved? One moment they had been in a cave—now she stood in the library. Confusion rippled through her. When did they get here?
Elle muttered under her breath, "This would've saved us an hour."
Aeron stepped through the doorway just in time to see Nova's expression.
"You were in a trance or possessed most likely." He said casually while walking by, not pausing.
He disappeared into the hidden room, where Jax still held his shield raised. A few minutes passed before Aeron emerged again, four ancient books in hand—freshly checked for dark magic.
The moment Nova saw them, her eyes flared silver. She drifted toward Aeron with unsettling purpose, gaze locked on the books.
Fin moved fast. He sprinted to her, grabbed her, and swung her over his shoulder so she faced away from them. Her eyes snapped back to green the instant she lost sight of the pages.
She blinked, confused all over again.
"That's wild." Cael said. It was clear what was happening at this point.
Aeron asks, "She might sleepwalk or go into a trance tonight and moving forward until she can touch them. It's calling to her and she's not aware it's happening."
"Are they dangerous?" Fin asked.
Aeron sighed. "No dark magic. They aren't hurting me."
Fin frowned.
Aeron added: "I've ran into this with her a few times now. She will continue to go into trances unaware of what she's doing until she can touch them."
Fin looked annoyed, "What do you mean you've ran into this? When and why wasn't I made aware?"
Jax also looked towards Aeron too. Why wasn't he made aware either? She had been his mate until a week ago.
Aeron answered flatly, "To protect her and I would have told both of you if you asked. There was a lot of talk of 'taking care' aka killing her like she was a threat. She would never hurt anyone even in a trance. The worst she'd do is push you out of the way."
Fins stomach tightened. He did remember hearing some talk around that but thought he had squashed it.
Aeron added, "It will likely render her unconscious for a few hours and she'll have a vision of some kind. She'll be back to normal after that and we can put them in your study with the notes I have from the ancestors. Keep everything in one central location."
Nova's eyes were back to silver as she struggled. Fin sighed and put her down slowly and cautiously. She walked towards Aeron and touched one of the books. It flashed white.
She then began to collapse. Jax was closer this time and caught her before Fin reached her. He handed her to Fin.
Fin sighed. "Yes, let's put those in my study and call it a night."
They all returned to their quarters and Fin laid Nova on the bed, unzipping her from her soaking wet training suit.
Gods she was beautiful. Every time he looked at her he couldn't believe how lucky he was. He peeled the suit off of her and ripped her bra and thong off of her. He kissed her lips. And immediately regretted letting her touch that book. He had a primal urge to have her.
He pulled off his suit and crawled into the bed pulling her on top of him feeling her skin on his and taking in her scent. Her breasts were pressed against his chest and he fought the urge to suck on them. His hand stroked her back, and he breathed in her scent.
He was not going to let any of what he saw in those visions happen to her. And if any dark mage or anyone ever touched her like that one did, he would hunt him down and kill them.
No one touched Nova except for him.
The dreams Elle had where he rejected her unsettled him. Yes he had said that in the beginning to himself… but he knew he'd never go through with it. The one where she rejected him also cracked his heart.
He couldn't imagine being with Marra or anyone outside of her. His queen. He finally had her and he wasn't going to let her go.
His wolf agreed.
Mine. Mate.
"I love you, baby." He whispered. "I will always be there to save you when you need me."
He held her tight kissing her hair, rubbing her back for a few minutes before dozing off to sleep himself.