“There were once many Worldweavers in Edinmyre, all female. She was not so much a person as more of... a type of magic. A Worldweaver is a portalist who’s exceptional skill was able to transcend different realities and realms. A Worldweaver could open a portal to any realm in any universe, whenever they wished.”
Wow. I guess that explained why portals were so easy for me. “So what happened to them?” I asked.
“All of the Worldweavers had Unseelie blood. They were killed after the Seelie won the war,” Lucien said .
I froze. All of them had Unseelie blood? But... I wasn’t a dark fae, was I? Did that mean I was the first-ever Seelie Worldweaver? And if so, why now, after centuries had gone by?
Lucien noticed my silence, so I rushed to say something. “But you gave a lecture last semester how the Black Claw was looking for the Worldweaver on the night of Pallenoc, so they could use her to restore Droga to life. How can that be possible if the Worldweavers were Unseelie, and there’s no Unseelie left?”
“The Worldweaver we’re speaking of currently— mind you, if she exists— is thought to be a bridge between the two sides,” Lucien said. “A Seelie fae with Unseelie blood in her line. That’s what enables her to have exceptional power, and raise Droga from the dead.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat. I couldn’t have Unseelie ancestry... could I?
Before Lucien could get suspicious, I asked, “So do the Black Claw have a certain day on which they have to take the Worldweaver’s blood?” I knew this already, though maybe Lucien could give me a date.
He leaned forward. “Yes, but as far as the proper time, I couldn’t tell you. I’ve researched the Worldweaver for decades, and I haven’t even managed to find the year, let alone the exact date.”
“Oh.” My voice sounded disappointed.
Lucien raised an eyebrow. “Is there a particular reason you chose this topic for your paper?”
I shook my head. “No, sir. I just thought it sounded interesting.”
“Hmph.” Lucien scowled. “Well, curious minds and all that. But I hope you have a strong stomach. Some of the aspects of the Worldweavers’ history is somewhat... gruesome. Their magic was used to achieve great things, but also, terrible, horrible things. There’s a reason the gods permitted their extinction.”
A shiver crawled over my skin. “I’m sure if the Worldweaver is real, she’s been sent by the gods to restore balance and make things right.”
That’s why Milonna had chosen me as her champion. To save the fae. At least, I hoped so.
Lucien’s gaze was introspective. “Perhaps. If the Worldweaver is out there, I hope she uses her powers for good. Having so much magic is a great responsibility. Keep in mind not everyone goes to the Great Hunting Grounds after death.”
I didn’t know what he meant. I mean, if Arcanea didn’t go there, where did they go?
But I didn’t want Lucien to get suspicious, so I stood up and said, “Thank you for your help, professor. This will be vital to my research.”
“Anytime. Oh, and, Emma?”
I paused before I reached the doorway. Lucien’s voice was stern when he spoke. “Be careful. Don’t go messing with things before you’re ready.”
My throat closed up. I wasn’t able to speak, so I just nodded and I hurried out of there.
Panic closed in on me as I wandered the halls of Arcanea University. I felt like Lucien knew I was the Worldweaver. If he didn’t know for sure, I was certain he at least suspected. He couldn’t prove it... not yet... but if I wasn’t careful, he’d be able to eventually.
Lord Lucien was one of my favorite teachers. I liked him, but I didn’t know if I could trust him with the fate of the Arcanea. I trusted my friends and no one else.
Who else had figured it out? Lady Magdalina? Is that why she had such big plans for me? I hoped to the gods Lady Korva didn’t have any idea. I couldn’t take that kind of pressure.
I’d managed to calm myself down by the time I’d made it to the library. I’d come here on purpose, looking for Kiara. I needed help sorting this out and knew she’d be my best asset.
Thank the gods she was there, sitting at a desk by the window. She had books spread out over the table and was bent over them, scribbling notes with a quill. She was sitting next to a studious wolven girl, with light brown hair and brown