Pop moved into his hospital emergency mode, unwavering under pressure.
“It’s a charmed chateau hidden in the countryside somewhere in France,” Arik said. “We have to summon escorts from the French Haven to take us there.”
I snatched my helmet from the floor. “We should just go and not risk alerting anyone.”
“Only Couve’s High Wizard and his Sentinels know the whereabouts of the shelter.”
“How do we know they’re on our side?” I said. “Veronique’s from there.”
“Her actions do not make them all guilty.” Arik’s face held both concern and strength at the same time.
“He’s right,” Pop said.
“The French Haven is in as much danger as us. Their council exiled Conemar to Esteril.” Arik paced around a small reading table. “Conemar must have something big planned to feel confident enough to start a war. It would end badly if he acquired all the Chiavi and gained control of the Tetrad. It’s going to get hot and too dangerous for you to be in the heat of it.”
“Why didn’t you guys put him in prison when you had him?”
“Just as the human world struggles to convict criminals, so do the havens. It’s called justice.”
“Well, justice sucks.” I banged my helmet against my leg, ignoring the pain. “And now our world is in as much danger as yours.”
“Have you forgotten? Mystik is your world, as well.”
Pop came up behind me and dropped his hands onto my shoulders. “Calm down. We have to keep our heads straight.”
“Don’t misunderstand me, Gia.” Arik let out an exasperated breath. “The human world is part of our world. Wizards and Sentinels are partly human. We’ll fight to the end to protect both worlds.” He turned his back and mumbled, “We’re not monsters.”
“Son, no one thinks you’re a monster.” Pop squeezed my shoulders, egging me on to agree with him.
“No, Arik. I don’t think you’re one,” I said, faintly. The last thing I wanted to do was to make him feel like a monster. “But I can’t stand by and not be in the heat of it. My birth started all of this. I’m a Sentinel just like you.”
Pop removed his hands from my shoulders. “Can you give me a weapon?”
Arik turned around, startled. “I can’t have you risking your life.”
“I’m guessing it’s already in danger.” Pop’s red unkempt eyebrows knitted together. “Don’t you think I should be able to defend myself?”
Arik bent over, pulled a long dagger from his boot, and handed it to Pop.
Pop took the dagger. “What, no guns?”
Arik shook his head. “We don’t use guns. The laws established at the Mystik Summits forbid their use in the libraries. Only hand-to-hand combat and magic abilities are legal. There are enchantments over the libraries that disable the propellants of bullets.”
“What are the Mystik Summits?” Pop asked.
“It’s an annual gathering of the Wizard Council and the Mystik League,” Arik said. “They discuss matters to keep the Mystik world hidden from humans—”
“Wait,” I cut in. “I read about this in a book called The Invisible Places.”
Arik smirked.
“I don’t see what’s so funny,” I said.
“The book’s author is Professor Gian Bianchi. He was to be the next High Wizard of Mantello, the Italian Haven, before he died.”
I blinked at him.
“You don’t see the similarity of your names? Your mother’s name is Marietta Bianchi. They have the same last name.” He paused to see if I caught on. “He was your great-grandfather. You’re named after him.”
“I see.” My mind wrapped around the importance of this revelation. I felt a little stupid for not noticing the name similarity before. “So I have a wizard gene–that’s good, right?”
“Not really. We all have wizards in our lineage. Having more Sentinel blood than any Sentinel alive is, though.” He studied my face. “I just wish you were better trained. You could have all the talents in the world, but without training, they’re worthless.”
I stiffened. “I could beat you any day.”
“All right, you needn’t get upset. I just meant as far as your magical powers are concerned. I’ve heard you have good sword skills.”
“You think you know everything, don’t you?” I said.
He smirked again. “I’m not so pretentious to think I know everything.”
“Arik, we have guests,” Lei said from the doorway. “The Sentinels from France are here, and guess what?”
Arik frowned at her.
“I gather you’re not in a guessing mood, eh?” She grinned at him. “Bastien’s with them.”
“Why did he come?” Arik growled and then stormed off for the doorway.
“Who’s Bastien?” I asked Lei as we followed Arik.
“Bastien Renard is the son of the French High Wizard, Gareth.”