Instantly, Horgar, Fina, Kerag, and Rael started to protest, but Linala, Besis, and Balud remained silent. They argued for several minutes and would have probably kept going, but Jez stepped closer to Enki.

Do it, Jez said. Fina started to say something, but Jez shook his head. You said so yourself. Im the one whos been studying this for the past six months. Theres no one more qualified.

I wont deny that youve done impressive things, but to go into the emptiness between worlds? Kerag shook his head. I wouldnt even want to send a full mage to do that. Mortals cant survive there.

He is a limaph, Besis lied. He might have the best chance.

What about Osmund? Fina asked. Hes a stronger limaph than Jezreel, from what Ive seen, and hes far more skilled in battle magic.

Battle magic wouldnt help me there, Osmund said. Ive been there. Twice. If anyone can do this, its Jez.

Jezreel, youve been through enough, Horgar said. Theres no need for you to do more.

Jez smiled at the beast master. I appreciate the concern, Master, but these are difficult times, and we all have to make sacrifices.

He huffed and looked at Rael. I thought he was Besiss adept. When did he become such an expert in philosophy?

The secrets master smiled. She gave both Jez and Osmund level looks. If I could steal either of them away to my dominion, I would. She let out a breath. He has a point, though.

Hes just a boy, Fina said.

A boy trusted by the high lords of the pharim, Linala said. I dont like the thought of sending him into this kind of situation any more than you do, Horgar, but who else would we send? I doubt any of us would survive. She turned to Enki. Can he?

A mere mortal does not have the will to survive Between unless he is sustained by a greater power. If this Jez is partially pharim, he might be able to make it.

Might?

Nothing is certain. I can but try.

Jez nodded. Do it.

Enki looked at the masters as he took a step forward, though none tried to stop him. He placed a scaled finger on Jezs forehead, and agony erupted from every inch of Jezs body.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

The Library of Zandra had been four stories tall and as big as a city block. Its yellow stone almost shone in the sunlight, and in its highest tower, a brilliant fire had burned golden. The inside was incredible, dozens of chambers, each a library in its own right. Shelves lined the walls while others were freestanding, forming long halls. They were crammed with books. So many books it would take a year just to read all the t.i.tles. Volumes had been gathered from all over the world. In a time when most of the world was primitive, Zandra had been a center of learning to rival any in the modern world. The stories said there was more knowledge gathered in that place than in all the rest of the world put together.

And it was all gone.

A cry of rage that didnt sound completely human brought him back to reality. He was on the ground, his head pounding. Ziary, flaming sword in hand, stalked toward Enki. The demon tried to back away, but he seemed too frightened to simply turn and flee. Besis raised a hand and shimmering blue bands entangled Ziary, but the scion had apparently grown stronger in his time with the beast men of Aniels valley because he shrugged off the binding with an almost casual ease. The light slipped off of him and puffed out of existence. Jez threw his hands forward and tried to craft a working of his own, but whatever Enki had done to him had left him feeling drained, and his working disappeared after a few feet. Ziarys sword tore through the air. Enki hissed and threw his arms up.

There was an explosion of light and sound. Ziary was driven several feet back. Enki fell to the ground. He extended his hand, and a sword appeared. For a second, it looked to be made out of a beam of sunlight, but then the light gained substance and became a blade of yellow smoke. Ziary surged forward, and Enki moved to catch the scions weapon on his. There was neither the clang of metal on metal, nor the crash of thunder Jez had come to expect from the meeting of otherworldly blades. Rather, Ziarys sword entered the smoke of Enkis, and it just stopped.

Ziary snarled and launched a barrage of blows, but Enkis weapon silently turned each one aside. Still, every blow came a little closer, and it was clear that Ziary was the superior warrior. Jez tried shouting at Ziary, but the scion either didnt notice or didnt care.

Ziary delivered a two-handed slash that ripped Enkis sword from his grasp. Almost as one, the masters cried out. Ziary drove his blade into Enkis chest. Fire spurted from his eyes and mouth. For a moment, he met Jezs eyes. Then, he lifted a hand. The ground shook, and the circle that had been used to summon Enki flared up, shining so brightly it temporarily blinded Jez. When it faded, Enki was gone, replaced by a pile of ash. The circle too had been transformed to ash. It had apparently released a burst of energy because a hole the size of the circle had been torn in the ceiling. Ziarys sword puffed out of existence as he turned to Jez.

Why did you do that? Jez asked.

He attacked you.

No, he didnt. He was trying to show me something. Jezs hand went to his forehead, and he winced. I dont think he gave me all of it.

You were in danger.

Jez rolled his eyes. Im always in danger.

Ziarys form melted away, revealing Osmund. The larger boys eyes glowed orange for a second before fading to gray. Sorry, I lost control.

Osmund, we cant have you at the Academy if youre a danger to the students, Balud said.

Im not, Chancellor. Im not sure I can keep Ziary in when theres a demon hurting someone in front of me. He looked around and sighed. I just didnt think Id ever be in a situation where that would be a problem.

Fina inclined his head. A reasonable a.s.sumption. This is no more than a minor inconvenience, though.

What do you mean? Jez asked.

Enki wasnt destroyed, and we know much more about him. He can simply be summoned again.

But not for some time, Linala said. His essence will be weeks or months in reconst.i.tuting itself. Even now, Sharims allies may be acting on information that we dont have. I hate moving this fast, but were six months behind Sharim.

What about Ziary? Jez asked.

What about him? Osmund asked.

He showed me how to cross into Between once. I might be able to use what Enki gave me to find the library if I can just get there.

It almost killed us when we went there.

When we both went, Jez said. Itll be easier if I go alone.

What if you run into trouble? Osmund asked.

Theres nothing Between, Jez said. Thats literally what it is.

Jezreel, Besis said.

Jez cut him off. Im not letting Sharim escape.

I know. I was going to recommend a ward that might help you get through this. I believe I have something that could help survive Between.

Oh.

Besis, you cant be serious, Balud said.

Besis grinned. You dont know him like I do, Chancellor, and theres one thing youre not considering.

Whats that?

Theres nothing we can do to stop him.

Osmund grinned and walked up to Jez. He laid a finger on Jezs forehead, and a heartbeat later, Ziary stood before him. Then, everything went black.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Jez woke in his room with a splitting headache. Unfamiliar ideas floated in his head, and it strained his mind if he focused on them. He allowed himself to smile. It was knowledge not meant for a mortal mind, and it would drift away in time, but for now, it was his. He moved his blankets and sat up. Osmund, who had been snoozing in a cushioned chair next to Jezs bed, stirred. He opened his eyes and frowned.

Its about time.

How long?

Four days.

What? Last time, it was only two.

Osmund shrugged. If you want, we can do it over and over again and see if the number of days is random or if theres some pattern. Jez glared, but Osmund let out a breath. We were worried. Rael tried looking into your mind. Afterward, she screamed for a quarter hour.

He blinked. Is she okay?

Shes fine, but she couldnt remember anything shed seen. Shes been in and out since then, but Besis is waiting in the other room.

Jez blinked at him. How did he know when I would wake?

He didnt. Hes hardly left your sitting room. He knew the knowledge wouldnt stay with you very long, and he wanted to be on hand when you woke up so we wouldnt miss the opportunity.

Lina?

Shes sleeping. We were staying with you in shifts.

Jez nodded and swung his legs out over the side of his bed. He hopped to his feet and swayed as he stood up. He had to grab onto the bed post to avoid falling. The room was spinning, and for a moment, he felt like he was going to throw up. Instantly, Osmund was at his side. It took him a second to find his balance.

That didnt happen last time.

Balud said this might happen. You havent used your legs in a long time. He worked some magic to lessen the effects, but it should still take you a little while to be back to normal. He smirked. As normal as a pharim wearing a human costume ever gets anyway.

Jez glared at him but didnt say anything. He took a few unsteady steps and shook Osmund off. It was a struggle to walk, and he couldnt quite manage to move in a straight line. Osmund offered him an arm, but Jez refused it. Eventually, he made it to his sitting room without falling. Besis sat in a cushioned chair as he flipped through a leather-bound book. The protection master looked up when Jez entered and smiled.

Im glad to see youre finally awake, though I admit I expected you to be better attired.

Jez looked down at himself and blushed. He hadnt even realized he was in his sleeping robes. Someone mustve changed him into them. He held his head high.

I was kind of in a hurry.

Besis met his gaze. Are you well?

A little dizzy, but Im fine.

Good, if youre ready, Ill put the ward on you.

Jez stared at him. So soon?

We dont want the knowledge to fade, and Id prefer not to put you through that again.

Shouldnt we tell some of the other Masters?

Besis raised an eyebrow. How long can you hold on to that knowledge?

Jez considered, but the thought made his head hurt. He let out a breath. I dont know.

Then, its best we dont wait.

Why is everyone suddenly so eager for me to do this? Last time something like this happened, I practically had to drag the information I needed out of you.

The pharim are gone, Jez. Besis kept his voice low, and Jez could hear the faintest tinge of fear. Do you know when the last time that happened was? Jez shook his head. Thats because its never happened. Rael isnt sure what the effects could be, but it cant be good. Someone has to go Between to get that information, and were not so arrogant as to believe any of us can do it. It has to be you.

Jez nodded, not quite sure how to take that. Besis started walking around him in a slow circle, his hands weaving elaborate patterns in the air as he moved. From the door to his bedroom, Osmund watched, clearly not liking what was happening.

Are you sure I cant come with you?

Jez shook his head. Last time I tried to do that, it almost killed us both. Ill have to spend almost all my concentration on keeping myself together. If Im going to look for the library, I wont have anything to spare to keep you alive.

Osmund nodded. Be careful.

Jez grinned. Arent I always?

No.

Jez bit his lower lip. If I dont come back...

Osmund snorted. Youll come back. If you dont, Lina will never forgive you.

Jez felt his face heat up as Besis finished his ritual. The edges of the protection masters mouth had tightened in the beginnings of a smile. Jez glared at Osmund before closing his eyes and concentrating. He allowed the images in his head to come into the forefront of his thoughts. Between one breath and another, there was a gap, and he forced himself into it. He heard a gasp, though he wasnt sure if it was from Osmund or Besis. Then, the world faded away, and he drifted into Between.