Deviation: Altera Realm Trilogy Book 2 by Jennifer Collins Page B

and looked down at her. “But I don’t like to start anything with any secrets.” He stepped back and started to put away the clothes he had pulled out.
    When he looked back at Noelle, she was still standing in the middle of the room, her hand to her mouth. It was a little mean, he knew, but if she wouldn’topen up to him, she’d never open up to Syney, and now that he knew her secret, she was a big part of the plan. Finally she looked up at him and shook her head before walking out of the room. She would come around, he knew. It was only a matter of time. And he couldn’t wait.

Helen sat in the library, waiting for Syney. She had no idea why Syney had wanted to meet. Their lessons on the Realm had ended a few months ago, although they often met to go over books when one had a question. But Syney had gone through official channels for this meeting, which was odd. Helen waved as she saw her enter the room.
    “Hey, sorry. I went shopping for a date.”
    Helen looked at her, stunned. “A what?”
    “Oh, right. You weren’t at the shindig last night. I got asked out,” Syney said, opening her notebook.
    “Please don’t tell me it’s Brian.”
    Syney smiled. “Not Brian. His name is Adam. He did, however, come in with Brian.”
    “Ah, he’s the one who saved Brian’s life, right?”
    Syney nodded. “He’s really cute.”
    Helen smiled. “I’m so happy for you. It’ll be good to move on.”
    “Uh-huh.” Syney’s hand went the necklace she was wearing.
    Helen stared at it for a moment, speechless. She knew what it was. Leaf had showed it to her after he had gotten from his mother. They had talked for hours about whether he should give it to Syney. Helen thought it was a good idea but said Leaf should wait a bit longer before he gave it to her. She needed to heal first.
I guess he decided differently
, she thought.
    “That’s a pretty necklace,” Helen prompted.
    “Thanks. It’s just something I found. Noelle brought a bag of gifts to me this morning. I guess it’s customary for the whole Village to give a queen gifts on her birthday. Anyway, I wanted to meet with you to discuss something,” Syney said, quickly changing the subject.
    “OK. What is it?”
    “Well, I’ve been through all the history books in this library, but none of them says anything about the Great War other than it started and never ended.”
    “That sounds about right,” Helen said. “Most of our books don’t go into much detail.”
    “I was wondering if we could make a new book, or at least do some research into the war. How did it start? Who were the first casualties?”
    “Why the sudden interest?”
    Syney sighed. “I just really want to know. I mean, I’m supposed to be this savior who ends the Great War, and I don’t even know how it started.”
    Helen nodded. “I get it. But you’re not going to find much here. Even the secured section doesn’t have any history books.”
    “What about the journals?”
    “Possibly, but most weren’t collected once the war started. You could…maybe that might work.”
    “What? You do realize you’re talking to yourself in your head, right?”
    Helen laughed. “I was thinking you could go into the Village. There aren’t any Magic Users who would still be alive, but there definitely are some Lycins. They—”
    “Age differently, I know. Do you think they’ll even talk to me?” Syney asked.
    “You’re their future queen. I think they’ll throw you a party,” Helen said with a smile. “Hey, why don’t you just ask Gabriel? I’m sure he was around back then.”
    “He was, but knowing him, he’ll just lie to me, so what’s the point?”
    Helen nodded. She wanted to ask Syney about the Blocadrian necklace he had given her, but she wanted to keep in mind what Leaf had said. If Helen asked Syney about it, she might tell her to talk to Gabriel, which would make Leaf very angry. Helen hated making him angry, although he was cute when he was. “If you want I can go