Time straightened and nodded. “I will go through first. Remain here for a moment.”

I didn’t argue, watching as he slipped through the wall. Silence stretched for a beat before he spoke. “It is safe, and you will want to see this.”

I exchanged a look with Volpe, then followed with him at my heels. Despite seeing Time walk through the wall, I half expected to smack into solid stone. Instead, a ghost-like tingling passed over me as the office melted away. I froze, my mouth dropping open at the sight before me.

Plants covered every surface, their leaves, vines, and thorns radiating a kaleidoscope of colors. Workbenches lined the walls, one supporting a cauldron beneath a mounted shelf of books.

Time gestured around us, smiling. “It appears there is one more room for you to clear out.” His eyes glinted with good-natured amusement.

I nodded, slowly turning to take it all in. “He had a whole damn potions room hidden in his office…” I muttered, jerking back when a flower bulb snapped at me. “Are these safe to put in the satchel? Or will they tear it apart?”

Time nodded. “Just as the inkwells will not stain the books, these plants cannot harm other items in the bag. Take everything in this room. I only recognize half of these plants, but those I do are exceedingly rare. Their leaves, petals and sap are used for potions and poisons. We cannot risk these falling into the wrong hands.”

I backed away from the snapping plant. “Alright, but how do I pack them safely? I’m kind of attached to my hands.”

Time moved to a wall of odd-looking tools. Pulling down a pair of shimmering leather gloves with intricate swirl patterns stamped on the wrists, he handed them to me. “These should suffice.”

I slipped the gloves on and jumped as they shrank to fit perfectly. Flexing my hands, I hummed at the buttery texture. “Fascinating.”

Reaching cautiously for the snapping flower, I watched its vibrant purple petals close around my gloved fingers. I felt nothing. Pinching its “mouth” shut, I used my free hand to open the satchel and maneuvered the plant inside.

With the flower safely tucked away, I sighed, eyeing the rest of the room. “This is going to be a long night.”

Time nodded. “I will gather the books, vials, cauldrons, and other jarred ingredients.” He moved to a cupboard brimming with neatly labeled vials. The rows seemed to stretch impossibly deep, another feat of magic I chose not to question.

Turning to the remaining plants, I huffed. “Sure, you get the stuff that doesn’t bite. I see how it is.”

Time’s lips twitched with mischief. “Indeed. As you pointed out, I am unused to this form. It is only logical that you handle the more dangerous tasks.”

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Well, that sure bit me in the ass, didn’t it?

I rolled my eyes. “Should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

Grabbing another snapping plant, I remembered what else I’d planned to get and groaned. “Damn it, we forgot about the armory, and I already promised Henry I’d stay in the office.”

Time glanced up from the seemingly endless potions. “What interests you so much in the armory? You’ve already claimed the king’s library and, soon, his apothecary.”

“Hey, you approved the first one and basically ordered me to clear the second.” I shot back. “Don’t make me sound like a thieving bastard.”

Time chuckled. “Be at ease, Nikolas. I ask out of idle curiosity.”

Grumbling under my breath, I finally answered. “Most of the vault was useless–heavy plate and frontliner weapons. But there was a staff. It cuts the cost of healing spells in half and can wipe out undead in a wave of light.”

Time froze, his expression sharpening. “Nikolas, what is the name of the staff?”

Thinking back, I replied, “Dawn’s Light. Why?”

He turned, abandoning the potions to face me, his frown resolute. “We need to retrieve that staff before we leave.”

“Okay…” I said slowly. “I was planning to, but what’s so special about it that you know it by name?”

Neither he or Karma seemed the type to use a staff.

He returned to the potions, his movements notably slower as he explained. “That staff belongs to the spirit of Light, now the spirit of Life. It was crafted for her specifically. I do not know how he came to possess it, but it cannot remain here.”

Understanding dawned, quickly followed by disappointment. “Guess I won’t be getting half-priced healing spells after all.” Unfortunate, but oh well. It was hers rightfully, so I’d make sure it was returned to her.

Time waved my concern aside. “Such a powerful artifact was never meant for mortal hands. When we return it, she may offer a boon. You could request a similar artifact–but do so politely.”

I glared at him. “I’ve always been polite to Karma. Why would Life be any different?”

He gave me a pointed look. “Our first meeting involved you demanding my presence while cursing my name in the same breath.”

Heat crawled up my neck. “Okay, but to be fair, I thought Karma brought you up to speed and you were avoiding me.”

Shaking his head, Time sighed. “I do not shirk my duties, even those I inherit unknowingly from my wife. That aside, Life is among the oldest spirits, nearly the same age as myself. Treat her with respect.”

“I didn’t plan on being an ass,” I muttered, then hesitated. “But if she’s as old as you, does that make her your sister?”

It would explain why he was being so protective of a woman who was most likely capable of squashing me flat.

He tilted his hand in a so-so gesture. “As close to a sibling as spirits have. We were not born as mortals are but created from the elements we embody. I am Time. The oldest spirits were formed from the gods before they passed.”

Curious, I asked, “So how many ‘siblings’ do you have? And if younger spirits weren’t made from elements, what are they made of?”

Time’s gaze turned distant, pained. “That is knowledge I will not share. It would invite disaster if it fell into the wrong hands. Just know that I have few siblings, and I will see to it that they are treated with respect.” He grimaced. “Most of them, at least. Should we encounter my pest of a brother, feel free to be as disrespectful as you wish.”

Sibling rivalry much?

I bit back a comment and refocused on packing the plants. Time’s secrets could wait; I had snapping flora to deal with–and an armory to raid afterward.