Annika’s fingers slid across the metal on the hatch. It was warm to the touch, as if the sun had been shining directly on it. She gripped and pulled, trying to find a hold in order to open the hatch. As soon as it gave a little, the hatch sprang open. Annika leaned back quickly to avoid being hit. Bright light streamed out, causing Annika to shield her face until her eyes adjusted. She blinked rapidly, squinting and peering into the hatch until a floating book revealed itself to her. 

[color=#663399]”Hmm. Not ominous at all,”[/color] she murmured to herself. Still, Annika wasn’t one to ignore an opportunity to learn something new. Besides, she was in her own home. How dangerous could it be? Even if Nochella seemed apprehensive of the book. 

The unique symbol wasn’t so unique to Annika. She had seen the wreath, sword combo on several of her father’s books before, all of them with strange behaviour. However, there wasn’t a lot of what the average person would call “normal” in the Everdark.

[color=#663399]”Well hello, friend. What would you like to share with me?”[/color] Annika asked the book. She held her hands out to it, eager to hold it and discover what stories it held.