When I got to the bottom of the steps, I was still shocked by the words that Madam Owlet had said. No one had ever really said something like that to me before. Most just wanted to know what was wrong with me.

Fer frowned as she saw me. “What took you so long? Did Madam Owlet embarrass you?”

I shook my head, not wanting Fer to know.

“She did, didn’t she.” Fer smiled. “There’s no getting pass Madam Owlet, not when she’s a Truth Angel.”

“Truth Angel?”

“Let’s just say that you can never lie to them. Their ability allows them to see what someone’s hiding in their hearts if they concentrate hard enough. Similar to mine, but more powerful. Each of course also has a unique ability to also detect something and easily track it. Madam Owlet can detect sources of knowledge and instantly tell if information is true or not. She known as the Keeper of Knowledge. ”

That explained the owls and why she was running the greatest library in the seven realms. But it didn’t explain why I’d never heard of them. “Wait, but I’ve never heard of them. Surely, there must be stories of them.”

“That’s because Madam Owlet is the last one. The rest fell or died. So, talking about them is kind of taboo. The only reason Madam Owlet is running the place is because she was basically created for the job. No one would be able to do what she does. It’s why she only got punished with the grey wings. The rest weren’t so lucky.”

“You mean…”

“Yes, all the fallen were once the kin of Madam Owlet. Anyway, don’t take her knowing some things to heart. She was probably just trying to give you some advice.”

“Do you know?”

Fer turned walking away. “Yes, but not everything. When you ready to talk about it you can tell me or not at all. That is your choice, and I will not take it from you. Just know that I will not judge you. No one has the right to judge you for being you.”

***

It was evening when we finally got to the Crossroads. Fer said it was one of her favorite places to go in the Gods realm after visiting the Omnia Library and Madam Owlet.

The Crossroads was something that looked like it belonged to a dark corner of a human city and not something that stood in the centre of a city in the gods realm. It was an old wooden building with dirty windows and a swinging sign. Inside however, was a different story. It was like walking into a grand ballroom, with tables covering the floor.

One side had a bar maned by a green scaled girl with black silted eyes. Next to her was a door that led to what must be the kitchen. The other side had a stairway.

Fer led us to a back corner booth and the scaled girl walked over. No, she slithered over. Where legs should have been was a large green snake tail. So, she was a snake shifter.

“Cal, stop staring.” Fer whispered into my ear.

I jumped and looked away. “Sorry, I’ve never seen a snake shifter before. I’ve only ever heard them being described.”

Fer smiled. “”Don’t worry. Just don’t stare at shifters to long. They’ll take it one of two ways. One,” Fer had up a finger. “as a challenge to fight, or two…” She held up a second finger. “that you like them.’’

“The usssual Fer.” I looked up and saw the scaled girl. She smiled, her forked tongue peeking out. I looked away quickly, remembering what Fer had said.

“Yeah, Selena. But bring two of everything.” Fer placed two gold coins on the table. “We’ll also need a room with two beds for tonight.”

Selena grabbed the coins with her clawed hands. “No roomssss. We have a full houssse today.”

Fer looked at Selena and sighed, “Fine.” She pulled out a small pink crystal ball and placed it on the table.

Selena looked at the crystal and her tongue flickered. “There is maybe one room. It has a sssmall bed through.”

“That’s fine.”

Selena nodded, grabbing the crystal ball, before slithering away to the direction of the kitchen door.

“You’re okay with sharing a room with me, right?” Fer looked at me.

“Um… It’s okay. It’s just for one night anyway?”

Fer nodded.

I looked away. “Well, it’s better than sleeping outside.”

The tavern as Fer had called it, though we both had two very different definitions of a tavern, was beginning to get loud and full of customers. “Looks like we’re going to have to wait a bit for food, so I’ll tell you a bit more of the tale.”

I nodded, edging closer to hear Fer over the noise.

"Well, after meeting Rosabella that day..."