Page 110 of Librarian

We’re both winded, but Eddy is already there, offering me her hand. I take it, putting more of my weight on her than I intend to as my legs wobble. We’ve come out in the foyer. The Library is still decorated as it was when Mathias had control. All around us, that mist is creeping in, swirling around our ankles, which is weird. Normally it stays outside.

It’s quiet. Dead quiet.

Wrong.

I’d hoped Kyrith wouldn’t have to see the Arcanaeum like this, but we’re here. She can fix it.

“You okay?” I ask, searching for Dakari.

“Never better.” He coughs, pressing a hand to his side as he pushes himself up using the wall. His grimoire is out, and he’s examining the other doors like he’s waiting for them to swing open. When they don’t, he asks, “Kyrith?”

I’m already crossing to where she’s sprawled on the floor a few feet away.

“She’s fine,” Eddy says. “I checked her first. She just passed out, like last time.”

I shrug off my jacket, balling it in my hands before slipping it under Kyrith’s head. She’s stirring, and I cup her cheek, freezing when she leans into my touch. The corner of my lip quirks.

She can be affectionate…when she’s asleep.

“We need to get the others here.” Dakari groans as he stands. “All of them. If Benny is dead?—”

“Pierce is going to be very fucking pissed,” I finish, gut sinking.

Dakari gives me a shallow nod. “Jasper is stable. I left him on the sofa back at Leo’s place. If the others didn’t manage to save Benny, they’ll have gone back there. I’ll keep watch on these two.”

“The dagger is broken,” Eddy mumbles, picking up the shard lying discarded on the floor and trying to match up the jagged edge with the rest of the cracked blade. “Do you think that means…?”

I shrug. I don’t have a clue. Maybe Kyrith or Leo will know. If it’s broken, that could be a good thing. Mathias can’t use it against us anymore.

My eyes catch on the gleaming red gem in the pommel. “We have his soul vessel.”

Shit. That’s going to make for one angry lich.

“The others.” Dakari repeats. “They need to be here. Now.”

Or Mathias might use them against us somehow.

I rap my knuckles on the nearest door. “Leo’s house.”

Thankfully, it still works like it used to, if a little slower. With how dead the Library seems, I was worried we’d be stuck here.

The dusty, old-fashioned living room is warmer than it should be. I choke on soot-filled air before I realise why; I’ve stepped into a magical firestorm.

“Jesus!” I cough, but a shield cuts in front of me before the next fire blast can make contact with my unsuspecting face.

Leo grabs me, dragging me down to where he’s taking shelter behind the sofa with Jasper’s unconscious body. The thing is on fire, floral fabric going up in smoke faster than I thought possible

“Pierce, man. Come on.” Lambert’s voice is almost lost to the roar of the magic. “Look, you’ve got every right to be angry. Grieve all you want. But the Arcanaeum isopen. We need to go.”

I can barely see him. His skin has turned to stone, glowing like lava under the force of Pierce’s magic.

Shit. Angry is an understatement.

“The Arcanaeum, now.” I grab Leo and urge him towards the door.

The two of us drag Jasper away from the blond man currently screaming flames at the ceiling from his mouth. He’s set almost everything in here ablaze.

“He’s gone,” Lambert says. “Yeah. But we’re here for you, dude. We’ll get your mom back for it, but right now?—”