Page 14 of Librarian

“Having the ensorcellments plastered all over her removed.” Dakari dodges him, rounding the sofa as he scans the rest of us with a frown. “She’s drowning in Carlton magic. I barely managed to get the trackers off her and Anthea before we transported.”

Inevitably, his eyes land on Leo, and a storm settles over his brow. I dinnae think I’m imagining that frown deepening as the Ó Rinn heir’s chest rises and falls on a deep breath, either.

“What. Happened?” His displeasure radiates through the room.

“We have no idea,” Lambert says. “One second everything was fine, the next…”

“You tell us.” I shake my head. “That dafty was already passed out on the floor when we got to the Rotunda.”

“Yeah.” North sighs long and loud. “Kyrith must’ve thrown him out after us.”

“No,” Lambert says. “That was the Arcanaeum. Kyrith barely managed to throwusout.”

I’ve come to the same conclusion. “His magical well is wrecked.” I half-raise Benny’s book. “Or I assume it must be, given that the Library sent this with him.”

It’s a sign I’d be stupid to ignore, but I’m not feeling particularly charitable today.

“So heal him,” Dakari growls. “And then break his stupid curse.”

“What? I don’t?—”

“I’m with Dakari,” North interrupts. “The Library is vengeful as fuck. If it sent him here with that book, it’s for a reason. And Kyrith sent those runeforms through after him because she knew one of you could break it.”

“Maybe it just wants us to beat his ass with this book until he regrets being born,” I mutter.

Lambert says nothing, and that worries me more than the Ó Rinn’s worsening pallor. They’re brothers. Surely he wants Leo to live?

All three of us are staring at him, and he groans as he gives in and finally turns away from the window, crossing to stand beside Leo.

“If the Library wants him healed, then do it. But…” He trails off, an uncharacteristically dark look flickering over his golden features as he traces the curse mark with his eyes. “He might’ve cost us everything already.”

“It’s not over.” Dakari folds his arms, like he can undo what’s happened through sheer stubbornness.

Lambert shakes his head. “He’s the reason Kyrith is dead.”

The last three words fall into the room like a bomb.

“She’s not.” My denial is instant, even though I have no proof.

“You don’t know that,” Dakari objects at the same time. “We can’t assume anything until the Library reopens.”

“What?” Lambert demands. “You think they’ve spared her because you’ve taken Anthea hostage?”

He snorts. “No. They were going to execute her. I only rescued Anthea because she knows things that can help us. I have to believe Kyrith is still alive, if only because Pierce isn’t here.”

“Pierce?” I echo dumbly.

I honestly hadn’t even thought about the Carlton heir.

“That prick?” North rolls his eyes. “He’s probably celebrating with Mathias and the rest of his minions.”

Dakari reaches into his jacket and pulls out…a book? “I would’ve agreed with you, but he’s the one who helped me get this.”

It’s purple, the binding rune dull and faded on the front. And it’s old. The leather is cracked and worn.

“Kyrith’s grimoire?” Lambert guesses before I can.

Is he…crying? There’s definitely a sheen of moisture across his eyes.