Page 145 of Librarian

There’s no protocol for that, no handbook.

The smart thing would be for them to back off, regroup, and figure out where things stand. Unfortunately, Michael doesn’t issue the order I’m hoping for.

“If you’re standing in the way of my duty, you’re as good as enabling necromancers.”

“You’re confusing supporting dark magic with refusing to cooperate with an increasingly authoritarian regime. Northcliff has already sworn under a truth spell that he knows nothing,” I remind him. “I administered the test myself in front of you.”

“That’s no longer sufficient for the Rector or Parriarch Ackland. Recent events have proven you’re not infallible, and you’ve become less than impartial.”

I straighten, indignation lighting my words as I stare him down. “I have been casting truth spells since before your great-grandfather knew how to hold a grimoire. As for impartiality, you would struggle to recognise it, given how firmly your lips are glued to the seat of Isidora Carlton’s rotting ass. Now, I suggest you apologise, take off your ridiculous mask, and cease polluting the Arcanaeum with your presence before you find yourself banished for your impertinence.”

Lambert’s chuckle echoes through the Rotunda a second later, joined by several professors.

Oh stars. I wish they hadn’t. Nothing is more threatening to a proud man than the laughter of his peers.

Michael proves as much when he responds, “Northcliff and Pierce are still subject to the orders of their parriarchs.”

“They are inside the Arcanaeum and thus outside of your jurisdiction.”

“You cannot shelter fugitives?—”

“You know what? I’m getting bored of this.” Pierce steps forward, holding his grimoire out towards Michael. “You want proof? Here. Search it. There are enough witnesses here. Butif you think I’m leaving this building to become a prisoner of Mathias Ackland, you’re mistaken.”

My breath catches.

This wasn’t the plan. I gave him that forgery as aprecaution. Not for him to just offer it up so casually.

Pierce is every inch the arrogant, bored prince, waiting imperiously for his subjects to do as they’re told.

“Same.” North flicks open the buckles on his holster. “We’re innocent. Now go ask Isidora and Mathias to make you the same offer.”

Michael stares at both books, his eyes flickering to me. “The Librarian could interfere.”

That’s dangerously close to the truth. Ice runs down my spine, but I force myself to affect an air of aggravation as I reply, “I’m either incapable of casting a truth spell, or I’m able to create such an immaculate forgery that arcanists with years of experience are unable to tell the difference.” I tut. “You’re grasping at straws. Insulting my office,again, in an effort to spare your pride because you know there’s nothing to find. Continuing to engage in this farce is just further tarnishing enforcement’s reputation.”

“Protecting the innocent from necromancy is not a farce. It’s justice.”

I offer him a sad smile as his agents take their chances. Two of them rush forward to grab the offered grimoires. “Justice is rarely on the side of those weaponizing the law to silence dissent.”

The crowd filling the Rotunda holds its breath as the soldiers place the offered grimoires on the floor, their own beside them. Spells fill the silence, so fast and harried that it’s clear I’m not the only one affected by the heavy threat of violence in the air.

I hang on every incantation. Cataloguing each one to ensure it was one I tested.

I spent days layering that grimoire with Pierce’s magic. The book is a perfect mimic. I borrowed his preferred ink for authenticity. His magical signature saturates every page, carefully replicated thanks to our bond.

There are only two spells I know of that might detect a difference. Both of them require Pierce to actually cast from the book. Enforcement rarely bothers with such measures, given the opportunity it presents for a suspect to attack, but they’re more motivated than usual.

It’s the best imitation I could conjure. Near perfect.

I can only hope it’s enough.

Michael watches with a frown on his face, examining North and Pierce like he might find evidence of their guilt in their expressions.

He won’t.

North is completely innocent, and Pierce is a very good liar. Thank goodness no one can hear my heart thundering, or it would give us all away.

After an age, the enforcer working on North’s pulls back with a head shake.