Page 16 of Librarian

How very like him to do big brother shit when I didn’t even know hewasmy big brother.

“I’m ready.” Jasper scrubs his fingers through his beard and looks at the back of the sofa like it pains him.

“About time.” Eddy shoves out of her seat. “I have some words for this knobhead.”

“As do I.” Dakari shifts, cracking his fingers one by one. “I’m almost done. Check him for any other ensorcellments too, while you’re at it.”

“I did that before you got here,” Jasper says. “There are wee’uns here. I wasnae taking chances.”

He picks his way around the furniture until he’s staring down at Leo, grimoire still floating beside him. My feet move, and I’m beside him before I really know what I’m doing.

“Will it hurt?” I ask grudgingly.

“Not enough.” Jasper’s hand flattens on the runeform. “It’s mostly just…crushing. He deserves worse.”

I run a hand through my hair, fingers catching in my braids. I can’t disagree, but…yeah.

Jasper’s mouth thins, then he forces his jaw to unclench so he can cast.

I don’t recognise the incantation, not that I expected to. This is advanced spell work. Difficult magic, even for a master.

It’s the kind of thing Kyrith could do with her eyes closed. A bead of sweat forms at Jasper’s hairline as golden light turns to smoke, heading for my brother’s hands. It sinks into his skin, and Leo jerks on the sofa, giving a low groan. Is Jasper sure this doesn’t hurt? Maybe Kyrith cast something to numb the pain when she did it? Either that, or the Scot is being rough on purpose…

Leo twitches again, hands balling into fists.

The others flank us just as my brother’s eyes fly open. His jaw snaps shut as he regains consciousness, but the pain rages behind his pinprick pupils.

“Is it almost over?” I ask.

Jasper, of course, can’t answer. He’s too busy finishing the spell.

When he finally staggers back, I catch him. He sways once, then recovers, patting me on the arm in thanks.

On the couch, Leo’s face scrunches up. Each muscle in his body methodically relaxes one by one, like he’s intentionally collecting himself. Eventually, he blows his breath out between pursed lips and shoves into a sitting position.

It doesn’t last.

He’s forced back down as Dakari swoops in from behind, shoving him into the cushions. Leo fights, but North and I are already there, pinning him. I have his wrists, and as much as he tries, he’s not getting away.

He would never let a Talcott cast this spell, so there’s no way we’re giving him a say in the matter.

It barely takes any effort. He’s pathetically thin, like he’s starved himself.

Nope. Not feeling pity for him.

“Rimuvi thoscarsi, ginire tou nel biguni…”Dakari chants, one hand on Leo’s curse mark.

“FECK!” Leo screams as the magic battles across his skin, the red turning black, then back to red. “WATCH YER FECKING—ACKH.”

His words cut off like he’s being strangled.

The red light turns searing. I have to shut my eyes or risk being blinded. Even then, it stabs through my eyelids.

I count to five after Dakari finishes the incantation, ears straining for anything beyond the sound of our laboured breathing before I dare a peek.

The runeform is gone. Nothing more than the faintest pink lines across his skin to suggest it was ever there to begin with.

And Leo… Leo is staring at his chest like he’s completely unable to comprehend what just happened.