Page 207 of Librarian

Into place, in this instance, means lying on the altar, putting myself directly under the spire.

He doesn’t have to apologise. Minimising the distance the power has to travel is a sensible way to avoid wastage. It’s important for the efficacy of the spell.

And when I slide onto the granite, I’m not afraid.

This is the opposite of the ritual that killed me. I’m surrounded by men who love me. Arcanists who spent weeks refurbishing the Arcanaeum, and even longer working on a spell to bring me back. It’s been well over a month since I disappeared, and they haven’t stopped trying.

They could’ve grieved and moved on. They could’ve given up a hundred times over.

And none of them ever so much as whispered that they might want to.

I settle into place, then aim a miniscule burst of power towards the button on the floor.

“Yes.”

The recorded voice echoes in the Vault, bouncing around the cavernous space.

One by one, the heirs cut their palms, layering them over one another between the tip of the spire and my chest.

I put my own on either side of theirs, wishing I could feel my heart pounding. It’s not necessary, but it keeps me sane to pretend like I can still touch them.

Please, stars, let this work.

They exchange a look and then pick up the chant.“Shi oslu vid, ritarn misu almeti…”

Magic slams into me like a dagger punch to the heart. Burning, oily, ecstatic, beautiful magic.

It’s not pleasant. Far from it. It’s overwhelming in a way that makes me want to fling myself away to escape. I grit my teeth against the rush. I won’t move. I mustn’t.

Seconds pass in hours; the five repetitions of the incantation seem to take years as I claw at the stone, eyes squeezed shut.

At first, I don’t notice that they’ve stopped. I’m too busy lying there, panting as Eddy slams restorative draughts into their hands.

“No more today.” I heave myself away, rolling over the edge and floating down to the floor in a heap. “Please. That…I need a break.”

North—who’s closest to where I’ve landed—jerks his head up, staring in my direction.

“Kyrith?”

My hand rises to my throat. “Can you see me?”

But his eyes don’t track my movements as I shift from side to side. My shoulders slump.

“Guess that was too much to hope for after just one go.”

“You’ve got to speak up,” he says. “I can barely hear you.”

“I can’t hear anything,” Dakari adds. “Is your head okay?”

“You can hear her?” Lambert is there, shoving North aside. “Boss!? Yell at us like we broke some of your rules.”

His voice is getting louder, likehe’sthe one they’re all struggling to hear, and I groan as the others start asking questions at once.

They definitely won’t hear me over this racket they’re making.

“YOU’RE ALL INSANE!” I bellow right back. “AND YOUDIDBREAK THE RULES!”

“Definitely heard that one.” Dakari leans away, wincing.