Page 2 of Librarian

Creeping past the enforcers who still linger in the dark hallways takes time. Invisibility is great, but I’m still a big guy, and the corridors are swarming with officers gathering evidence.

Fortunately, I’ve been down to the cellar before, when I stumbled upon Jasper in the search for a different grimoire. This time, I’m ready for the alarm spell woven into the bottom step.

Fool me once and all that.

The two enforcers at the bottom of the stairs are new. Beyond them, a single corridor, lit by strip lights, permits access to the cells on either side. It’s not uncommon for parriarchs to be responsible for the imprisonment of criminals, but still… The sheer number of cells down here is concerning. At the far end is the one Jasper was kept in, but the light in there is off, so the hallway culminates in ominous darkness.

If I take another step, the nullification runes on the lintel above will strip away my invisibility and any other magic. I learned that the hard way last time.

So I draw two slumber scraps from my pockets, holding one in each hand as I hop over the alarmed step, landing with a muffled thud. My invisibility disappears. The sting of the magic being ripped away makes my teeth clench.

The officers’ eyes widen, and both men reach for their grimoires.

They’re not fast enough.

“Ancun scuasi.”

They drop to the ground with a clatter.

I stride over their bodies, heading for the cells, only to stop at the first one.

“Eddy?”

“Oh, thank God.” North’s sister shoves up from the tiny cot in the corner and rushes to the bars. “Get me out of here!”

“If you try to leave without me, I’ll scream so loudly that every enforcer in the house hears me,” Anthea interrupts, pressing herself against the bars of the cell beside Eddy’s until they crackle with warning magic.

She backs up, but her glare is poison.

“They’ve replaced me,” Eddy blurts. “The girl in the Library with Kyrith is a fake. It’s not me.”

Dread eats at my gut like acid as I take a step closer. Both women are dishevelled, even though Anthea has regained some of her usual composure now that there’s a possibility of escaping her execution. She’s even trying to comb back the wayward strands of her hair, as if fixing the physical mask will erase the cracks that were on full display in the dining room. Eddy’s clearly been here longer. Her hair is greasy, and her clothes are creased like she’s slept in them, but her eyes are bright with determination.

“I’m not leaving your ass behind,” I tell Anthea. “I came here for you, though I probably shouldn’t have bothered.” I flick through my grimoire, turning back to Eddy. “How long have you been down here?”

“I don’t know.” Eddy shuffles in place. “There are huge gaps in my memory, and?—”

“And the great Librarian didn’t even notice.” Anthea rolls her eyes. “Mathias replaced one of her liminal pets with a literal walking corpse, and she didn’t even?—”

“Either explain or shut up.” The pages of my book flicker in response to my agitation.

Somehow, Eddy has been replaced. Mathias’s puppet is sealed inside the Arcanaeum with Kyrith.

She’s in danger. That thought alone has my body half-turned towards the doorway, Eddy and Anthea be damned.

But the Arcanaeum is locked down. I’m shut out. Could I force my way into the Library? I’m not sure. Maybe if one of theothers were with me—if we’d had time to explore whatever bond we have to Kyrith and the building—I might be able to.

Without them, I have no chance.

Kyrith is strong. She’s taken precautions. I have to trust she’ll be fine. If she isn’t…

My jaw works, teeth grinding to dust in my mouth.

Anthea folds her arms. “Don’t be dense.” She waves a commanding hand at the bars. “I’m not about to just hand over everything I know. I want out of this cell—out of this house—before I tell you anything.”

“Kyrith needs her grimoire,” I tell Anthea. “Purple leather. Gold runeform on the cover. At least tell me if you’ve seen it?”

Anthea’s frown deepens. “It’s in the study safe. But you won’t get inside.”