Page 52 of Librarian

The cars are drawing closer. I’m almost grateful because I don’t have the patience to listen to anymore of his crap.

“You want to apologise?”

He nods tersely.

“Then shut up and use the divination spells in your grimoire to keep an eye on Isidora.”

If she’s here to intimidate the McKinleys, she’ll be out of luck. If she’s here searching for Kyrith, we can’t let her find proof that she’s here. And if she learns that Anthea is in the dungeon, there’ll be hell to pay.

Better she thinks the clan is as isolated as ever.

I shove past Leo, taking the steps down three at a time. Halinor is by the gates, listening to one of her sons as he gesticulates with both hands. There’s an illusion embedded in the walls, hiding the occupants of the fort from anyone looking in, but the old parriarch is eyeing the portcullis like she’s considering going out there to tell Isidora to get fucked.

To make matters worse, Kyrith appears, surrounded by the others. None of them are dressed for this weather. They’ve come straight from the gym, and she’s already shivering.

With a sigh, I shrug my coat from my shoulders, only for Leo to get there first, offering out his.

Lambert snatches it from him, wrapping Kyrith in it before she can protest.

Her fingers sink into the thick wool, but she doesn’t wrap herself tighter in the fabric. If anything, she looks uncomfortable in it. Briefly, I debate replacing it with my own, but the cars are getting closer. This isn’t the time.

“What’s the plan?” Pierce asks, staring at the approaching convoy.

“Find out what Isidora wants, then tell her to fuck off,” Halinor replies easily.

“Simple. Effective. I like it.” Lambert offers her a grin, and I sigh.

“I’m coming with you,” Jasper insists. “As your heir, I should be there.”

“You’re our parriarch,” Halinor corrects. “So, I would expect nothing less. The rest of you, especiallyyou”—she pins Pierce with a look—“stay here. The last thing we need is her accusing us of harbouring her children.”

It’s a wise move, but Kyrith bristles. Thankfully, Jasper is as in tune with our girl as ever and pulls her close, kisses her forehead, and murmurs something too quietly for us to hear.

“Penny for them?” I ask as he pulls away, and I take his place.

The familiar question drags a half smile from her, but it’s gone too fast.

She lets me hold her as she draws her grimoire free and sets it to floating in the air.

“Is Isidora here for her children? For me? Or to kill Halinor like she did Georgina?” she muses as she draws a pen from behind her ear and starts inking a new line into the book.

The runeform she’s working on is a powerful protective spell. I take the hint, summoning my own grimoire down from the wall and flicking through the pages.

“Given how angry they were when we got you out of there, I’m guessing she’s here for you,” North says, echoing my thoughts. “But if she tries anything, she’s getting a fireball to the face. She deserves it.”

“I should never have taught you that spell,” Kyrith mutters under her breath. “This is a delicate situation. Try to keep the fire to a minimum, at least until we have some answers.”

Eddy rolls her eyes. “She’s lucky I can’t cast destruction spells, or she’d be toast already.”

The twins are already on the offensive. Rightfully so.

I want nothing more than to crush the cars now, kill Isidora, and be done with it.

But Kyrith is already shaking her head. I trust her wisdom more than my thirst for vengeance.

“Isidora wouldn’t approach a stronghold like this without reason. It reeks of provocation, especially if violence breaks out. If I had to guess, she’s fishing for something she can use to justify moving against Clan McKinley. As of right now, she has no legitimate cause, so she’ll try to manufacture one. In fact, if I were you, I’d use everything at my disposal to beat her at her own game. She’s spent decades playing the just and responsible leader. If we can get proof that she isn’t what she seems, we might be able to turn some of her own house against her.”

Halinor looks at Jasper, leaving the final decision to him.