Page 55 of Librarian

Glass tinkles as it falls. A tyre rolls away from the carnage. Isidora tracks its path as it bounces down the hill, her face curiously blank. If Mathias was inside, he must have transported out, leaving her with only the handful of arcanists around her for backup.

My gut sinks.

If they were fishing for information, then he’s got what he wanted. He left because he knows exactly where Kyrith is. I need to get her out of here. Now.

The certainty of the decision sours a second later. Where would we even go?

“Nice to know Mathias cares so much if you live or die,” Benny says. “Was it worth sacrificing both your children and your husband?”

Isidora’s free hand comes to rest on the gem around her throat, and I frown as she changes course, trying to hide the tell by tucking a wayward strand of hair out of her eyes.

Is that…? No. Surely, she wouldn’t?

Benny’s dismayed face assures me she most certainly would.

If that’s a phylactery, then she’s a lich.

“Our family didn’t need the likes of them, or you, polluting it,” she finally replies. “Tell me, is Anthea really in Cambridge? Or is she hiding back there with the rest of you?”

“Anthea wanted nothing to do with me,” Benny says, holding his hands up. “And even less to do with the mother who used her and then threw her to the wolves. Who knows where your children have ended up?”

Isidora scowls at him, the pages of her grimoire blurring as they turn. “Then I’m done wasting my time here. Have a good night, Father.”

That quickly, she’s gone, the rest of the Carltons following shortly after. I should be relieved, but I meet Jasper’s eyes over his aunt’s head and see my own dread reflected in them.

We might’ve scored a blow here, but I’m not sure we won this battle.

Sixteen

Kyrith

The entire clan is crushed into the hall. It’s loud, crowded, and nearly impossible to hear what anyone is saying. Jasper sits at the head of the immense table, Halinor on one side and Benny on his other, the two of them at each other’s throats.

Most of the heirs, Eddy, and I have managed to find seats at the main table, with the exception of Leo, who was shoved away when he tried to sit beside a scowling North. Now he stands on top of a table at the back of the hall, surveying the room quietly from his perch, alongside several of the more vocal McKinleys.

It’s chaotic, which isn’t helping the splitting headache that I’ve sported since I woke up. If there were any way I could slip out unnoticed, I would, but I’m sandwiched between Pierce on Benny’s other side and Dakari, whose shoulder I’m currently using as a pillow.

I had no idea how groggy a knockout spell could make you feel. As it is, I’ve barely processed Dakari’s clipped recounting of the conversation, or his revelation that Isidora may now also be a lich.

“You may as well have started a war!” Halinor accuses, and half of the room shouts in agreement.

“If you thought it would take anything less to stop my daughter, then you’re a batshit old fool,” Benny retorts. “Yes, I baited her. Because of that, you were able to stream Isidora’s murder of enforcement officers—an ingenious move on your part. She looks guiltier than ever, and she can’t blame their deaths on us as she planned. Wars are won and lost on public opinion.”

“She’s already calling it a fake.”

I rub a hand over my eyes, cringing as the volume rises all over again. I don’t blame them for defending Hazel. The poor girl has apparently been the subject of constant online abuse since she streamed Isidora killing those officers. Thankfully, her family is caring for her. Her phone is off for the foreseeable future. She’s strong.

I absolutely think she should never have been put at the centre of this, but at the same time, their yelling is killing me.

I miss my Arcanaeum. What I wouldn’t give to banish every one of them for shouting… It’s not even productive. What’s done is done. Would I have stopped Benny if I’d been aware of his plans? Probably. But I tend to be more cautious than most.

“And you freed Anthea,” Halinor adds. “You had no right to do that. She was a Clan McKinley prisoner and a proven necromancer!”

“One who gave up her grimoire and allowed me to remove all of her memories of the runeforms and spells she’d learned. She’ll remain in exile or suffer the consequences.”

So that’s what he’s been up to? Protecting Anthea?

“She was a vital source of information. We hadn’t finished interrogating her. As it is, no one has asked him whatheknows about his mother’s schemes.” Halinor points an arthritic finger at Pierce, and I stiffen.