Page 6 of Librarian

He must’ve been in the middle of a run when all of this started, and now he’s half-naked in Jasper’s family kitchen, already shivering because we’re in fucking Scotland and it’s January. With a last look at the door, I rip off my hoodie and chuck it around his shoulders.

Even from this distance I can hear the repetitive buzz of the phone ringing on the other end.

“Pick up,” Lambert pleads.

“Who are you calling?” Jasper voices what I’m thinking.

“Dakari. He?—”

“He’s having dinner with the Carltons,” I remind him, shaking my head, but it doesn’t stop Lambert redialling when he hits voicemail.

“They must’ve finished by now. He’s the one who told Kyrith to lock the place. Maybe he can figure out how we can get back in.”

“He’s not answering,” I point out.

“We can’t just do nothing!”

My hands ball into fists, and I turn back to the door. Then I catch the look in Jasper’s father’s eye and think better of it. Fuck. If knocking was going to work, it would’ve by now.

The only other person who might be able to find a way in is currently out cold on the floor.

Lambert must read my mind because he glowers down at Leo, then bends and slaps his cheek lightly.

“Wake up!”

“Leave him,” Jasper grumbles.

“He might be able to get us back inside.”

But he doesn’t even stir. The mark on his chest continues to pulse like a heartbeat. No one needs to tell me that’s a bad sign.

“Boys,” Jasper’s mother broaches. “Whatever happened, the clan will help sort it. I’ll go and wake your aunt Halinor, and while I do that, you three can repair my kitchen.”

There’s a thread of steel in the suggestion that reminds me of our Librarian, and something in my chest twists painfully.

Kyrith was in agony, and she sent us away when we could’ve helped.

I glare at Leo’s unconscious body on the floor. “If this was his fault…” I trail off.

“I’ll kill him myself,” Lambert swears flatly.

Three

Pierce

My lip still stings, which is a ridiculous thing to notice while watching the light slowly fade from Kyrith’s beautiful doe-brown eyes. Unfortunately, I learned long ago that focusing on one tiny hurt makes it easier to endure my mother’s torture spells.

My knees are locked. It’s the only reason I manage to stay on my feet as the Librarian’s lips part on a final breath. The last warm air from her lungs turns to vapour in the chill that’s settled over the Vault. Her eyes flutter closed just as the pool of her blood finally breaches the edge of the altar, cascading down to the floor in a river of red.

Her begging is still ringing in my ears.

I couldn’t do anything. I thought?—

No. Trying to move would’ve just led to my collapsing from the pain. I wouldn’t have saved her. At best, we’d both be dead. I couldn’t have done anything. Icouldn’t.

The flames around us flicker, dimming until they’re completely extinguished. We’re plunged into darkness. Mymother summons a handful of wisplights that float around us. She must’ve used a scrap because the pain zapping down my spine doesn’t let up.

It takes seconds for Kyrith to bleed out.