Page 96 of Librarian

I grimace. “When is Piercenotgiving someone an earful?”

He’s not exactly famous for his sunny disposition, though I did learn to appreciate some of his sarcasm when I was last imprisoned by his family.

It was either that or go mad.

Benny inclines his head, though his eyes remain closed. “My grandson has had a hard life, thanks mostly to my mistakes. Despite that, he’s a good man, one I’m proud to have raised. I’m very much looking forward to seeing who he becomes when all of this is over.” He pauses. “It would do me good to see him laugh once or twice before I die.”

“How hard did you hit your head?”

“Being a little bit delusional is one of the few privileges of ageing,” he quips. “Besides, I never thought he’d make friends, and yet…” He waves a hand in my direction. “Here we are.”

I huff under my breath. “He’s not the worst.”

Benny’s answering smile is smug. “I’ll try to remember that when he’s scolding me later.”

Twenty-Eight

Kyrith

“The Cotswolds?” North grumbles under his breath. “Figures an evil undead wanker must feel right at home with all the celebs and politicians.”

I raise my eyebrows at him and make a slashing gesture across my throat. The four of us might be in our own little bubble of invisibility, but Mathias has covered his home with alarms and wards.

It took me ten minutes just to create a gap in the protective spells around the perimeter.

I’m still antsy because the other three aren’t here. Pierce, Lambert, and Leo have taken the arguably more dangerous task of freeing Benny before his execution. Now worry for them is a Gordian knot in my gut, one that winds tighter with every step.

Thud.

I jump, but it’s just Dakari’s grimoire snapping closed. I squeeze through the hole in the hornbeam hedge after him, followed by Eddy, with North bringing up the rear. Once ourentire group is through, Dakari waves a hand and branches return, erasing any proof of our trespassing.

On the other side is a manicured lawn, and beyond it, the country manor where Jasper should be. In North’s hand is a tiny compass which I enchanted last night. It points straight at the main house.

My job is to keep us so well-hidden that Mathias doesn’t notice we’re right under his nose. Most of my attention is caught up in directing the flow of magic through my grimoire. That’s good. It means I can’t fret as Dakari leads us around the edge of the manor, peeking in windows as he goes.

Eddy sticks so close to me that our sides brush.

North didn’t want to bring his sister. He only agreed when I pointed out that he’d be with her, and that she’s the only person in our group who can’t be controlled by the dagger.

If we go up against Mathias, her job is to cast the transport spell that will get us all out of there, using the beacon I’ve already set up for her. It will probably wipe out her magical reserves, but that’s why it’s our last resort.

The men in front of us stop beneath a bay window, and my heart skips a beat as they exchange a look.

“What?” I whisper.

“It’s the study,” Dakari murmurs. “But there’s a revenant in there, and… Jasper isn’t conscious.”

“We prepared for that,” I remind him. “We won’t leave without him.”

“You will,” Dakari objects. “You promised to go back to the cottage, without arguing, if Mathias showed up.”

I grit my teeth but acquiesce. “Fine.”

It’s logical. It doesn’t mean I have to like it.

We’re counting on Mathias attending the execution, making this the arguably less dangerous mission. That was precisely thereason I suggested Dakari should accompany the others to find Benny, but he wouldn’t hear of it.

The man is annoyingly protective.