Page 62 of Harbinger

I bristle at this, but I don’t dare to move. As if I’ve done something worthy of attention. As if I committed a crime instead of the Stars marking me.

“She seems very interested in heart collectors,” he continues.

“Isn’t everyone?” Bishop sounds tired. I hold my breath, hoping they’ll say more, hoping he’ll admit the monsters aren’t real. “Come on. I want to show you something I read about scions.”

My eyebrows shoot up. What the hell is a scion? And why does it warrant study in the middle of the night?

“Now?” Taliesin groans. “It’s nearly one.”

“I had no idea it was past your bedtime.” A chair pushes back. “Come on. It’s in the library. I want your opinion. It might be what’s messing with the magic in Florentia.”

“Vessica is the smart one,” Taliesin says.

“So smart that she’s in bed. I just want a …” Bishop’s voice fades into the corridor. I resist the urge to follow, too haunted by what I just heard. I take the narrow staircase near the rear entrance instead, cringing every time it creaks.

Bishop doesn’t know what to do with me.

And they both think I’m dangerous.

I am not sitting around waiting for Bishop to murder me.

A breakfast tray is at my door, and I devour most of it while I change into one of the old uniforms Lenora left, ignoring the dresses she also found. Mostly because the uniform includes a high-lacing collar that covers where the very top of my mark’s wings peek. The shirt is embroidered with intersecting lines in a delicate silver thread, so fine that the patterns it creates catch the light one moment and disappear the next. Likely some type of protection magic woven into the garment itself. Paired with the thick military-issue pants and boots, it’s clothing fit to explore the estate, both inside and out.

Bishop will have been up with the sun. That’s one thing soldiers and farmers have in common. My family will have been dressed and off to work hours ago.

Ignoring a twinge of guilt, I arm myself with the letters I wrote them last night when getting back to sleep proved impossible. I creep into the hall. If anyone catches me snooping in the wrong place, I’ll claim I’m looking for a spot to post them.

As soon as I step out of the bedroom, I pause to listen for nearby activity. But the house is quiet save for the distant chime of the astronomical clock that seems to give up halfway through its count of the hour.

My first stop: the off-limits western wing. Places are only forbidden if there’s something worth hiding inside them.

It’s situated on the opposite side of the estate from the room I’ve been given, and the security isn’t subtle. The double doors are barred with a black iron lock. There’s no keyhole, only faint nochtimetric lines like the ones I tried to thwart on Bishop’s trunk in the palace. I jiggle the handle anyway, just in case luck is on my side.

It isn’t.

Leaning in, I press my ear against the smooth wood.

Why bother telling me the wing is off-limits if Bishop has it locked up like a dungeon?

I could try to guess the pattern—because that worked so well with his trunk—but I don’t want to get caught before I know what I’m looking for.

Time for plan B.

Thanks to my late-night escapade, I know something in the library might have answers. Or just raise more questions. But I’ll take either at this point.

Lenora warned me not to visit the room after dark. Luckily, the sun is shining. But as I reach the stairs, I see its doors closing behind someone. It has to be Bishop.

Apprehension hits me as I approach them. Like nearly every surface in this place, a horned wolf is carved into each, both snarling like they know exactly why I’m here. I swallow, wishing I’d pocketed a pastry to nibble on for my nerves.

Maybe Bishop collects forbidden books. Maybe he’s stolen half the ones inside. Even if I don’t find answers, I might gain leverage to use against him. If someone is in there, I’ll make up an excuse, but my fingers tremble as I reach for the knob.

The sound of approaching footsteps sends me flying back a few steps.

“What are you up to?” Bishop asks.

Taliesin is by his side.

If they’re here, who just went inside the library?