Page 39 of Salem’s Rise

“I met with Professor Endicott last week. I’m researching the founding history of Salem’s Fall. The witch trials. Local occult traditions.” I hesitate, watching for recognition. “I’m particularly interested in a secret society called the Order of the Veil.”

Her expression shifts immediately. “Oh, yes. The Veil.”

The ease of her response surprises me.

“You’ve heard of it?”

“My dear, we librarians know everything. We simply have the good sense not to discuss most of it out loud.” She grins as she turns toward her computer and begins typing. “We do have a small collection on the subject. Professor Hargrove’s family donated his occult library after his untimely death years ago. Very gruesome business, I’m afraid.”

I know I shouldn’t ask, but I can’t stop myself.

“How did he die?”

“Disemboweled himself, unfortunately.” Her mouth tightens with distaste. “He was all alone in his occult shop. Cute little place downtown called The Wandering Raven. No one ever found out why. Not an easy thing to do, you know, gutting oneself. Very unpleasant. But, alas, that was long ago.” She pauses, looking at me over the top of her glasses. “Why are you interested in the Veil, dear?” There is suspicion in the question, though not much. Mostly I see concern on her face.

I let my expression soften and decide half-truths with a heavy focus on sympathy are the way to go.

“My older brother went missing last year,” I say, and her face changes immediately. I already know I have her. “I really miss him. He went to school here too and was researching the town’s history for a game he designed. He was fascinated by the founding of Salem’s Fall and all the occult business, especially the Veil. I was hoping reading what he enjoyed might help me understand him better. Might… I don’t know… make me feel closer to him?”

“Oh, my sweet dear.” She presses one hand to her chest. “You’re Josh Mercer’s sister, aren’t you?”

I blink. “You knew him?”

“Of course I did. He was here constantly last fall. Such a nice young man, always in a cheerful mood.” Her gaze drifts toward the stairwell to the left of us. “He was often with Eleanor, you know. They spent a lot of time on the second floor in the Special Collections room.”

I lean in closer.

“Eleanor Graves?”

“Yes, such a lovely girl. Very conscientious.” The librarian lowers her voice as if someone might overhear us. “I always suspected she had something of a crush on your brother.”

Now that the possibility has been raised, the idea that Eleanor might’ve had a thing for Josh feels strangely obvious. Josh hadn’t mentioned any women while he was at school, but Josh rarely did. Women were always chasing after him, though he was usually too busy with one thing or another to pay them much attention.

“They were… friends?”

“She admired him, certainly. Probably wanted more.” She shrugs. “After he disappeared, she was devastated. Kept searching the request logs, checking old records, asking whether anything had been returned under the wrong account.” Her expression clouds. “I was terribly sorry to hear about her death. Such a tragedy.”

I swallow against the sudden tightness in my throat. Poor Eleanor.

“Is there any way to see what Josh checked out? Or anything Eleanor may have held for him?” I pitch my voice lower, trying to sound conspiratorial and a little embarrassed. “I know there are probably rules. I’d just love to see what he was reading. It would mean a lot.”

“Of course, dear,” she says. “Let me see what I can do.”

She types for several moments, then steps back from the desk and frowns at the screen. “I don’t understand,” she says, shaking her head at the computer. “This is very odd.”

My pulse quickens. “What’s wrong?”

“I can see the titles your brother last checked out, but our records show the collection was transferred.”

“To where?” I ask.

She adjusts her glasses. “Looks like it went to the private archive at Blackthorn Manor.”

“All of it?”

“Nearly.” She scrolls farther. “There is one title still on campus. It was checked in shortly before—” She stops. “Yes. Eleanor had it last.”

My throat tightens.