A sudden gust of wind sent a wooden sign swinging gently on its iron post, catching her attention.
Relics and Refinements.
She slowed, her eyes tracing the elegant, looping script of the shop’s name. Something about it made her hesitate. It was nothing special, just another tucked-away storefront among dozens, but she felt a strange pull toward it, like her feet wanted to move before her mind could decide. Instead, she turned to the path ahead, toward the library—where she might finally start making sense of all the unanswered questions. Whatever drew her toward that shop would have to wait. But even as she walked away, the feeling remained, like she had just brushed against something important… Something waiting for her to return.
“Excuse me!” Evelyne called out to a young woman draped in a white cloak, her fingers delicately tracing the silver charms displayed at one of the market stalls.
The woman turned, her brows knitting together in mild confusion as she took in Evelyne’s unfamiliar face.
“Could you point me toward the library?”
“Of course, miss,” she said, offering a polite nod before gesturing. “It’s just one street over, then turn left after the baker’s shop.” She returned to the charms with a brief smile as if the interruption had never happened.
“Thank you,” Evelyne replied, already moving in the direction given.
The library loomed ahead, its towering presence impossible to miss. Evelyne barely had to search for it—the sheer height of the structure made it stand out against the surrounding buildings like an ancient sentinel.
Stepping inside, she instinctively pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, clutching her carpet bag as a shiver rippled over her skin. The air inside was cooler than expected, and a quiet hush wrapped around her like a spell. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched into the dimly lit space, each filled with texts that seemed to whisper their own stories.
At the front desk, an elderly librarian sat hunched over a book, her gnarled fingers slowly tracing the text as if committing every word to memory. Evelyne hesitated before stepping forward, clearing her throat.
The librarian barely lifted her gaze. “Yes?” she murmured.
Evelyne reached into her bag and placed the book on the counter.
That got her attention.
The woman’s pale, piercing eyes flicked up, meeting Evelyne’s with quiet intensity. Slowly, she straightened, her eyes shifting between Evelyne and the book.
“You are his sister.”
Evelyne tried to contain her shock. How could she possibly know that? She must see dozens of books and countless borrowers each day. And yet, she recognizedthisbook. And somehow recognizedher.
Evelyne opened her mouth, searching for words, but nothing came. The librarian seemed to sense her confusion.
“You have the same eyes.”
Evelyne swallowed hard. “Yes.” She paused, then asked, “Do you recognize this book?”
The librarian nodded.
“My brother borrowed this from here. I was hoping you could tell me anything you know about it, or anything he said or did while he was here.”
Silence stretched between them.
Evelyne exhaled sharply, trying again. “I just… I need to understand why he pickedthisbook. Did he say anything about it?” Her words tumbled out too fast, bordering on desperate.
The older woman tapped her fingers against the book’s worn cover. “I like to believe the books in this library choose the reader rather than the reader choosing the book.”
Evelyne’s eyes dropped to the book beneath the woman’s hand, an uneasy feeling creeping through her.
The librarian’s voice dropped lower, almost conspiratorial. “This book is calling to you, too… isn’t it?”
Evelyne stiffened. That was ridiculous. Completely mad. And yet… she couldn’t ignore the truth of it. The book felt warm against her skin when she touched it, as though it had been waiting for her all along. She pressed her lips together and shoved the book back into her bag, ignoring how her fingers tingled.
Evelyne exhaled sharply. “I’d like to extend the time on this book, if I may.” She wasn’t finished with it yet. Not even close.
The librarian gave a slow, sly smile. “Of course, dear. And before you leave, do visit my daughter’s shop—Relics and Refinements, just in the market.”
