“They could be persuaded to stand against him. He attacked Jasper.”
“True, true. But with what allies? One house against all the rest barely stands a chance.”
“Then help me break the ensorcellment on Galileo Ó Rinn. That’s two out of six. Three if we can convince Georgina, we have the upper hand.”
“The Librarian proposing civil war? Now this is curious.”
“Not proposing, preparing. The only way it won’t come to that is if we find that phylactery before he plays his hand. Even then, Isidora might follow in his footsteps.”
Benny takes another long sip of his tea. “I’ve combed every place that he mentioned in the years we spent together. He doesn’t wear jewellery. Wherever that gem is, it’s well hidden.”
And Mathias can’t be killed unless we destroy it. I huff out an aggrieved breath, but I knew that already.
“Then our next best course of action is to undo his work with the parriarchs. We can start by recruiting Ó Rinn before he does.”
Benny studies me over the rim of his cup. “You seem confident that it can work.”
“We only need to free him. If we prove that it can be done, the rest of his house will follow. I have runeforms and incantations ready to destroy the second layer of the ensorcellment. I just need four arcanists with the skill to use them.”
His brows rise. “And you thought of me.”
Well, originally, I’d hoped to do it myself, but I still don’t have my grimoire, and we simply don’t have time to find it. Benny will make a passable replacement.
“You’re a restorationist. Traditionally, that discipline stems from an interest in nullification, and it’s master-level magic, indicating you’re a great deal more powerful than you’d have others believe.”
Every inch of Pierce’s grandfather is designed to give the impression of harmlessness, but he was once a parriarch.
“And your other choices?”
“Your grandson, Jasper McKinley, and Dakari Talcott.”
Leo insisted that he would find someone else. Idoubt he will. Whoever casts the spell needs to be powerful beyond the norm and proficient in the correct school of magic.
“Ah, and I take it you’re unable to help without your grimoire?”
Magic, this man knows everything. “What exactly was your relationship to Mathias Ackland?”
Benny’s smile grows. “I wondered when you’d ask me that question.”
He drains his teacup. “I’m happy to assist the Ó Rinn heir, of course. Do send word with the time of your choosing.” He plucks his bucket hat from the hook by the door. “And best of luck to you with the defence of the Library.”
“You’re leaving? Is the subject that terrible?”
“Truly abysmal. We’d need something a little stronger than tea to accompany the tales of my misguided youth. But that’s not the reason for my departure.” He pulls back the sleeve of the bright Hawaiian shirt he’s wearing to display several plain metal bracelets, one of which is thrumming with magic that I can feel, even from this distance.
“What does that mean?”
“My grandson is in trouble.” Benny laughs under his breath. “And it must truly be dire, because Pierce does not enjoy admitting he needs help.”
Pierce was supposed to be guarding Eddy. If something’s happened to her…
My blood turns to ice.
Thirty-Six
Pierce
Why on earth am I enduring this? I agreed to protect the liminal while she went shopping because I can’t stand being stuck in the Arcanaeum twiddling my thumbs for another second.
