I exit the pub with a last glare at Leo.
Has he even considered what this will do to Kyrith? To his own brother? And meeting with Anthea alone, when we were specifically told to be cautious because of this new bond to the Library, is beyond reckless.
Ó Rinns never think about anything other than that damned curse and themselves. Now he’s going to hand over his family to Mathias.
“Stupid idiot,” I mutter under my breath, dropping the invisibility spell as I stride back along the cobbles towards where I last saw Eddy. I burst into the craft store, ready to drag her back to the Arcanaeum…
Only to freeze.
She’s not here.
Oh of all the times for her to wander off! Why am I here playing bodyguard for a witless liminal while my sister drags Leo into a deal with the devil? Couldn’t Eddy just stay put if she was done?
Ignoring the first splats of rain against my face, I cast my gaze up and down the street, searching. I check the café, where my cold coffee still waits, along with Eddy’s bags.
Nothing.
Not even a hint of that ugly cardigan.
Something cold grabs my guts and squeezes.
Damn it. I promised I’d keep her safe.
I rub my thumb over the tiny runeform I swore I’d never use. It’s etched into the underside of one of my buttons, and the metal heats as I shove as much magic into it as possible. I don’t care if my grandfather is busy with the Librarian. That girl is the perfect pawn to lure North out of hiding. Her disappearance could hand Mathias the Ackland parriarchy.
My grandfather steps out of a shop to my left, and I cringe as I see Kyrith staring out of the portal before it slams shut. Great. Please don’t tell me he told her I called for help.
“What’s the matter?” he asks as soon as he reaches my side.
“Anthea is here, and Edlynn Ackland is missing.”
His eyes sharpen. “What do you mean, missing? I was under the impression?—”
“I was supposed to be keeping an eye on her, yes.” I scour the street again. “But I saw Anthea and had to know what she was up to.”
“And in the process of following one woman, you lost another.” He sighs, casting his gaze up and down the high street. “I’ll walk north; you walk south.”
“I’m going to burn her stupid craft supplies when I find her,” I grumble under my breath.
I’m so busy scanning the people around us for Eddy that I don’t notice the man following me until I’m shoved roughly from behind. Who the?—?
In the blink of time it takes me to look back, a pulse of magic smacks into my front.
“You know, son, I was wondering when you’d leave that infernal library.” My mother’s voice cuts like a blade, but I can’t move. “Imagine my surprise when I found you here, of all places.”
Stars.Benny. Where is he? Did she see us together?
I should’ve thought about the stupid ensorcellment at the base of my spine before I agreed to take Eddy out.
“The Librarian sent me on a ridiculous errand,” I say, forcing the panic down deep, where she won’t see it. “If you wanted me, you only had to send word. I’m at your disposal.”
My body straightens, following the will of the woman in front of me. I’m too aware of the presence at my back, no doubt an associate of Mathias, here to keep an eye on things.
The man trusts no one, least of all my mother.
“What errand?” she finally snaps.
“Finding the Ó Rinn heir,” I lie easily. “He left the Arcanaeum a few days ago and hasn’t returned.”
