In another life, they could’ve been actors. The performance they’re putting on is certainly award-worthy.
“I’ll see myself out,” Dakari says, heading for the door. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Stiffness is written into his every pore. What’s his plan? He was determined to find Kyrith’s grimoire, and he’s not the type to give up.
I suppose now would be as good a time as any to sneak around the house while everyone is distracted.
“Pierce, a word,” my mother snaps, voice barbed in a way that tells me this isn’t her first attempt to get my attention. “Now.”
My nod is a little too jerky, but my mother adapts, faux concern gracing her features. “Officer, I’ll speak with you in a moment. My son comes first, as I’m sure you understand.”
The other woman gives a small bow, oblivious to the way my mother’s nails stab into my forearm as she tugs me from the room.
Isidora keeps her lips sealed as she leads me up the stairs, to her office. The only noise is her heels clacking against the floor. I half expect her to step behind her desk, but the moment the door shuts she rounds on me.
“I am giving you one chance,” she says as the wards prickle into place. “And I don’t care if it breaks the covenant. Tell me, what connection do you have to the Arcanaeum?”
My hands slip into my pockets, the motion calculated and casual. “What? We just lost Anthea and Abe Talcott’s death hasn’t even been announced. Surely the Arcanaeum is the least of our concerns. We need to solidify your claim to the…”
I trail off as her eyes harden into flinty daggers. “Don’t be ridiculous. My ascension is a big step, but Mathias is next in line for the position. He’s moving against the Librarian tonight. Once he’s regained control of that building, my life is in danger unless I have leverage.”
My stomach drops through the floor, panic narrowing my vision.
“He’s moving against her tonight?”
“Have you been paying attention?” she demands. “Mathias didn’t invite the Ó Rinn heir here for polite conversation. He’s being secretive, but he has someone on the inside. The Librarian is going to fall. We need an edge when she does. Something big enough to keep our family safe.”
“But why?—?”
Her hand whips out, ring catching my lip and drawing blood.
“I’m not asking you again. If you’re not willing to make such a small sacrifice to keep our family on top, then you don’t deserve to stand with us.” At my incredulous look, she huffs. “Honestly, any of your cousins would kill for this opportunity. I need an heir, but it doesn’t have to be you or your sister.”
And there’s the crux of it.
I’m expendable unless I’m loyal and useful. Right now, she’s doubting my loyalty, and I have little to offer her beyond power. My bond to the Arcanaeum isn’t even unique. There’s another man in the dining room below with the same connection. One who would do anything she asked for a cure.
It would be so easy to set me up. That officer is undoubtedly on her payroll. She’d simply tell the enforcers I confessed under interrogation. A look at my grimoire will prove me as guilty as Anthea.
Disobedience now will only end with me locked in the cellar and then executed shortly after.
My hand fists on the paper in my pocket, but when my words come, they’re soft with guilt.
“The bond between me and the Librarian…”
Forty-Three
Kyrith
The first indicator that something is wrong is the brush against the wards.
I’m so caught up in checking my work that I don’t notice. I’ve done it. The victory rings hollow as I sit on the floor of the Astrology Room and recheck the incantation that will set an entire family free. I’ve made a dozen copies, all lined up on my desk and ready to go in the morning.
This is a good thing. A wonderful thing. But I can’t really feel any relief or joy in my accomplishment, because it’s too late. Leo is already at that dinner, already betraying me for no reason. It rankles that I have the solution righthereand yet?—
The brush happens again, sparking another warning bristle of the Library’s defences. I sit up straighter against the arm of Leo’s chair, the runeforms scattered on the rug around me fluttering in response.
Oh. Someone’s knocking?
