“He did.” I clear my throat. “There were four quads, yes. Originally, they were simply gravel and grass. I…improved them, but they’re unsafe for patrons thanks to the mist, so they remain closed. I would not recommend trying to access any of them without me.”
They’ve become accustomed to crossing the parapet, butstill, it only takes one distraction for them to end up mindless and raving.
Unfortunately, someone chooses that moment to ring the bell in the Rotunda, and I groan.
“One second, someone’s at the desk.”
Thankfully, it’s a familiar group of patrons waiting for me. After hurriedly helping the elderly sisters find several options for their book club next month, I pop back to Kinetic Hall.
Eddy, North, Leo, and Lambert are already gathered by the small blank section of wainscoting at the far end. The only indication of what lies beyond is the slightly larger than usual window—the glass stained to hide the effect of the mist. As I reach forward, the illusion falls away. The runeform in the glass pulses once before it dissipates. A brass handle solidifies under my hand just as Dakari and Jasper round the corner. Pierce arrives from the opposite direction a moment later, but I don’t trust the way his eyes have lit up at the sight of the door. Evidently, neither does Dakari, because he puts himself between me and the Carlton heir.
Chivalrous, but unhelpful in this case.
“I was just reminding the others to avoid looking at the mist.” I aim the words in Pierce’s direction since he alone has yet to actually encounter it. “And that this part of the Arcanaeum remains off-limits unless you’re with me, for your own safety.”
There it is again, the tiny glint in his grey irises that has me mentally reviewing every locking spell I know as I turn the handle.
The garden hasn’t changed much. Previously, the centre was dominated by a huge fountain tribute to the Erinyes, but I did away with that to create the glass and metal solarium that now stands there. I’ve even managed to convince tangerine roses to bloom around the edges, and the picky flowers are fiendishly difficult to grow in themist.
The metal is a glossy black. The glass is stained in rich jewel tones, and I worked hard to make the structure blend with the existing architecture.
The result is beautiful. Some of my best work. I ghost ahead, opening the door to give me an excuse to look back and take in their expressions.
Leo is too busy poking at his chest through his jumper and looking into space to really appreciate my work. Dakari is only interested in me, his dark eyes tracking my every move, and Pierce is more interested in the stone walls and the mist, even though I expressly told him not to look at it.
Oh well. No great loss if he loses his sanity, I suppose.
“There’s no way we’re all fitting in there,” North grumbles, picking his way between the hundreds of pots that line the path. “I’ve seen bigger closets.”
Thankfully for my ego, Jasper and Eddy’s awe is open and unashamed. The McKinley heir even pauses when he passes an orchid of ease, the black blooms hanging down in great clumps from the pot by the door.
“Is that…?” he trails off. “Naw. Not here, surely?”
“It is.” I smile. “And you shouldn’t get too close.”
The plant produces pollen that will kill a man in seconds, but the sap can be distilled and used to treat all manner of anxious and depressive conditions. On second thoughts, perhaps I should move it to a different courtyard for safety. Orchid pollen may be dependent on pollinators rather than air dispersal, but the potential for tragedy is still there…
He gives it one last look before entering the solarium after Dakari. That leaves only…
“Pierce.” I tut. “I don’t have all day.”
The Carlton heir snaps around like I’ve struck him, then strides towards the door, lingering in front of me for a second, like he might say something.
At some point, we need to discuss what he showed us onthe projector. I tug at my sleeve, debating how to bring it up, but he disappears inside, and the moment is lost.
It can wait until after tutoring, I console myself, as I shut the door behind us. I’ll have to corner him alone. Having the others there won’t make him any more forthcoming, and I’d rather find out what he knows without all the bickering that comes when they’re together.
“Hey, Kyrith?” Lambert broaches. “This place is really great, but what about the covenant?”
Turning, I find them clustered in the middle of the mat-covered floor.
“Don’t worry about it. This is a separate building from the Library, and there are no books in here that you can damage.” I was careful when creating the structure to ensure that it was magically distinct from the Arcanaeum. “Now, you’ll need your grimoires out. Northcliff, you needbothhands for destruction magic.”
Every cell in my body groans as he stoops to put the book on the floor.
“Hover it,” I correct, the corners of my mouth turning down at his blatant hesitation. “Lambert can demonstrate.”
The Winthrop heir just blinks at me. “Erm, boss?”
