That doesn’t sit well with me, and I refuse to make such a decision without his input.
“Doing so will keep the details of Mathias’s identity and his relation to the Arcanaeum under wraps, protecting you from scrutiny while still inspiring the parriarchs to vigilance,” Benny insists. “You can propose the Sanctuary as both a protective measure for the heirs after the murder of Josef, and for the Arcanaeum, which is obviously a target for any lich.”
There’s a long pause where I consider it.
“You could’ve brought this to me earlier,” I sigh. “Perhaps even dealt with Mathias by now.”
“I considered it. But I was certain the Arcanaeum would shut its doors and never admit another patron the moment I presented you with proof.”
I open my mouth to object, but Pierce’s disbelieving brow silences me.
“Mathias Ackland scares you,” Benny continues. “Rightfully so. But you had no reason to help the arcanists before you struck up friendships among us. By keeping you ignorant, I ensured I always had the upper hand, because I always knew what Mathias’s endgame was.”
Reclaiming the Arcanaeum.
“You would’ve used the Library as bait.”
He still might. The shelves straighten with righteous fury.
Benny’s face loses a little of his joviality as he responds. “I would do that and worse to protect my house, Librarian.”
“Like a true parriarchshould,” Pierce mutters. “Now. We’re leaving. How long until this potion wears off?”
I shrug. “An hour? Maybe two?”
He huffs. “Inconvenient, given that my mother expects me to return for lunch.”
“No. You ought to remain.” Benny stands, straightening his coat. “Unless Kyrith has a better plan?”
No, because I’ve not had the time to come up with one.
Unfortunately, I think I’ve been outvoted. I can feel the Arcanaeum making changes—big ones. It doesn’t take much guesswork to realise the clock tower just became several floors taller because it expects six new occupants.
Magic. I hoped I was done with everything spiralling out of control when the cracking stopped.
Apparently not.
Twenty-Two
Kyrith
Leading Pierce across the parapet seems like an admission of failure.
I went into that meeting smug in the certainty that I had the upper hand. I drugged their tea and read all that I could about liches. Now, I’m reeling. On top of all those revelations, I’ve now got to come to terms with the possibility that I might have six housemates by the end of this—seven, if North decides to drag Eddy back here.
“It’s magiball night tonight,” I find myself saying, just to fill the stiff silence. “There won’t be much time to get you settled in.”
Magic, the tower is so much bigger than it was before. Previously, it narrowed towards the top, but that’s changed. Now it rises straight and true into the night, taller than ever. The great round clock faces also seem larger, and I dread to think what that means for my bedroom.
When I push open the door, the shelves and small snug from before have been replaced with a large, open-plan livingarea. Somehow, the Library has managed to fit a kitchen, a dining table, and a huge corner sofa into the new space. There’s still a comforting mixture of stained-glass windows, bookshelves, and a few of the Arcanaeum’s random doors tucked into the space. The stairs have switched to rest against the far wall, and there’s even a massive Chesterfield armchair that I suspect Leo will take over as soon as he sees it.
I can picture North sprawled across the settee, Lambert baking in the kitchen, and Dakari and Jasper with their heads pressed together at the large island.
All in all, it’s homey.
Then I catch the hum of electricity and freeze.
Is that a modern fridge? And a freezer? Oh, magic. That’s an induction hob and,worse…a television.
