"It's mostly data entry," Arthur said. "And shushing people. You seem like you'd be good at shushing people."
Amelia’s mouth dropped open. "Excuse me?"
"The pay is terrible," Arthur continued cheerfully. "And the basement smells like old soup. But it keeps you enrolled. And nobody comes down here, so you can cry in peace."
He pushed his glasses up his nose. "Think about it."
He turned and walked away, his cardigan flapping.
Amelia stared after him, stunned silence filling the aisle. She looked at the chocolate. Then she looked at me.
"Who is that?" she whispered.
"That," I said, suppressing a smile, "is Arthur. The Fire Safety Precaution."
Amelia picked up the chocolate bar. She peeled back the wrapper with trembling fingers and took a small, defiant bite.
"He's weird," she muttered. But she didn't throw the tissue box at his retreating back.
"He offered you a lifeline, Amelia," I said softly. "Take it."
She glared at me, the old fire flickering back to life. "I don't need your pity, Arden."
"It's not pity," I said, pushing off the shelf. "It's strategy. Marrow wants you gone. If you drop out, he wins. If you stay... you become a problem."
Amelia chewed slowly. A dark, calculating look entered her eyes. The mascara streaks were still there, but the hopelessness was gone, replaced by something jagged and sharp. Spite.
"I am a very good problem," she murmured.
"I know," I said. "I've seen your work."
"Fine," she snapped, standing up and smoothing her skirt. She stepped into her heels, wobbling only slightly. "I'll take the stupid job. I'll dust the stupid books. But if that Human speaks to me again, I'm eating him."
"He'd probably taste like cardigans," I noted.
"Probably." She took a deep breath, composing her face into her familiar mask of disdain. "This changes nothing between us, Arden. I still hate you."
"I know," I said. "See you around, Amelia."
She stalked off toward the front desk, spine straight, clutching the chocolate bar like a weapon.
I watched her go, feeling a strange shift in the universe.Amelia Vance, Library Assistant.
Act One of the "Redemption Arc" had officially begun.
I turned back to Aisle 42.
Subsection C. The Order of the Empty Vessel.
I pulled a thick, black-bound tome from the shelf. Dust billowed out as I opened it. The pages were yellowed and brittle.
I scanned the index.Null Magic. Void Walkers. The Empty Ones.
And then, halfway down the page, a name jumped out at me. Not 'Marrow'. But something older.
Family Line: Moro.
Status: Extinguished 1890.
