Page 92 of Echoes of the Banshee

“I’m not a seer so I was looking it up in a dream book and…” She presses the book towards me and points to a passage.

I stare at the gibberish on the page.

“Is this a library book?” I ask.

“Yeah?”

“They’re enchanted, I can’t read it.”

She stares at me in confusion.

I wait.

She tilts her head. “They’re only enchanted so that nightblind can’t read them.”

“No, they’re enchanted so only spiritborne can read them. They don’t consider us spiritborne.”

“What?” it echoes. Everyone focuses harder on their work, like they aren’t eavesdropping. “How are you not considered spiritborne? Goblin’s are one of the original races.”

“Can’t have your slaves reading your books. That’s why we have Graven. It can’t be hidden with enchantments.”

“Well that’s bullshit!” she explodes. I blink stunned, I’ve never heard Thea lose her temper. She looks around the room.

“This is all the library books you have access too? How do you do your work?”

“This isn’t a library, it used to be a cafeteria, the books are donations.”

Her green eyes pulse with fire. Like literally.

I grab her hand quickly and whisper, “Thea, your eyes are glowing.”

She pinches them shut and squeezes my hand. Takes a few heavy breaths then opens them, they’re back to their normal Chrome Tourmaline.

“Sorry,” she whispers.

“Avenging angel is a pretty good look on you.” I can’t hide the smile. Hers blooms until she looks around the room. The other goblins have their jaws slack.

She leans towards me and says, “I think I’ve worn out my welcome.”

“I think it’s because I’m holding your hand.” I look pointedly at our interlocked fingers.

She gasps and tries to take it back. I don’t let go.

“Benson!”

I chuckle and release it. Her cheeks heat. Interesting. She starts to pack up her bag.

“Where are you going?”

“To give the Strix a piece of my mind!” She stands and checks her area. “Please cleanse the books I touched.” She passes me a spray and is out the door.

“Thea, wait!” I call, grabbing my bag and chasing after her. I can barely see her at the top of the steps and I take them two at a time trying to catch her. When I step out the door I look towards the library but she isn’t there. Maybe she went into the woods? I look that way.

“Thea!”

Only the darkness echoes back. I pull out my phone to call when I feel it. Magic. Lots of it.

A witch is melting down.