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Father’s castle now.
The mere idea of him being so close makes my skin crawl.
Being back in Adelphi is… overwhelming.
The sounds, the scents, the people.
All familiar and yet… not.
We opted not to risk mysting for fear the witches could have implemented enchantments that may trigger an alarm that is set off by the presence of myst. It’s safer for all of us to disperse on foot. Thunder rattles the darkened clouds above us, and the promised rain only holds itself back until we climb the limestone stairs to the library and slip inside.
Just scholars here to study.
It’s been years since I’ve visited the library, and I give myself ten seconds to take in its magnificence with its high-domed ceiling and elegant angles. The natural light spilling in through the large windows scatters around the walls. Chandeliers dangle above the tables for research that are dotted throughout the main floor. Not a single student glances up from their work as we enter.
Even with everything Quill has seen, his eyes widen as he, too, takes in the beauty of the building.
I poke his side. “I believe that specific look of admiration is supposed to be reserved for yours truly.”
“The thoughts I have about architecture aren’t nearly as enthralling as the thoughts I have about you and that mind of yours.” He chuckles as he turns the full focus of his gaze on me. His eyes drift to my lips and linger there as he adds for only me to hear, Nothing is as riveting as your perfect mouth, or your tight little—
“Enough of that,” I whisper, though my body betrays me. Desire heats my core as I shift in my boots. “What book are we looking for?”
“Refracted Knowing Whims by G. Halethorne.”
My brow furrows as a distant memory flickers at the familiarity of that surname. Unable to place it, I say, “That sounds exactly like something far too mystical for this library. The mortal kings may have burned it after the Crimson War.”
“I said the same to Riven, but he believes the book is spelled to resist burning.”
“A book that’s spelled…” I purse my lips, and his attention flicks back to them. “It’ll either be in the depths, the restricted area below, or maybe forgotten somewhere in the heights on the upper levels. But Quill”—I place a hand on his arm, across the area that needs a blade—“I truly don’t think something like that would be found here.”
“Riven claims otherwise, and as much as I hate to admit it, he’s usually right.”
“Splitting up will help us cover more ground,” I say, guiding us toward the spiral staircase, which leads to the upper and lower levels. “I’ll search the heights while you search the depths, and we’ll meet back here by nightfall.”
Rain endlessly pelts the glass windows overlooking Stella Park as the sky deepens into a bruised black.
I’ve been searching for hours now, and all I have to show for it are the cobwebs stuck in my hair, dusty handprints marring my clothes, and a new and very irrational fear of termites. Countless books along these overflowing shelves are half-eaten by the little devils.
A great boom of thunder rattles the windowpanes, and I count to myself the way Eivor told me to: one, two, three, four, fi—
A shock of lightning illuminates the office in a burst of white.
The hunters are four and a half blocks away.
Too close for comfort.
Especially if Vivvy is with them.
I push the thought of my dreadful sister out of my mind for fear just thinking her name may summon her.
Though Eivor’s warning is fresh in my mind, I’m not ready to give up searching just yet. There’s still one place I haven’t checked… and since I’ve had absolutely no luck in any of the labeled sections—mysteries, fantasy, horror, and adventure—I suppose it won’t hurt to search the unmarked shelves at the very tip top of this level before I meet Quill downstairs.
With a bit of haste, I carefully climb a ladder. Brushing several layers of dust from the spines on the top shelf, I squint to read the titles I find there. Autobiographies.
Defeated, I make to climb down as bright light edges my peripheral. Not lightning; not this time. I clutch the ladder, steadying myself as my vision blurs in and out of focus. The last time this happened, we were in the woods.
Another vision.
