Page 53 of Liminal

“Yep, she was a student back in the sixteenth century,” Lambert says, and I’m almost instantly mollified by the fact that he actually remembers that detail.

“It’s not important.” I wave them away. “Besides, your food is getting cold.”

On the table, a pile of fine bone china plates appears, along with crystal wine glasses and a collection of silverware.

North just shakes his head, but Lambert full-on laughs. “You don’t eat takeout with this stuff.”

Frowning, because I wasn’t aware there was a particular etiquette, I’m even more confused when he flips open thebox and withdraws a wedge-shaped piece of food practically drooping under the weight of its toppings.

That doesn’t look…structurally sound.

It’s colourful, though.

The bookshelves around them actually lean in slightly, as if the building itself is curious about the strange wheel left behind in the box.

“It’s bread?” I guess, looking at the crust.

North shrugs. “Bread, sauce, pepperoni, and plenty of melted cheese.”

Cheese. I would die all over again for cheese. Some of my longing must show on my face, because when I look up, the Winthrop heir is looking at me with pity.

Without a word, I disperse.

“I’ll be back when you’re finished,” I lie. “Please don’t touch any of the books without washing your hands first.”

I’m not leaving, but they don’t know that.

“You idiot,” Galileo snarls at Lambert. “You didn’t seriously think she could?—”

“To be fair, it’s not as though you could’ve predicted my presence,” Dakari interrupts, stepping closer and grabbing a slice. “What else would the Librarian want with pizza?” He pauses, taking a large bite and chewing in a way that makes me suddenly all too aware of how sharp his jawline is. “Thanks for the meal.”

“Why are you here?” Galileo asks, his expression colder than I’ve ever seen it.

“I could ask you the same question.” Dakari leans against one shelf rather than sitting. “No one visits the Arcanaeum after hours.”

“Lambert needs tutoring.”

“Hey, North, too!” Lambert says, but his mouth is full of pizza, which mangles the words. “Do you think I upset Kyrith?Maybe I should get her some flowers or something? Wait, is that insensitive if she can’t smell them either? They’re still pretty, though…”

“Getting her flowers?” North scoffs, stuffing his own face. “You’re wasting your time trying to charm a ghost. Just keep your head down and don’t get banished again so you can pass the year.”

They fall into silence, each of them eating their food without any of the dishes or cutlery the Arcanaeum provided.

Is this the way of the times? To eat from cardboard boxes without utensils?

“You never told us why you’re here,” Lambert says, when they’ve almost demolished all of the food. “You’re too old for tutoring, surely.”

“The Librarian has granted me Sanctuary,” Dakari admits, snatching up the last slice. “I’ve been working for the Arcanaeum since I graduated.”

“Surprised you have time,” Galileo grunts. “I would’ve thought collapsing buildings and stealing family relics kept you busy.”

Dakari stiffens, hand dropping to the grimoire at his waist, and I take that as my cue to return.

“Are you ready to continue?” I ask, cutting in swiftly. There’s less time than usual now that they’ve wasted a bit of it eating. “I presume you’re beginning with low mass, single material conjurations and working your way up to more complex ones?”

Lambert and North just stare at me blankly, and Galileo sighs. “Say yes.”

Both of them nod, and I want to groan as I pluck the book I’ve been saving for today out of thin air. “Good, we’ll begin by conjuring magiballs.”