Page 83 of Liminal

He did, to be fair.

But Kyrith’s attention is no longer on Leo, or the rest of us. Instead, the projector has captured her once more, and I suspect I know why.

Josef Ackland is right in his son’s face, his dark brows creased with fury as he drags North out of the box by his collar and down a corridor, into a caretaker’s closet.

“You think you can just fuck around watching matches instead of doing what you’re told, boy?”Josef demands, slamming his son into a shelf of equipment.

And North—the proud asshole, who should be shoving right back—just takes it.

“No. Of course not.”I think that’s the calmest I’ve ever heard him. It’s certainly a far cry from his usual defensive attitude.

Josef isn’t mollified.“Have you forgotten?—”

“No. I’m working on it. I swear. I just?—”

“Librarian, this conversation is private,” Leo says, trying to put himself between the screen and Kyrith.

Only to find himself on the other side of the room.

“Edlynn isn’t getting any better while you mess around, ignoring the one job I asked you to get done.”

“I told you,”North protests.“It isn’t in the Arcanaeum.”

“If you believe that, you’re even stupider than your grades say you are.”Josef strides away.“No more wasting time. Get into the Vault and find that grimoire.”

The projection plays on, North’s harsh breathing echoing in the room, but Kyrith’s turned away. Her stony gaze settles on a spot on one of the shelves, hands tugging at her sleeves as her mind works furiously.

Her anger is palpable. The Arcanaeum is practically bristling with magic. Then, she looks up, eyes catching on the clock, where they settle for a second before widening.

All of her fury dissipates, replaced by…

Fear.

Twenty-Four

Kyrith

“You need to leave.” I don’t mean the words to be so snappy, but I didn’t realise just how close we were to midnight. “And the two of you need to get to bed. It’s well past curfew.”

I didn’t realise how long the match would go on for, but then again, I should’ve remembered that they don’t end until one team reaches nil. I should’ve anticipated that it might be later than this and prepared a contingency plan.

But no.

These arcanists have a way of making me forget.

Which is stupid. How can I possibly forget that I’m dead when I relive that death every night? They’re so full of secrets and life that it makes me careless.

“There’s no rush,” Leo attempts to sway me. “Lambert will no doubt want to celebrate the win, and we’ve been?—”

“No. You need to leave. Now.”

Dakari stands, stretching casually.Toocasually. “She’s right. We watched the match together, and it’s getting late. Let’s call it a night. Lambert can celebrate tomorrow.”

Why is he helping me? Out of the kindness of his heart? I melt a little in gratitude, but the tension doesn’t leave my shoulders.

“The building won’t even let him in until opening time,” I add. “He can celebrate—quietly—then. Goodnight, all of you.”

I disappear into the ceiling before they can object further, leaving them in stunned silence.