Page 87 of Liminal

“So she really doesn’t have it?” North’s exasperation is a welcome change from the sympathy that doesn’t belong on his Luciferian features. “I need that stupid book.”

It’s hard to focus on his confession, because a bigger part of me is concerned about what this ‘meeting’ really means.

They’re swapping notes, experiences. The more they share, the fewer secrets I have left. I want to force them all to leave, but if they have this discussion outside of these walls, there’s no telling who might listen in. Right now, the disaster is contained.

If this news gets out… If their parriarchs discover any of this… If Leo or Dakari mention that I crack whenever they touch me…

My cold dread washes through the halls. My thoughts racing through the sludge that is my mind as the five of them exchange looks.

Dakari’s still levelling a distrustful glower at Leo. “If you use this information to hurt her?—”

“It doesn’t serve my interests to harm Kyrith.” Leo finishes with his sleeves and turns on his heel. “It may not align with your family’s belief that every Ó Rinn is out to destroy everyone and everything, but?—”

“Can we all circle back to how we’re going to apologise to the boss?” Lambert interrupts, looking distressed enough that Leo takes an involuntary step closer to him. “Like, do you think she needs more books? Or maybe I should get her a plant? Are plants worth more than books? What level of fuck-up is this? Coffee level? Plant level? Book level?” He gulps. “Bookshelflevel?”

He has a level system for apologies? Oh, who am I kidding?Of coursehe does.

“Probably best to just apologise and mean it rather than try to bribe her,” Jasper mutters.

What? Apology gifts aren’t bribes! The library shifts the bookcase behind him, knocking him forwards.

“Or perhaps not,” he murmurs, catching his balance a second later.

“More books,” Lambert says, grabbing the door handle. “Gotcha. Hey, do you think we’re still on for the strip?—”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Dakari interjects. “Especially if she finds out you tried to get into the Vault.”

“Because she was crying!” Lambert’s puppy eyes are hollow with sad disbelief. “Begging. You mean to tell me you didn’t try to go to her when you saw this for the first time?”

Dakari says nothing, and the blond levels a told-you-so look his way. “Yeah. That’s what I thought.”

He knocks on the door, says, “my bedroom,” and wrenches it open, striding through.

That quickly he’s gone, taking my secrets out into the world.

North catches the handle and follows his friend home without a word. Leo stays long enough to continue his stare off with Dakari, but eventually picks a different door, mutters his own destination, and disappears.

“She told us to get out,” Jasper murmurs, as soon as they’re alone. “Do you think she’s revoked the Sanctuary?”

Dakari shakes his head. “I hope not, but you’re not leaving here until we know for certain. You’re still too?—”

“At risk. Yes, I know.”

They head back up to their room, and I allow myself to re-materialise where they were standing, looking down at the trapdoor, which is, once again covered by the rug I chose to hide it. My hands trace the banister where Leo was standing thoughtfully, and I sigh loudly.

Something is niggling at the back of my mind. An idea that feels like a gross violation of privacy, and yet…

I’m fed up with being on the back foot, and tonight I’ve reached my limit.

Of all of them, North and Leo worry me the most. I can’t do anything about North and his father without finding the Ackland grimoire, but Idohave the Talcott grimoire that Leo wants so desperately.

I think it’s time I did some reading.

Twenty-Five

Kyrith

The next morning, at opening time, I set down Ammie Talcott’s grimoire with a resigned sigh.