Chapter Nineteen
They ambled toward the library, stopping along the way to study different trinkets as various stalls. Apparently, Selina didn’t have enough in their room already. Nothing ever seemed to satisfy her.
Rion studied the shadows, watching for anyone who might be under Foley’s employ. His involvement complicated things.
Rion kept his magic in check for Selina’s sake, just so he wouldn’t scare off the vendors, but even with some knowing he was present in the city, not everyone recognized him. A relief, especially when he could engage in normal conversation.
Once again, Selina paid to have their items delivered to their room.
“How’s your aim?”
She stopped pulling him along and twisted to stare at him in confusion. “What?”
“Your aim. With weapons.”
Selina snorted. “Such grand conversation to have before dinner.”
“I thought you wanted it to stay professional.”
She scrunched her face. “My aim is just fine, thank you. I’m not a novice.”
“You’re the one who asked me to train you, remember? I was just thinking it might be wise to carry a few daggers instead of walking around unarmed.”
Her playful smile returned. “What makes you think I’m unarmed?”
At that, he reassessed her gait. The way her hands moved.
“Where are they?”
She smirked. “That’s for me to know and everyone else to find out.”
Selina spun back around with a little skip in her step. Rion studied her form, then decided he didn’t want to linger on the areas where she might have hidden her weapons. Instead, he simply said, “Well done.”
She snorted at his compliment. “As if I need your approval.”
He tried not to smirk. “Isn’t that what all students seek?”
“I’m interested in your unique combatives, not weapon skills.”
“Maybe those are unique, too.”
“I’ve seen them and they’re nothing I haven’t seen before.”
“You’ve seen Saoirse fight.” It wasn’t a question, but he wanted to know more about the female’s confrontation.
“In the field, but we never fought head to head, in case that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I was.”
She tsked. “You’re a nosy one, aren’t you?”
“I’d call myself curious.”
“Haven’t you ever heard what curiosity did to the cat?”
“I’m not a cat, now am I?”
She rolled her eyes and they continued on, walking three blocks until they reached the library. It was a rather impressive building with two small cafes flanking either side. Both had lines stretching out the door, much to Selina’s disappointment.
She pushed open the heavy double doors and gestured him inside the library. The scent of old books greeted Rion like an old friend. His gaze automatically scanned the shelves, searching for the historical section. He wondered if Whiteridge continued old tomes he’d never seen. Whether they taught a different history and if there were different things he could learn. Maybe they even had some information those from Nàdair weren’t privy to.
Patrons sat at various tables, some with small stacks of books while others leafed through a single text. They sipped from steaming mugs and none looked up when the door closed behind the newcomers. Rion had the distinct impression that if he spoke, they’d all jump out of their skins before scolding him for making noise, demon lord or no.
Reluctantly, Rion turned away from the shelves and proceeded to the main desk. They waited a full ten minutes for someone to show up. Rion scowled at their slow pace. Selina busied herself by flipping through a nearby book. Her hand covered the title.
“Can I help you?” the librarian whispered. His voice was rough, calloused, as if he were offended that anyone stood before his desk at all.
Rion lowered his voice a fraction, if only to be polite to the other guests. “I need blueprints to the palace.”
The librarian didn’t look up. Didn’t hesitate or think before saying, “Those documents are classified.”
Rion raised a brow and waited for the librarian to meet his gaze. He did. The male scowled and widened his eyes as if to say, anything else?
It was both difficult and pleasant to be in a place where not everyone recognized him.
“I think a Lord of Brónach would meet the necessary qualifications.”
“He certainly would, but—” The male stopped talking when Rion’s magic inched from beneath his sleeves, twisting up and around his arms in a lazy pattern.
Fear filled the foyer and the male retreated a step, his look of annoyance shifting to one of absolute terror.
Selina peered over her book. “I’d suggest hurrying. We’re hungry and you’ve already kept us waiting.” Rion glared at her, but the librarian rushed off after a quick bow and muttered apologies.
Rion faced her. “They’re afraid enough without you pushing the issue.”
She slammed the book shut and three Fae jolted, then pinned her with a glare. “You really don’t like it, do you?”
Rion opened his mouth to reply, but the librarian returned, out of breath, and directed them to a secluded table upstairs. “You won’t be disturbed here. Is there anything else you require?”
“No, we’re fine, thank you.”
The male bowed again before scrambling back down the stairs, his heart beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings.
“Well, he’s a jumpy fellow.”
“Comes with the reputation, unfortunately.”
Selina eyed him again, but Rion shifted his attention to the blueprints. Every room was outlined in stark detail aside from the basement, which led Selina and Rion to the same conclusion.
“Well, that answers that. When’s the ball again?”
“According to the invitation, in a few days.”
Selina stretched her arms overhead. “I heard the spa is divine. We could always visit that while we’re here.”
“I thought you just wanted the food.”
“There’s no reason I can’t have food and a spa day.” Her stomach grumbled. “Speaking of food.”
Rion carefully rolled the prints back up. “Did any of the restaurants catch your attention on the way in?”
“Nope. I figured we’d walk the streets until we found something that smelled good.”
Well, that could certainly add to their ruse. It would also give him a few minutes to see where the business districts ended and the residential ones began. He’d mark the storefronts and who ran them. Then watch the governor’s palace over the next few days to see which vendors he chose to visit. Maybe he could figure out how they were shipping the poison and put a stop to it before the ball.
“If you’re done thinking, can we get a move on?”
He smirked. “Lead the way.”