Chapter 35
Thirty-Five
Kyrith
“No Earl Grey today, Librarian?” Benny asks, taking a seat at my desk with a wry look at the glass teacups I’ve conjured.
“Not this time, I’m afraid.” I pour the hot water into the matching teapot, willing my tiredness away as I watch the delicate jasmine petals unfurl.
Eddy purchased me these tea flowers on her excursion with Lambert last week. She may leave the Arcanaeum too often and spend far too much money on inept curios, but the gifts she brings me are thoughtful and appreciated.
Now, the meditative pause provides a welcome slowdown.
It’s been two days since Leo left. Two days since I sent him a letter explaining the situation with our bond, imploring him to be careful, and received no reply. Two days since his brother returned wrapped in bandages, uncharacteristically sullen, and benched for the next two games.
Thankfully, Jasper offered to take over treating Lambert, which means I’ve used most of that time to work on Leo’s degraded runeform while fielding the ever-present demands of the patrons. An hour ago, I cracked it.
We can break the next layer today, if Leo will let us.
Dakari is meeting with his uncle but should be back soon. Pierce is with Eddy on another of her shopping trips, and Jasper is learning his part of the incantation. If I can just convince Benny to help us, we’ll have four arcanists capable of breaking the ensorcellment.
Then I can start work on the final layer.
“It’s refreshing to have tea like this,” the older Carlton comments as I pour. “I last enjoyed something similar in Lijiang.”
I half expect him to pull a nullifying scrap from his pocket and test his cup for more potions, but he apparently trusts me not to repeat the same trick twice because he takes the vessel and raises it to his nose, inhaling before taking a sip.
“Some things are meant to be enjoyed,” I reply, settling into my physical form and picking up my own cup.
“Indeed.”
“You travelled a lot after your exile,” I broach. “Was there a purpose to that?”
The corner of his lip twitches. “Outside of keeping myself out of Matty’s clutches?”
That’s the second time he’s slipped and called the magister by a more familiar name. I store the information away for later.
Inclining my head, I take my first sip. “I suspect there was more to it than that.”
No answer? Fine.
“I suspect you were looking for his soul vessel.”
Benny leans in, setting his tea down and steepling his fingers beneath his chin with an easy smile. “You’ve done your research.”
“And you’re keeping secrets from your allies.”
“Yes, I sought his soul. I searched for over a decade, checking every single jewel I could find. In times past, liches called the vessels ‘phylacteries’ and hid them in remote places, but Mathias has never been so cautious or so humble as to allow the centre of his magic—his life force—to linger in obscurity. He despised living in hiding as long as he did.”
True. He was always a man who enjoyed his own eminence.
“You believe he’s going to make a play for the parriarchy.”
Benny snorts, leaning back. “My dear, it’s no coincidence that he’s making such grand moves when Talcott holds the position of Rector.”
Carlton is the next in the cycle, leaving Isidora to become the next head of the council of parriarchs if he falls. If she were to die, Ackland would be next in line.
“He wants to rule.” Either through a puppet, or by killing Pierce’s mother once she’s outlived her usefulness.
“All he needs to do is secure the Arcanaeum and the ultimate power it contains, then replace Abe Talcott. I hear Anthea is doing quite well at bringing the rector to heel, for now. That will do until he has the other parriarchs in place. Josef is dead. My daughter is fixated on transcending her mortal form and will do whatever he asks. Winthrop… Well, darling Georgina has never been particularly devious or powerful. She’ll either choose the side she thinks will win or fold with the right blackmail. ”
“And ó Rinn will happily follow whoever can break their ensorcellment,” I finish. “Leaving…”
“McKinley. Loyal, but insular, and uninterested in leaving Orkney, where they feel safe.”
“They could be persuaded to stand against him. He attacked Jasper.”
“True, true. But with what allies? One house against all the rest barely stands a chance.”
“Then help me break the ensorcellment on Galileo ó Rinn. That’s two out of six. Three if we can convince Georgina, we have the upper hand.”
“The Librarian proposing civil war? Now this is curious.”
“Not proposing, preparing. The only way it won’t come to that is if we find that phylactery before he plays his hand. Even then, Isidora might follow in his footsteps.”
Benny takes another long sip of his tea. “I’ve combed every place that he mentioned in the years we spent together. He doesn’t wear jewellery. Wherever that gem is, it’s well hidden.”
And Mathias can’t be killed unless we destroy it. I huff out an aggrieved breath, but I knew that already.
“Then our next best course of action is to undo his work with the parriarchs. We can start by recruiting ó Rinn before he does.”
Benny studies me over the rim of his cup. “You seem confident that it can work.”
“We only need to free him. If we prove that it can be done, the rest of his house will follow. I have runeforms and incantations ready to destroy the second layer of the ensorcellment. I just need four arcanists with the skill to use them.”
His brows rise. “And you thought of me.”
Well, originally, I’d hoped to do it myself, but I still don’t have my grimoire, and we simply don’t have time to find it. Benny will make a passable replacement.
“You’re a restorationist. Traditionally, that discipline stems from an interest in nullification, and it’s master-level magic, indicating you’re a great deal more powerful than you’d have others believe.”
Every inch of Pierce’s grandfather is designed to give the impression of harmlessness, but he was once a parriarch.
“And your other choices?”
“Your grandson, Jasper McKinley, and Dakari Talcott.”
Leo insisted that he would find someone else. I doubt he will. Whoever casts the spell needs to be powerful beyond the norm and proficient in the correct school of magic.
“Ah, and I take it you’re unable to help without your grimoire?”
Magic, this man knows everything. “What exactly was your relationship to Mathias Ackland?”
Benny’s smile grows. “I wondered when you’d ask me that question.”
He drains his teacup. “I’m happy to assist the ó Rinn heir, of course. Do send word with the time of your choosing.” He plucks his bucket hat from the hook by the door. “And best of luck to you with the defence of the Library.”
“You’re leaving? Is the subject that terrible?”
“Truly abysmal. We’d need something a little stronger than tea to accompany the tales of my misguided youth.
But that’s not the reason for my departure.
” He pulls back the sleeve of the bright Hawaiian shirt he’s wearing to display several plain metal bracelets, one of which is thrumming with magic that I can feel, even from this distance.
“What does that mean?”
“My grandson is in trouble.” Benny laughs under his breath. “And it must truly be dire, because Pierce does not enjoy admitting he needs help.”
Pierce was supposed to be guarding Eddy. If something’s happened to her…
My blood turns to ice.