Unhallowed (Rath and Rune #1) - Jordan L. Hawk Page 0,50

and only said, “Mr. Quinn clearly disagrees.”

“With all due respect to the head librarian, the Quinns have only lived in Widdershins since the 1790s,” Waite sneered. “An entire century after the Waites helped found the town. But I don’t expect an outsider like you to understand.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Ves agreed placidly. “Now, if you would leave me to work, I’ll look at your volumes as soon as I’m able.”

“Don’t dally,” Waite warned.

When the man was finally gone, Ves went to the piles sitting near his coffee. It didn’t matter, he told himself as he drained the cup. Whatever happened tomorrow, he’d be gone the day after. Who cared if Waite was an ass; Ves would never have to see him again.

He winced at the bitterness of the coffee. It must have sat too long in the urn, acquiring a metallic taste even the sugar he’d added couldn’t conceal. And the sugar hadn’t dissolved properly; there were grains in the dregs.

Disgusted, he lowered the cup. Coating the bottom was a layer of white sediment that made his blood run cold.

Rodents were a constant threat to bookshops and libraries, and he’d seen enough rat poison over the years to recognize it now.

Mortimer Waite had just tried to kill him.

Chapter 17

In the end, Sebastian avoided telling the same story twice by asking Irene to come with him to Mr. Quinn’s office. The head librarian listened attentively while Sebastian laid out everything he and Vesper had uncovered, along with the spirit of breath that had a grudge against Ves. When he was done, Mr. Quinn sat back, thin hands steepled and an odd smile on his face.

“A hidden tome, right here in the library,” he said. “In my dreams…but this is reality. What a joyful day.”

Irene and Sebastian exchanged a worried look. “It seems like the sort of thing that ought to be contained,” he said. “That has been contained in the past? I’ll have to look further into the letters, of course.”

“Not to mention this spirit is most likely tied to it in some fashion,” Irene said. “Perhaps the spirit is what’s bound? Both it and the book must be stopped.”

“And stop them we shall. Our first duty is to protect the town.” Mr. Quinn spread his spider-like fingers. “But in order to do so we must find the book. Hold it in our hands.”

“Right,” Sebastian said. He glanced at Irene, who merely shrugged.

“Since the spirit appears to be drawn to Mr. Rune, the simplest solution might be to provide him with some sort of ward.” Irene tapped her lips with one manicured finger, eyes narrowed in thought. “I’ll have to consult with some of the alchemists back at the estate, though.”

“Do so, Miss Endicott. In the meantime, Mr. Rath, summon the librarians.” Mr. Quinn rose to his feet. “I will address everyone at once.”

He led the way out of the maze of back halls. When they emerged behind the desk, it was to find Dr. Norris with a list of books in hand.

“—and I need these right away,” he was saying to Arthur, who currently manned the desk. “I have a very important presentation next week.”

“The library is closed,” Mr. Quinn announced. “Please return the day after tomorrow. Perhaps we shall be open then.”

“But I need these!” Norris exclaimed, brandishing the list.

“They’ll likely still be here on Thursday.”

Norris’s face grew red. “You can’t close the library! You only exist to help with our research.”

Mr. Quinn spread his hands as though helpless. “And yet, I am closing it now.”

Norris glared. “Dr. Gerritson will hear of this!” he declared, before stomping away.

“Mr. Fairchild, if you’d usher any stragglers from the reading room, I would appreciate it,” Mr. Quinn said. “Mr. Rath, ring the bell.”

The bell hung in a shadowy recess, accessible only by sliding one of the tall ladders over and climbing to the top. Due to some strange trick of acoustics, the ring of the bell in its recess could be heard even in the farthest recesses of the library.

Sebastian clambered up and rang the bell vigorously. Mr. Quinn swept past, making his way to the room on the second floor where the librarians would know to meet him.

As Sebastian climbed down, he spotted Ves coming toward him, a worried look on his face.

Oh dear. Things were about to become awkward.

“What was that?” Ves asked. “Is the library on fire?”

“Good God, no!” Sebastian exclaimed in horror. “It was a summons. We’ll clear the library of any patrons and gather for an emergency