“Impressive, but you’re not going with me. I’m taking you to the shelter first.”
We scrambled up the stairs. Once in the library, he found the gateway book and opened it to a photograph of a library I didn’t recognize.
“How do you know where the shelter is? I thought only—”
He raised his hand to stop me. “It was my home for many years. I testified against Conemar and was sent to the shelter for protection.”
“They didn’t blindfold you or something?”
“I’m too cunning for them. I withstood their attempts to wipe my memory. You don’t live as long as I and not pick up tricks.”
“I see.”
“Blast it all,” he snapped, leaning closer to the page. “One of Conemar’s search parties is in the library leading to the shelter.”
“How can you see that?”
“My ring.” I glanced at it. It was large and gold with a lion’s head on it. “Merl spelled it so I can see into the libraries through the photographs.”
I practically fell over him trying to see the photograph. “Oh no, can they get in?”
“Personal space, please.” He pushed me away with his back. “No, they’d have to know the key. No one knows the key but the Couve Sentinels and their High Wizard. And me, of course.”
“Veronique does, and she’s on Conemar’s side.”
“Merl wiped Veronique’s memory of all keys and important information when she was captured.” He slammed his fist on the page.
“He should have wiped her entire memory.” My lip twitched. I hoped he hadn’t notice the jealousy lacing my words.
“That would have killed her and is against the laws.” He eyed me suspiciously before returning his attention to the book. “Damn it. You’ll have to go with me. But you must stay out of sight.”
“I can do that.”
He looked up. “I have a feeling you won’t.”
The library in Saint Petersburg was spooky at night. I pulled a history book from a shelf and hid behind a display case under the white arches of the ceiling. When my eyes began to droop, I put the book down, got to my feet, and paced. I spun around to face a movement in my peripheral vision, sliding the Chiave out of my scabbard and readying it for an attack. Nothing was there.
“Get a grip, Gia,” I muttered to myself, slipping the sword back in its case.
I checked the time on Ricardo’s wristwatch, which he’d given me before he went through the bookcase. I was to leave in an hour if he didn’t return by then. He gambled on the bulk of Conemar’s men either being at the battle in Couve or stationed at the siege on Asile. He hoped he would be in and out with Carrig before being noticed. I wasn’t sure what his plan was, but I had a terrible feeling about it.
“What are you doing here?”
Startled, I whirled around on my heel. “Sinead? How did—” Three tiny fairies with multi-colored wings and spindly green bodies flew around her. “Hey, I saw those fairies the night I was drugged. They’re real?”
“They’re not fairies; they’re sprites. I had them follow you. They came for me when you didn’t go to the shelter, and you came here instead.” She frowned. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“We couldn’t get to the shelter. Conemar’s men were there.”
Sinead took a step closer to me. “Where’s Ricardo?”
“He went to Esteril to rescue Carrig.”
Her pointy ears pricked back, and she crouched to the floor behind the display cases. “Get down.” The sprites darted off.
I squatted beside her. I whispered, “What is it?”
“I’m not sure. Stay here.” She crawled to the end of the long display stand, peered around it for several seconds, then stood.
“Well?” I rose.
“A rat, is all.”
“A rat? Gross.” I tried to scratch the heebie-jeebies from my skin.
She ignored my freak out. “So what’s Ricardo’s plan?”
“I don’t know.” I checked the wristwatch again. “If he doesn’t come back in another twenty minutes, I’m to leave and go back to Couve.” I pointed to a large wooden eyesore with dusty books aligned on its shelves. “He went through there. I think our cover is blown. They can’t read me in the libraries, but I bet they know you’re here.”
“I’m sure they do.” She motioned with her pointer finger for me to get down. “Someone’s coming for certain this time.”
“Great,” I seethed, returning to my hiding place behind the display.
“Whatever happens, stay down.”
“What are you going to do?”
“They sensed me here. I have to go with them willingly, or they’ll discover you. So don’t