(Lysara POV)

  The library was already half-full when Lysara arrived.

  Tables were claimed by habit.

  She made her way to her usual spot near the back of the east wing, away from others.

  Satchel down, she began sorting her notes.

  The wing was quieter. Sections of the shelves were sealed behind glass and locks, their contents catalogued but unavailable. No one lingered near them. No one needed reminding.

  “Still working through the secondary indices?”

  The librarian’s voice carried softly across the aisle. Lysara looked up.

  “Yes.”

  The woman nodded, as if that confirmed something. She reached for a key at her belt and moved past the public shelves without further comment.

  A minute later, she returned and set two additional volumes on the edge of Lysara’s table — careful not to disturb the existing stack.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  “These aren’t on the general list,” she said quietly. “Return them before dusk.”

  “Thank you.” Lysara meant it, noticing how the bindings were older than the others, the margins thinner.

  The librarian hesitated, then added, “You’ve been consistent.”

  A chair scraped softly across the stone floor.

  Tessa sat opposite Lysara, already opening her book, movements efficient and quiet. No greeting. None needed.

  They worked like that for a while. Pages turned. Pens moved. The world narrowed to rune work and ink.

  At one point, Tessa paused, glanced at the restricted volumes, then slid one of her books closer to Lysara without comment.

  The librarian came by one last time and looked at both their notes.

  “Sign these forms. Inner rooms will allow for older indexes.”

  When Tessa stood to leave, Lysara didn’t look up. She only reorganized her stack.

  Tessa lingered a moment, then said, “Same time tomorrow.”

  Lysara nodded.

  From the side desk, the librarian watched them for a beat longer than necessary before returning to her ledgers.

  At one point, Tessa paused, glanced at the restricted volumes, then slid one of her books closer to Lysara without comment.

  The librarian came buy one last time and looked at both their notes. “Sign these forms, inner rooms will allow for older indexes.”

  When Tessa stood to leave, Lysara didn’t look up. She only reorganized her stack.

  Tessa lingered a moment, then said, “Same time tomorrow.”

  Lysara nodded.

  From the side desk, the librarian watched them for a beat longer than necessary before returning to her ledgers.