“Perhaps,” she whispered, and ran her finger over her jeweled bracelet.
The scrutinizing faces multiplied by the minute, but the dozen guards kept them at bay. We needed to get the paint cleaned, both for morale and because I had guests arriving in a handful of hours.
“Your Highness.” Vexley’s voice was low. “The guard assigned to this post is missing, and there is evidence of a struggle.”
Vexley directed me to an area along the fence, a dozen feet from the entrance gate. Upon initial inspection, it looked as if the vandals had spilled the paint when trying to taint the area. But on a closer look, the liquid was not dried paint, but thick coagulated blood.
I toed my boot into the near-hardened puddle. “Witnesses?”
“None, sir.” Vexley ran a hand across his forehead. “If anyone saw the attack, they have yet to come forward.”
“Go door to door,” I commanded, my voice loud enough for the front of the crowd to hear. “Contact every residence and business in the area—someone saw what happened. Double the reward, do whatever is needed. We will find those responsible.”
“Whatever?”
“There may be a stay of executions, but that doesn’t prevent you from usingallother means to make them talk. Just don’t kill them.” I went to turn, but ran directly into Leanna, who was hovering.
“Would you like to postpone your gathering this evening?” she asked.
“No—six o’clock, correct?”
She nodded.
“Vexley.” I looked at the man and mounted my horse. “Have this area cleaned immediately.”
Making my way up to the path, I took my time contemplating what I could do—if anything—to find those responsible.
I passed the two guards standing at the entry doors. Their faces were impassive, but their true feelings raged behind their fury-riddled eyes. They must’ve already learned of their missing comrade and were readying themselves for battle. But as I walked toward the library, my chest tightened from the stares finding me in the corridor.
Bustling staff murmured amongst themselves, and I had the sinking feeling I had been the topic of discussion. For when I looked in their direction, their mouths stopped running, but their eyes lacked the reverence I deserved. Had they too been questioning my ability to rule?
Lifting my chin, I drew in a breath before entering the room filled with books. It wasn’t the same as my father’s study, but the familiar scent brought back cruel memories.
“Vera,” I greeted the librarian, who’d had her nose shoved in a book.
She stood quickly and offered a feeble bow. “Prince Sutton—I wasn’t expecting you. Is all okay?”
“Is this library not mine? Should I require an invitation to be here?”
“No, that was not my intent.” She hesitated. “It’s just that I cannot remember the last time I’ve seen you here. I only thought?—”
“I didn’t ask for your thoughts,” I snapped. My anger was displaced, but with everything falling apart, the last thing I needed was for the old woman to question me.
Hunt chuckled behind me, and I wanted to admonish him, but there was no time to waste. Problems were piling up, and I needed to start solving them.
“I need several books and not the typical ones you offer to whomever enters. But the ones I know you have hidden deep in the shadows.” I looked for a reaction, but her bored expression remained steady. “Whatever you have on the resistance, I want.”
“Anything you wish to read of the group, the captain wouldhave.” Vera’s voice was snippy. “I hold no such information on my shelves.”
“Fine.” I waved a hand, determined to talk to Vexley later. “I would also like the book you have on the Oras. The one that speaks of witches and their magic.”
Vera’s lips pressed into a pucker as she considered. “I don’t have a single thought of any book matching that description.”
She was lying, and we both knew it. But I couldn’t prove the fact, as I’d never seen the book myself; I’d only heard rumblings of its existence as a child.
“I highly doubt that,” I countered, narrowing my eyes on her.
She shrugged. “You’re free to check all the shelves. I will do so at your side if it satisfies your inquiry. There is not a single book here that matches your description.”
