Silence blankets the room as they stare at one another. “It’s not the way things are done,” Nash says.
“Perhaps you should alter the way things are done,” I suggest. “You have been failing with this current plan. What is that saying? People who expect change when they change nothing themselves are insane?”
“Something like that,” Malachi says.
“I’m still unclear why we are explaining this to Calamity,” Hart drawls.
“Because you obviously need an outside perspective. If you can’t see a way through the problem, perhaps you should go around it?”
“She speaks in riddles worthy of a genie,” Theo says.
I blow out a breath, and my wild hair dances around my face, brushing against my cheeks. “I speak plainly for the damsels who are in line for an early grave.”
“They don’t need your help, Calamity,” Hart mutters. “We’ve been doing just fine without your brand of chaos in the mix.”
“Burgher,” the librarian calls from somewhere in the stacks. “A little assistance?”
I look around at the Stirlings. Right, that would be me then. I groan as I stand and make my way between the many many bookcases, leaving the brothers to plot their next move—which in my opinion, is stupid. “Up here,” he calls out. Oh no, up anywhere is not good. His stocky body is visible to me from two floors up, and he’s waving. I can do this. The sun glints off the metal of the staircase as I pick up my skirts and climb towards him. He smiles when I reach him unscathed. See, easy peasy lemony squeezy—whatever that means. When I squeeze lemons, I always get pips in the juice and it spurts in my eyes.
The librarian hands me a book and points at a tall ladder. “Top shelf, please.”
I suck in a breath and take the heavy leather-bound book from his hands. I make it to the third rung of the ladder and smile. Perhaps I’m shaking off my curse.Watch out realm, a new coordinated Daphne is here to rock you.
I lean to the right and the ladder moves. Why is it moving? Oh no, it’s on wheels—why is it on wheels? Which poopfloof put wheels on a ladder? I cling on as I get an express ride along the shelf.
“What in the Blazes?” the librarian shouts.
The ladder jolts to a stop, and my hand grips the top rung, which breaks apart. I fly backward and reassure myself it’s a short fall, a few hands at most. My eyes widen as the library hovers in my vision and I keep falling, straight over the banister and into the main atrium. Cancel that. This will kill me. How sad.Here lies Daphne Stone, befallen from the second floor library.
“I got her,” someone calls out.
My breath puffs out of my mouth as powerful arms grab me from the air and prevent my bones from being cracked in so many places I’d make an impossible jigsaw. Malachi grins down at me, his grass green eyes sparkling in delight. “Falling for me, Daphne?”
I squeeze my eyes closed and pat his cheek. “Falling suggests premeditation. I didn’t intend to fall anywhere, but the Idols have other plans for me.”
“I see what you mean,” Nash says, making my eyes fly open. “She’s quite the calamity.”
I grin. “You haven’t seen anything yet, Nash. Spend some time with me and I will revolutionize your dull lives with my curse.”
He shakes his head with a sigh and stalks from the library. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
ChapterTen
“Ivote we take her with us,” Malachi says, still cradling me in his arms. I don’t struggle to get down, because it seems the universe is being extra vengeful this diurnal and being cuddled by a Stirling might be the exact protection I need from a realm intent on murdering me. That’s a little dramatic. The Idols won’t even know my name, never mind have any intent for my destiny. I’m a Burgher, my destiny is to serve at the whim of the blessed Hallowed.
Hart's eyes are full of fury as he scowls at me nestled in Malachi's arms, so I offer him a little finger wave.
“Oh my idols,” Gwyneth shouts, rushing towards us. “I saw the whole thing. I couldn’t get there in time, Daph, I’m so sorry. The librarian was told to not allow you to leave the ground floor.
“You didn’t explain why,” the librarian states, rushing down the steps and toward us. He hovers around me with a frown.
“I’m fine,” I say with a smile. No bones were harmed.
“It’s best if we take her with us,” Malachi asserts again.
Gwyneth furrows her brow as she contemplates the benefits and drawbacks of letting me join the Stirling brothers.
“Where are you taking her?” Gwyneth asks.
