Clover’s jaw tightened as he noticed the approaching participants. He eyed the book, then the shelf, searching for whatever clue they needed next. Baz was about to suggest he stop time while they figured it out, as they weren’t allowed to actually take any of the clues from the spots they found them in. But Clover merely put the book back on the shelf, a curious smile tugging at his lips.
“What are you—”
“Trust me.” Clover spun to meet Wulfrid’s seething glare. “Gentlemen,” he said with a curt nod. “Best of luck to you.”
Wulfrid narrowed his eyes at them and spat an insult as they brushed past him.
“Where are we going?” Baz asked when they were out of earshot.
“Crescens library. The clue wasn’tinStockenbach’s book—it waswhat sat next to it.Conversations with Plants: The Magickal Landscaping of Aldryn College.”
“That doesn’t sound like something that belongs on New Moon shelves.”
“Precisely.”
The brightness of the Crescens library was a welcome change from the gloom of Noviluna Hall. Wintry sunlight filtered through the domed glass ceiling and high windows. Baz noted the absence of music; whatever Wordsmith magic made the library alive with ever-changing instrumentals back in his time must not have been invented yet.
The musty smell of books mixed with the green scent of the plants that grew all over the conservatory-like library reminded Baz of the greenhouse Romie had spent all her time in. With a pang, he found himself missing her.
Clover beelined to an alcove between two pale-wood shelves, where ivy grew thick on the wall around a series of paintings depicting Aldryn College in different lights and periods. Among them was an old, framed map of the college a few years after its inception. A silver placard underneath read:Aldryn College grounds designed by Wordsmith Florien Delaune, founder of Crescens library.
“?‘Founder of Crescens library’…,” Clover read aloud, frowning at the placard.
Baz could see the wheels turning in his head. “I’m assuming the next clue should bring us to the Pleniluna library?” he said, unsure of what to look for. He felt useless with Clover doing the brunt of the work.
But Clover beamed at him like he’d solved the mystery of the world itself. “Of course! The founder of Pleniluna library… perhaps they were a Wardcrafter, the very one who might have erected the wards around the Vault.”
With nothing else to go on, they headed to Pleniluna Hall. Whereas the Waxing Moon library was reminiscent of a tranquil conservatory, the Full Moon library spared no expenses in its lavishness. It was the biggest library on campus, downright palatial with its winding staircase and four stories of stately shelves and ornate columns. It was dressed all over in white marble, with glistening silver chandeliers and gold filigree brightening up the space until it almost hurt to look at.
Clover tracked down the librarian in charge to inquire about the library’s founder. As they waited for an answer, Baz spotted Wulfrid and his allies hurriedly making their way up the stairs, gleeful looks on their faces.
Baz and Clover exchanged a look just as the librarian came back to them with their answer: “Lutwin de Vruyes,” she said. “He was a Purifier, founded the Pleniluna library… and, ah, he wrote a volume titledPurifying Practices Against Evil.”
She eyed Baz nervously. It was easy to guess whatevilreferred to here.
At Clover’s insistence, she pointed them in the book’s direction on the third floor. Every floor here was dedicated to a Full Moon tidal alignment, starting with Soultenders on the first floor and ending with Lightkeepers on the fourth.
Wulfrid must have easily figured it out, being a Purifier himself. They crossed paths while he was on his way down, a smug smile on his face as he told Baz, “Enjoy the very pertinent reading, Eclipse scum.”
If Kai were here, Baz was certain he’d shove Wulfrid down the stairs.
Clover did a better job at hiding his anger than Kai would have, but Baz felt it simmering off him as he grabbed the book in question off the shelf. “I can’t believe they included such a book in the scavenger hunt. They could have picked anything else, but theyhad to go for something that got a rise out of us.” His eyes flickered to Baz. “Out of you,” he corrected himself. “I’d understand if you hated me for roping you into this.”
“No, of course not—it’s fine, really. Let’s just find the next clue and make sense of all this before Wulfrid does.”
“Fair enough.” Clover thumbed through the book, grimacing at whatever he saw there. “It’s mostly theories on exorcisms of spirits and… certain supposedly dark forces. Best you don’t look at this. Lutwin de Vruyes was decidedlynotan ally of the Eclipse-born.” Disgusted, he put the book back. “At least the dean is more open-minded than her ancestor.”
Baz frowned. “Most of the clues so far concerned the library founders and the general history of Aldryn. If each clue’s supposed to bring us to the next library… isn’tThe History of Aldrynshelved in Decrescens library?”
Clover lifted a brow. “How do you know that?”
Right.Only an Aldryn student would know that, and Baz was supposed to be from Karunang. He was saved from coming up with a lie as two more groups of participants appeared at the top of the stairs completely out of breath. The first duo gave Baz a friendly nod—two Karunang students who, just like their dean, did not look the slightest bit suspicious of Baz. The second duo, two girls wearing the burgundy robes of Ilsker College, gave him a wide berth, eyes catching fearfully on the Eclipse sigil on his hand.
Clover motioned for Baz to follow him. They quickly found their way to the Decrescens library. Baz’s nerves stilled as he stepped into this place he knew by heart, its eclectic opulence making him feel right at home.
The History of Aldrynwas mandatory reading for first-years even in Baz’s time. There was a whole shelf dedicated to it here, with multiple battered copies that freshman students wouldborrow for their coursework. And the shelf stood right beside the entrance to the Vault.
Baz eyed the laurel-leaf-crowned marble busts on either side of the slender archway that led down into the Vault. Back in his time, the wards did not reach this far up; he still remembered the silver door at the bottom of these stairs, wrought with intricate motifs of the Tides, that unlocked to let in those lucky enough to peruse the Vault. Here, though, the wards started at the archway, where a similar silver door now stood.
