“I’ve worked too hard for my position here to let you ruin everything because you have a curiosity that will get you killed.”
I feel the anger rising in my chest, and I grind my teeth in his face.
“Give it a rest, will you?” I snap.
I can’t stand this guy.
“Just like your fucking brother,” he mutters. “Always getting into shit.”
I glare at him.
“Then maybe you should have better manners than to slam doors in people’s faces.”
“You are impossible.” Larkin rolls his eyes. “That sarcastic mouth is going to get you killed.”
“And slamming doors will do the same for you.”
We stare at one another, neither letting the other have the last word, and for a split second, the corners of his mouth twitch alongside mine. Larkin creates distance and rubs his hands over his eyes and into his disheveled hair.
“So, you’ve been looking for me for the past hour?” I ask.
“An hour?” He angles his head. “I haven’t seen you in almost three hours. Do you have any idea what fucking time it is?”
“No. That’s impossible.”
He shakes his head. “Apparently, it isn’t. I was about to call in backup when I found you outside Silas’s door.”
“I don’t understand,” I say, baffled.
“I don’t either.” He scratches his head. “Where have you been?”
My mind drifts to the stone wall, the shimmering light, and the magic emanating from the nearly invisible entrance. I felt an overwhelming sense of power as I entered the neglected library. I know I haven’t been here long, but I can’t help but think that the library isn’t common knowledge—like the darkness only allows you inside if you’re invited.
“I just went on a walk,” I say, shrugging.
“Now who’s withholding information, Briar?”
Larkin refuses to talk about Barlowe, so until I can trust him, I’ll withhold any information I see fit. Plus, I may sound insane telling him I walked through a wall moments ago.
“I don’t owe you an explanation.”
Larkin sighs. “You should shift to Silas’s house. It’s late, and I’m exhausted, to be honest. Looking for you is a task, and I didn’t sign up as a fucking babysitter.”
I huff. “No one asked you to look for me.”
“I’m aware of that, but I can’t let anything happen to you on my watch.” He rubs his sagging eyes. “Please go so I can get some sleep.”
“Are you always this angry?”
“Pretty much.”
“Good to know,” I reply.
“Are you always this impulsive and reckless?”
“Truthfully?” I ask with a smile. “Yeah.”
“Go,” Larkin snaps, waving his hand. “Before I lose my godsdamned mind.”
