“Someone’s already noticed. What’s going on here?”
The female Attendant shrieks, dropping the stack of books she had in her hand. A shade of flaming red takes over the face of the male who’s crouched with her.
“Rising Chancellor.” He bows his head. “I’m not sure what happened. We were walking our rounds and found the books like this.”
“Yes, it’d seem a careless asshole came through here,” I state, raising my brow.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“No need to apologize. I’d have to agree with you. Allow me.” I bend down to help them, but the book I pick up first has me freezing.
The Tiers of Creation.
The fourth book on my list.
My head swivels both ways as I take in the mess strung out and only one thing comes to mind.
Riven.
Of course.
Things have been a touch too calm the past few days despite the absolute madness of the bigger picture around us.
Yemi this morning had him whirling over the fact she called him out and I can almost guarantee this was his way of getting back at her. While simultaneously ruining myboringplans.
“Rising Chancellor?”
“One of you go find the Guider on rotation and tell them it’s my order to begin cataloging again. Don’t clean this. The person responsible will.”
I stand and without another word, starshoot to the meadows. My eyes narrow as I stomp to where Riven is standing beside Verlet and Seismet.
He turns with a ridiculous look of surprise on his face. It widens even more as I shove him in his chest.
“Why do you do this constantly? Why is your mission in life to make mine harder at every turn?”
“Amick—”
“No, Verlet, do not get in the middle of this. Answer me, Riven.”
“First of all, I don’t know what the fuck crawled up your asshole, but it wasn’t me. Second, don’t act like I make your life any harder than you make mine.”
“You don’t know? Are you serious? Own up to your taurnshit for once in your life. This never-ending game of yours is exhausting and I’ve had enough. We haveenough going on without you pulling pranks that do nothing but delay me in everything I’m trying to do.”
His chaotic smirk that proved he was enjoying seeing me riled up slowly fades to a much darker look.
“I’m warning you once, Amick. Stop pushing me. I seriously don’t know what the fuck you’ve got going on right now, but you better get it under control before you say or do something you regret.”
I snatch at my roots as I try to get myself under control.
Gods, he loves this. He loves to push me.
Why? I don’t understand. What did I ever do to him?
I refuse to give him what he wants.
“Whatever. Gods, I can’t believe I had the mind to tell Kyzen…” I breathe, shaking myself out. “It doesn’t matter. Did you leave Thayla and Yemi in the Athenaeum after you messed up the books, or did you piss her off enough she went home?”
He scowls at me as his eyes begin to swirl. “Again, you know-it-all dickhead, I didn’t do shit. I haven’t seen the little burden since I left all of you in your office.”
