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I found it difficult to ignore all the bookshelves, so I ended up in front of the first ceiling-high shelf I came across and realized that all the shelves in the room were part of the walls.

A wave of excitement washed over me and intensified as I ran my fingers over the many leather and fabric covers. This feeling was so intense that I couldn't take my eyes off the books. But I had to, so I tore myself away from the shelf and turned around with a sweeping motion.

My heart almost stopped as I stared across the room and examined the individual objects that were... floating in the air?

Books whose pages were turning as if by magic, an empty coffee cup spinning around its own axis, a paper crane, and fountain pens from which the droplets of dripping ink also floated around in the air above the desk.

It was as if I were dreaming, and with each new flying object, my fascination grew.

What kind of place was this?

Suddenly, the fire in the fireplace flared up and I recoiled.

Abruptly, all the objects fell to the floor. And not without a sound.

Shit.

What had I done?

If anyone had heard anything making noise up here, it wouldn't be long before Alarik was at the door... or worse.

With growing panic, I rushed to the desk and took the flashlight out of my jacket pocket, which almost slipped out of my now sweaty hand.

There had to be information here somewhere...

“I knew it.”

Larghetto – Piano, Celesta, Strings

“Kendall’s Return”

Nicholas Britell

An almost silent sound escaped me as I snapped around hastily and immediately pressed my hand to my mouth.

Yellow glowing eyes, dark brown, almost black long open hair.

Damn.

“Emely... I... got lost...” I began in a panic, but realized too late how pathetic this lie sounded. And it didn't get any better when my gaze wandered to the raised flashlight and then back to her.

Ashamed, I lowered the flashlight.

“That's exactly what it looks like,” she replied, closing the door and slowly walking toward me.

My panic grew.

“Bayla Adams with a flashlight in her hand in front of my uncle's desk.” She shook her head. “Lost?” Raising her eyebrows, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Tell that to Alarik, but not to me.”

Feeling guilty, I put the flashlight back in my jacket.

“I...”

“I know what you're up to,” she interrupted me. Her gaze became more serious. “I was there when you guys made your reckless plans.”

So, Julie had lied, and there really had been a Senseque there. Or she hadn't known...

“Trapped in a goddamn closet.”