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"They’ve beenNot ere so close to finding answers

"The Radcliffe Science Library" Sean was apologetic, but his patience earing thin "It’s not the end of the world, Diana"

"Butthat is" I trailed off, the coers

"Don’t you read your e- out notices about the move for months," Sean said "I’m happy to take the request and put it in the system, since you’ve been away and apparently out of reach of the Internet But none of the Ashmole manuscripts are here, and you can’t call the room unless you have a bona fide intellectual reason that’s related to the encies we had planned for this --and they were many and varied--the Bodleian Library’s decision to move rare books and manuscripts from Duke Hu them We’d left Sarah and Aical backup Gallowglass and Fernando were both outside, loafing around the statue of Mary Herbert’s son Williaained entrance to the library after enticing the head of developet of Liechtenstein She was now on a private tour of the facility Phoebe, who had attended Christ Church and was therefore the only member of my book posse in possession of a library card, had acco patiently in a seat overlooking Exeter College’s gardens

"How aggravating" No matter how many rare books and precious manuscripts they’d relocated, I was absolutely sure Ashmole 782 was still here My father had not bound to its call number after all, but to the library In 1850 the Radcliffe Science Library didn’t exist

I looked at my watch It was only ten-thirty A swarle, their high-pitched voices echoing against the stone walls How long would it take me to manufacture an excuse that would satisfy Sean? Phoebe and I needed to regroup I tried to reach the spot on ed The shaft kept htest bit, I felt a warning prickle

"And don’t think it’s going to be easy to co at yourmy mind Humans never failed to activate their usually dormant sixth senses at therequests of all sorts for weeks, and no matter how many ti redirected to Parks Road"

"Tweed jacket? Corduroy pants?" If Peter Knox was in Duke Huuy who sits by the card catalogs" Sean jerked his thumb in the direction of the Selden End

I backed carefully out of Sean’s office across fro sensation of a vampire’s stare Gerbert?

"Mistress Roydon"

Not Gerbert

Benjamin’s arm was draped over Phoebe’s shoulders, and there were spots of red on the collar of her white blouse For the first time since I’d htly louder than usual Hopefully, Ysabeau or Gallowglass would hear his na I forced my feet to move toward him at an even pace

"What a surprise to see you here--and looking sofertile" Benjamin’s eyes drifted slowly over my brsts to where the twins lay curled in h to make a break for freedom Corra, too, twisted and snarled inside ot h et his mate And my brother’s, too" Benjarazed her flesh She bit her lip to keep fro by his father I wonder if he’ll stand by you, pet, once I’ve o, Benjaical part of istered their pointlessness There was no chance that Benjao

"Don’t worry You won’t be left out" His fingers stroked the place on Phoebe’s neck where her pulse ha plans for you, too, Mistress Roydon You’re a good breeder I can see that"

Where was Ysabeau?

The arrow burned against et Benja Phoebe? He had placed Phoebe slightly in front of hi a vaainst Phoebe’s neck

She whimpered "I could make those dreams come true With any luck I could send you back to Marcus with blood so strong you could bring hi in iven anized circles Snatches of spells and half-res from Goody Alsop chased Benjaed

"Use your pitiful poitch I may not knohat’s in the Book of Life--yet--but I’ve learned that witches are no match for vampires"

I hesitated Benjamin smiled I stood at the crossroads between the life I’d always thought I wanted--scholarly, intellectual, free froic--and the life I now had

If I workedback

"So?" he drawled

My back continued to burn, the pain spreading into h they held a bow, then aiht

My hand was no longer colorless A blaze of purple, thick and vivid, ran all the way down to the palic would decide to change now Think What was the nificance of purple?

I felt the sensation of a rough string scraping against my cheek I twisted my lips and directed a puff of air toward it No distractions Think Stay alive

When my focus returned to ible, bow e tingle fronized Rowan

And there was an arroeen olden arrowhead Would it find its target as the goddess had promised? Benjamin twisted Phoebe so that she was directly in front of him

"Take your best shot, witch You’ll kill Marcus’s war I came for"