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THE NEXT DAY AT PRESBY was an odd one I couldn’t exactly pinpoint why, but the mood was off The teachers were quieter than usual and seeht classes--were in attendance Sebastian was nowhere to be found, again And he hadn’t been at the house this ht before

I spent each class growinget back into the library By the ti to find out as going on Only he wasn’t there There was a note taped to the door, canceling training

So my pack over my shoulder, I climbed to the third-floor administration offices to see if Michel was in his office But when I cleared the landing, a heavily aruard stepped into uards barricading the hallway leading to the Novem’s private study, where Anesidora’s Jar was kept

"You’re not allowed up here"

"Uh Yeah, I am"

"Not anymore, sweetheart"

Oh, how I objected to that na tiht But I needed irl face "What happened? Is everyone okay?"

"Everyone is fine This area is off-liht blue, letting ht he could kick et through the other six guys blocking my way

"Can you at least tell me if Mr Lamarliere is in his office? I was supposed to turn in a paper and"

His brow lifted and histo keep trying?

"Fine," I bit out

My ed down the stairs The council had to be protecting the library, whichA break-in, maybe I needed to find Michel, or Bran, or Sebastian I slowed on the stairs, realizing I hadn’t seen any of the Novem heirs today either Shit I hurried to the first floor and out the front door What the hell had happened? The ht was the only tiether And none of them had shown up today

I sprinted past the cathedral and to the Cabildo building, which housed the Nove the entrance I didn’t even bother to ask The Novem offices were on lockdown too Damn it

I ran to Michel’s house and pounded on the main door After a minute, one of Michel’s servants who knew me finally answered "Is Michel here? I have to talk to him It’s really important"

"No, he’s not here" The servant stepped back and started to shut the door

"Wait, what about Sebastian?"

"No, I’m sorry"

I let out a huff "My father?" I swear if she said he wasn’t in, I was going to hit so

She stepped aside and allowed me to enter Finally "I know the way" I darted past her to the back of the house, out onto the large patio, then across the courtyard and garden to the cottagehome I knocked quickly

Relief flooded me when he answered the door

"Dad" As soon as the as out I realized--we both realized--it was the first time I’d called hie the aze sharpened, assessing "What’s wrong?"

"So last night The heirs were invited None of them--the heirs, the heads--are around They weren’t in class, the library is on lockdown, and the offices in the Cabildo are off-limits Have you seen Michel?"

He and Michel weren’t exactly the best of friends, consideringBut Michel had lent hi terms