The Secret Chapter by Genevieve Cogman

Author:Genevieve Cogman [Cogman, Genevieve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Books

‘We have a loiterer,’ Indigo said.

Irene looked up from the detonator which she was assembling under Ernst’s guidance. ‘Whereabouts?’

‘By the main entrance.’ Indigo turned one of her screens so the rest of them could see the door to their building. She’d tapped into all the local cameras after the gang incident. ‘He’s been past twice and now he’s standing there, checking the list of tenants. Of course, he might not be here looking for us, but . . .’

‘But worst scenario is probably true,’ Ernst agreed philosophically. ‘If we dump his body a good distance away, it may take them longer to find us.’

‘Or it might lead people directly here, if he’s supposed to be investigating and goes missing,’ Felix pointed out. ‘If he’s one of that gang, he may be calling early for payment.’

Irene stared at the grainy black-and-white picture on the monitor. Indigo’s new equipment might be top quality, but the camera in the building’s lobby was cheap tat. Still, there was something familiar about him . . . ‘Can you get me a better image?’ she asked.

The camera zoomed in – and the man turned to reveal his face.

Irene and Kai looked at each other in shock. ‘It’s Evariste,’ Kai said.

‘If you both know him, then he’s a Librarian or a dragon. Which?’ Felix kept his tone casual, but Irene could sense the caution beneath it. Last night’s confrontation and discussion seemed to have brokered a truce between them, but it wouldn’t take much to break it again.

Indigo sniffed. ‘Not a dragon. Certainly not a dragon.’

‘He’s a Librarian,’ Irene said quickly, ‘and he may have an urgent message.’ She was remembering her email to Coppelia, and her need to know whether the treaty clashed with this job. Since she hadn’t gone back to the Library . . . the Library had come to her.

Felix put down the paperwork he’d been forging. ‘Are you backing out?’ he asked quietly.

‘I need to know what he has to tell me,’ Irene said, instead of answering his question.

Felix was silent.

‘I go down to get him,’ Ernst suggested. ‘Stay in room while they talk. I am neutral third party. I have no grudges. I crush anyone’s head if necessary, whoever they are.’

Irene reminded herself that Ernst was no more trustworthy than any other Fae in the room. Even if his ‘friendly thug’ attitude was easier to live with than Felix’s caution – or outright hostility. Then another thought struck her. ‘Indigo, can you get sound down there?’

‘Easily,’ Indigo replied.

‘There you go,’ Irene said. ‘You can listen to what we have to say. And I won’t need to bring him up here and expose you all.’

Felix looked as if he would like to object, but nodded. ‘That sounds fair enough.’

‘I’d better go down too,’ Kai suggested. ‘Just in case he tries anything.’

‘Well, of course. Anyone can see that you and Librarian girl are partners in crime.’ Ernst patted him on the shoulder. ‘Is rather cute, no?’

In the corridor outside, Irene took a deep breath.

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