Page 63 of Harbinger

“Lost,” I lie.

Bishop tilts his head, studying me, but Taliesin grins and gestures to my outfit.

“I like you in uniform,” he says. “You look like you could punch a man in the throat and no one would even question it.”

Tendrils of suspicion twist through me. I don’t trust that smile. Not anymore. But it’s not like I can call them out without admitting I overheard them in the kitchen. I glance at Bishop, then pin a bland expression on my face. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Taliesin leans closer to him but doesn’t bother to lower his voice. “I think she wants to punch you.” He straightens up. “All I ask is that I’m there to witness it when you do.”

I force a laugh. He can keep charming me, but we’ll never be friends after last night.

“Taliesin is going to give you the tour,” Bishop tells me, starting down the corridor.

“What?” I follow him, shaking my head. “I don’t need a—”

“I don’t mind,” Taliesin says. “I’m more than available.”

As if that’s my concern.

Bishop looks at him, the edge of a smile ghosting his lips. “Can you try to have better manners than last time?”

“Which time was that?” Taliesin asks. “The last time you asked me to show someone around, or when I got punched in the throat last?”

“Why can’t you show me around?” I ask Bishop, not wanting to be left in the care of his two-faced friend. I must be fucked if I prefer Bishop’s grumpy ass.

“I have a meeting in Florentia.”

“But you just got back.” Panic spikes my blood.

“It’s part of the job,” he reminds me. “Don’t worry. Taliesin will take care of you.”

I bet he will.

“And I only bite when bitten first,” Taliesin promises as we reach the great room.

Bishop grimaces. “I should have asked Vessica.”

My gaze darts in the direction of the library. Maybe she’s who I saw going inside. “We could find her.”

“She’s already in Florentia.” Bishop studies me. “Lenora went shopping in the village, but if you’d rather stay here alone …”

No one else is here, so who went into the starsdamned library? Something icy chases my lingering panic.

“No.” Not if there are fucking ghosts in Miradores. That’s the last thing I can handle today. “Maybe I should come with you.”

I’m not looking for answers in a haunted library.

“You can’t. I’m meeting with Patron Leontia.” He pauses and lowers his voice. “Is something wrong?”

I could tell him what I saw. Seven hells, I probably should. But something holds me back. Probably my complete lack of trust in him. “I’m fine.”

He nods, but suspicion clouds his eyes. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Try to stay out of trouble.”

There’s a weariness in his voice that suggests how unlikely it is that I’ll listen to that command.

He’s right. Trouble might be the only way out of here.

Bishop pauses to give Taliesin a few more instructions before he crosses to the secret postern and activates it.