Page 161 of Of Masks and Fury

“I borrowed them.” Kerralyn didn’t look up, her hands moving faster.

“When the library was open or closed?”

She finally met his gaze, her chin lifting. “Closed.”

Lexie pressed her hand over her mouth, but a smile tugged at her lips. Even Derren’s mouth twitched.

“You broke into my library,” Trew said slowly, as if tasting the words.

“Technically, I had a key.”

“Whydo you have a key?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Perhaps you should give the key to the Mistress Helwin, the head librarian,” he said, shaking his head, his eyes full of humor.

“I’d rather not interact with her if you don’t mind.”

He held out his hand.

“Aw.” Her shoulders slumped before she dug into her tunic pocket and pulled out the key, handing it over. “You don’t know how much I’m going to miss this.”

“Go to the library when it’s open,” he said sternly, fisting the key.

“I’d rather not do that either if you don’t mind. The head librarian and I…” Color rose into her face.

“You and Mistress Helwin what?”

“It’s complicated.”

His lips twitched. “So you’ve said already.”

“She and I were close. Now we’re not.”

He blinked a moment before his face cleared. “She’s at least thirty years older than you.”

“Age has nothing to do with anything.”

“I agree, which is why…” He held out the key in her direction. “Keep it. Just…” His sigh rang out. “I’d ask you not to steal books fromthe library, but I assume you return them in the same condition as when youborrowedthem.”

“Always.” She stuffed the key back into her pocket. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He turned back to selecting items off the shelf, speaking over his shoulder. “Does any of this have anything to do with your argument with Nia?”

“How do you know about that?” Kerralyn’s gaze shot to Gavelle perched on one of the shelves. “Oh.”

“Yes, oh.” Trew didn’t turn her way.

Kerralyn sighed. “Nia would rather I didn’t go to the library at any time.”

“To keep you away from Mistress Helwin?”

“Exactly.” Kerralyn looked down at her pack. “She’ll get over it.”

I returned to my own packing, adding a thin coil of rope and cloths and soap for bathing if we stopped near a stream. The practical task helped settle the adrenaline still throbbing through my veins from the chase. My hands shook with it, the memory of the woman’s body burning to ash making my stomach turn.

Someone had sent her. They may know we were going to search for my mother’s property.