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I give a tight nod. “Affirmative.”
Arden copies my action. “Just point the way. Which aisle for the paranormal and mystical studies?”
It’s impossible not to join Jesse in a snicker. “You mean whichaisles?” I point across the landing. “That whole section is practically devoted to the subject and its offshoots.”
The incubus groans. “And I thought the library in Dis had a healthy catalog.”
“Incubus for the valid point,” Jesse says. “You sure about trying to tackle this, buddy? You know I’ll be here for the ride, even if we have to suck it up and go over to Central, but—”
I shake my head so adamantly, my ponytail loosens. “Central’s probably closed. That library was built in the twenties. Quake retrofitting or not, they’re likely combing every inch of it for damage.” I look up to make sure Arden’s listening to my follow-up. “More than that, I’ve still got a shitty feeling about that ticking time bomb.”
Arden expresses his agreement with the new tension in his spine. “An adversary isn’t less of one because they’re invisible.”
“Which means it’s time to start peeling off the disguises.” I shore up my own stance. “I think we can do this with a three-pronged attack. Jesse, you start by cross-referencing astronomy, astrology, and even historical chemistry references to Hecate and her posse. That’s going to include Morgana le Fay from Camelot lore, Marie Laveau of the New Orleans mysticisms, and Aradia of the Wiccan histories.”
“Well, well, well, Professor.” My best friend accents it with a low whistle. “You’ve been added to some interesting VIP lists lately.”
Arden’s still indulging him with a small smirk when I pivot around. “Prieto, I’ll direct you to the classic arts section. Anything you can put together with cross searches will be appreciated. Any detail, however small, that you notice…whether it’s in a caption or actually on an art piece, it might be a link we’re missing.”
“Understood.”
“Maybe I’ll hit on something to join with it from the literary and poetry angles.” I rock on the balls of my feet, battling the bizarre urge to pump a fist and shout a corny line from a Dumas story. “Let’s do this. Three routes but one road, my friends.”
Too late. Dumas is either saluting or groaning from the grave.
“You know what I mean,” I mutter. “Let’s figure out this mystery.”
Jesse hits me with a contemplative scrutiny. “And if we don’t?”
“And I’m just being a paranoid dweeb who’s overheard a couple of witches in all the wrong ways?” I allow myself a small huff. “That’s totally something I can live with, buddy.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
KARA
“Hellooo? Ground control to Captain Valari?”
When even my dorky humor doesn’t snap Jaden into responding, I stomp over to practically face off with him.
“Hey. Head-in-the-clouds mode is my specialty, remember?”
At least he looks up for a second. “Yeah. Okay. Sorry. I was…trying to figure this thing out.”
I dip in with a chastising look, realizing I’ve probably channeled Mother in all the wrong ways. “A thing I might be able to help with, if I knew what it was.”
He grimaces. It’s not even the cute squinty frown he uses with the tabloids. “As they say in the greenroom, careful who you’re lending that ChapStick to.”
It’s definitely my turn for the scowl. “I’ve never heard that in a greenroom.”
“Because the last time you were inone was five years ago?”
I sigh and roll my head. The morning games were fun, but I’m going to be stiff from the newly stressed muscles. “Is this going somewhere besides us tradingTonight Showtaping stories, or do you want to gloat again about how I broke a heel and face-planted in front of J.Lo?”
“Oh, sister, how I wish,” he mutters.
Okay, this really isn’t good.
The new tangle in my gut decrees it before I unravel enough of my senses to check on his. Sure enough, all I’m receiving is more tension and confusion.
