Page 72 of Potions and Proposals
Lucy sank into her embrace, relieved not to fear burning her.
“It’s not easy,” she sighed into her friend’s shoulder. It felt nice to confide in someone other than Benedict. “I can’t believe how much I took it for granted. Fire is a whole different burden to bear. It’s true about not judging a person before walking a mile in their shoes.”
When she stepped back, Rosie was smirking at her.
“What?” Lucy frowned.
“Sounds like Benedict isn’t much of an enemy anymore.”
“More like a partner in crime now.” Though she still didn’t trust him as much as she wanted to, they’d come a long way in a short time.“We should get back to Emerson.” Lucy took some of the finished copies from Rosie. She wasn’t ready to answer any more questions about Benedict.
They returned to the table to find it already cleaned up, the files stacked in an orderly pile as though nothing had happened.
“Sorry again,” Emerson said, pulling out a chair for Rosie.
In her haste to get away, Lucy realised she had left the grimoire out in the open with him. She cursed herself for reacting emotionally and not considering how dangerous such a thoughtless action could be.She trusted Emerson, but with others in the library, it was best not to make careless mistakes.
“No harm done,” Rosie promised.
“Not like it was the grimoire,” Lucy added, “then we would’ve had to sacrifice you.”
The joke was met with a burst of nervous laughter that made her wish she’d kept her mouth shut.
“She’s joking,” Rosie said, leaning close to Emerson.
“Ah,” he said, before turning to Lucy. “I’ve got back-to-back lectures this week, but I’ve got a special warded case in my quarters at the university, if you’re comfortable with me keeping it until I can drive to the Order Institute on Saturday, and they’ll send it on to Rome.”
It was a relief to know his plan. Most of the time, couriers for the Order took her work and disappeared without explaining where they were going. She wondered where one of the institutes of the Order was. Then again, she hoped to never find out.Her kind didn’t tend to return from such places.
“My part is done; what you do with it now is up to you,” she said, trying not to let her desire to keep it show. “When do youexpect to return? Will this affect your position at the university, if you miss a day or two after just taking up your position?” She’d noted Rosie’s expression when Emerson talked of leaving.
“I should be able to return Monday evening, if not Tuesday morning. Once the order verifies the authenticity of the grimoire, I’ll be allowed to return,” Emerson said, glancing at Rosie, who hid her expression behind her pumpkin mug. Lucy could tell she was hanging on to every word. Clearly, she didn’t want him to leave.
“Good. I’m glad it won’t affect your work too much.”
“It would be better if I didn’t have to go at all. I feel like I was just starting to get settled,” Emerson said sadly.
Rosie concealed a smile behind her cup. Lucy wondered if she was the only one with secrets.Has something happened between them?
“Anyway, I should put this in the university vault before my last lecture,” Emerson announced, leaving them to get back to work.
“What?” Rosie asked as Lucy caught her watching him go.
“You like him!” Lucy nudged her with a wicked grin.
“He’s an Order member. I would have to be insane! And he’s a good assistant.”
“Sure, anassistant,” Lucy teased. “When has sanity ever stopped you from doing anything?”
Rosie growled at her in warning, returning her attention to the police file in front of her.“I have work to get to.”
“I told you my secret,” Lucy whined, leaning over the table.
“I found out about your secret– not the same.” Rosie started nervously organising her case files, avoiding eye contact. “Nothing’s happened. If it does, then you’ll be the first to know.”
“You know it’s risky. He would have to ask for permission—”
“I know. Our circumstances aren’t lost on me. That’s why nothing has happened, and it won’t happen until I’m sure he is worth the trouble.”
