Page 40 of Silent Oaths
Asudden noise sounds from the corridor.Myheart skips in my chest, and all the breathIwas holding rushes out in a sharp exhale.
Maxwell’seyes grow wide. “Shit.Someone’scoming.”
Weall scramble.Ishove the box back onto the shelf, my hands shaking asItry to make it look like we were never here.Julian’salready grabbing the papers, stuffing them into the box as quickly as he can.Wehave to get everything back where it was before whoever comes.
Iglance toward the doorway, my mind racing.Wewere supposed to be home alone today.
Maxwellglances nervously at the entrance, then back at the shelves. “Hurry.Weneed to get out of here before?—”
Thesound grows louder—footsteps and then a voice.Ican’t make out the words, but it’s close.
“Shit,”Imutter under my breath. “Wecan’t get caught.”
Julianslams the last of the papers into the box and quickly closes the lid, his fingers flying as he pushes the box back into its hiding place.
Maxwell’salready moving toward the door, ready to bolt if we need to. “Weslip out, act normal.”
Inod.
Withoutsaying a word, we all move as one, darting back toward the secret passageway.Thedoor slides shut behind us.
MaxwellandJulianmove quickly, each finding a corner of the library.Juliansettles on one of the couches by the fireplace, grabbing a random book off the coffee table and flipping it open like he has been reading it all along.Maxwellfollows suit, taking a seat on the other chair, pretending to read as well.
Itake a seat at the desk, pulling a book from the shelf nearby and setting it in front of me.Ican’t focus on the words, butIdon’t dare let my eyes wander.Wehave to look normal—like we’ve been here the whole time.
Thedoor creaks open, andLionelsteps into the room, his looming presence immediately filling the space.Hiseyes scan the library, settling on us with a knowing gaze.Iforce myself to keep my posture relaxed, likeI’mjust another kid lost in a book.Butinside, my heart is racing.
“Well, it’s good to see you boys making use of the library.Itrust you’re keeping busy?”Lionelremarks.
Hestands there for a moment, waiting for a response.Hiseyes linger a little too long on me, andIfeel a chill run down my spine.
Maxwellclears his throat and looks up from his book. “Yeah, just looking for something interesting.”
Juliannods, playing along. “Tryingto catch up on some studying.”
Lionelhums, still watching us with that unsettling look. “Itrust you’re avoiding trouble.”
Ican’t shake the feeling he’s onto us.
“We’regood,”Isay casually.
Lionelwatches for a beat longer before he nods, as if satisfied with our answers. “Verywell.Letme know if you need anything.I’llbe in my office.”
Heturns and walks out of the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
Thetension in the air finally breaks, but we all stay still.Wewait until we’re sure he’s gone, and then we let out a collective breath.
Istand up, pacing asIspeak in a low voice. “Thisis bigger thanIthought.TheAddingtons, the crash.Itall ties together.Therehas to be more to it.”
Maxwellsets the book down, finally giving me his full attention. “Yeah, but there’s something about all this that doesn’t sit right with me.Theyburied the truth for a reason,Theo.Weneed to be careful.”
Julianglances at him, then back to me. “Right, but what do we do next?Wecan’t just keep digging without a plan.”
“You’reright.Weneed to approach this smartly, but we can’t just walk away from what we found, not after seeing all those articles.Idon’t care how deepIhave to dig.Ineed to find the truth, andI’mnot going to stop untilIdo.”
16
ISABEL
