Page 22 of The Duplicity of Thieves

It’s a heavy accusation. It’s a common misconception that witches were the only ones that held Magic. The Remnant believe that our ancestors had the ability to use it at one point, but we were cursed, and the Magic disappeared. Allegedly, witches still possessed small strands of it. They weren’t liked by anyone, in fact, they ended up being considered heretics. Still, once Hades’ regime took over, he looked at us all the same.

There’s not talk of witches, but I know she was one. It was one of many secrets we kept in our house. I put on my practiced face of shock.

“Did Kate ever tell ya ‘bout the Mondurians?” he continues on.

There’s lore among the Remnant. Once upon a time there were monsters. It’s more like a bonfire story or something you tell children so they’ll act right and stay out of the forest. It’s the worship of Li Davös Hoyas; the leviathan. They disappeared, rumored to return again someday. Fat fucking chance. Kate was a true believer, arguably the only one. The Remnant believe, but it’s out of tradition not devotion.

“Of course she did. You know that. She preached to everyone about the Mondurians.”

“Did ya ever see a book?”

“What do you mean a book? She had a fucking library, Stafford.”

“Witches always had a grimoire. Somethin’ that had all their spells. Ya really didn’t know she was a witch?”

“I just thought she was weird. We all are. I never saw a book. Someone wants it?”

He nods pensively. “These people… they’re lookin’ for it.”

“Well, good luck to them. Not sure you can find something that doesn’t exist.”

“Ya don’t think it’s real?” Staff, ever the treasure hunter.

“How could it be? Even if it was, I'm sure it burned in the fire.”

“There’s truth to every rumor, lass.”

“And this rumor, that I will inevitably have to chase after, is what?”

“I don’t want ya touchin’ this for now,” he warns. It’s a crushing blow. I don’t like being left out. It reminds me of before.

“Are you joking?”

“Does it sound like I am?”

No, it doesn’t.

“And you’re going to give it to them? The book?”

He avoids a yes or no answer. “Fanatics are dangerous. Whatever they want can’t be good. But if they want it so badly, and they’re comin’ to us, it’s sayin’ somethin’. Can’t have it in the wrong hands.”

“No,” I refuse.

“This isn’t up for discussion.”

“I’m the best for the job.”

His face softens when he sees that I’m hurt. “Listen, I’ll need yer help, just not now. Ya don’t need to be nosin’ ‘round. Too much is at stake, and I don’t think it’d be good for ya. Plus, can’t loose my best employee. For the time bein’, I think ya should take a break. People are lookin’ for things having to do with Kate, and I think they’d take the next best thing.”

He’s right. Kate hid me away, but she hid this book away, too, if it was real. A first nibble of the secrets she was keeping.

I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Fine.”

“Good.” He stands up and prowls around the desk. “It’s not forever. I’m sure the whole thing’ll blow over in a few weeks.”

Nothing has ever just ‘blown over’, but Stafford has made it clear that this isn’t a choice.

After Stafford banned me from work, I went straight home. The pub is the only place I tend to hang out unless Vivian drags me somewhere, which is rare. It’s been three weeks with no word from him or anyone else. Only Vivian stops by to make sure there’s food. The new normal.

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