Page 115 of The Alien in the Archive

Tomorrow will come, and with it, the unknown. But for now, in the silence of the reading nook, with Page’s body pressed against mine and the bond between us humming gently, I let myself hope.

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PAGE

The summons comes through my comm just before dawn.

Page– Need to meet. Come to my office when you wake. –Davina

It doesn’t say why. It doesn’t need to.

I sit on the edge of our collection of cushions, staring at the message while the last of last night’s warmth fades from my body. Thorne is still asleep, one arm heavy over my waist. For a moment, I just watch him, his face unguarded in rest, his hand curled like he’s still holding onto me. The bond hums faintly, quiet for once.

I push it aside and stand, tucking the blankets around him. “I’ll be back,” I whisper, though I know he can’t hear me.

I dress quickly, then—to my surprise—I manage to use my powers and unblock the door without incident. I leave the nook without waking him or Ashlan.

He needs his rest.

The walk through the Obscuary and back to the gate feels longer than usual. I try to focus on the summons itself,turning it over like a puzzle. If this is about the Obscuary, why now? Why not just wait until two weeks?

And if it’s about Lyn…why not go straight to security?

The gate to the Obscuary creaks open into the silent main hall of the Grand Library. The lift is ahead of me; Davina’s office to the right. I walk down the hall, my steps echoing, Davina’s door ahead…

…and I hear a voice.

Not Davina’s.

“…an ongoing concern, Professor Ferhalda,” the voice says—male, with an otherworldly hum beneath it. “Whether or not she realizes it.”

Shit.

I freeze outside the door, not wanting to take another step forward. I sense Thorne waking up without me, panicking.

Then Davina’s voice comes. “Page, are you out there? Please come in.”

Fuck.

I somehow manage to force my feet to move, closing the distance to the door. Davina’s office is open, but as suspected, she’s not alone; a Nyeri’i male is standing to my right. He’s got purple tendrils on his head, flicking slightly, and wearing a long black coat that makes his violet skin pop. His gaze flicks to me and narrows, a quick assessment.

Lyn is nowhere to be seen, but it doesn’t matter. I know she sent him. I’ve seen pictures from when Riley was applying to the Engineering program.

This is Dr. Kaelion Rhyss.

“Page.” Davina’s voice cuts through my thoughts, pulling my attention. She’s seated behind her desk, hands folded in front of her, her expression as neutral as ever. “Close the door.”

I do as I’m told, though my pulse kicks up as I turn backto face them. Rhyss doesn’t sit. He doesn’t even acknowledge me, really, beyond that first glance. He’s already decided who I am.

Davina gestures to a chair in front of her desk. “Sit.”

I don’t want to, but I do. The silence stretches just long enough to make me squirm before Davina breaks it.

“Dr. Rhyss has brought some concerns to my attention,” she says. “About your…activities in the Archive.”

I look at her first, searching for any sign that she might believe him. She doesn’t give anything away. Rhyss, on the other hand, is a wall of disapproval.

“I’m not sure I understand,” I respond, keeping my voice steady.

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