Page 118 of The Alien in the Archive

“Good,” she says. “Do you have a way to contact him remotely? Or is he listening now?”

I swallow hard. “He’s listening now.”

She looks surprised, but…not as surprised as she might be. “Good. I’d like to meet him tonight in the Obscuary, if he’s willing. If possible, I would like access to the reading room so we can create a report for the administration.”

Thorne considers her words, then I feel his assent.

“He can do that,” I say.

“But…you should try not to return to the Obscuary,” she continues. “You could be followed.”

“But Thorne?—”

“Page, no,”he says in my mind. “She’s right.”

Davina watches me, cocking her head in curiosity. “Did he agree with me?” she asks quietly.

I laugh. “Yeah…he agrees with you.”

Davina smiles faintly. “Then we’ll proceed cautiously. I’ll be in the Obscuary at dusk. Tell him to meet me there.”

I rise to my feet as well, my legs steadier now that I have a path forward—tentative as it might be. “He’ll be there,” I promise.

“This won’t be easy,” she says, her voice quieter now, less of a supervisor and more of a confidante. “Once Thorne reveals himself, there’s no going back. You both need to be certain about this.”

I meet her gaze, unflinching. “Wearecertain.”

For a long moment, she studies me, as if searching for cracks in my resolve…but there are none.

“Excellent,” she says. “Then I look forward to meeting your Borean tonight.”

45

THORNE

Tonight will change everything…and determine if I’ll be parted from Page, or not.

I lurk in the shadows of the stacks near the gate, waiting for Davina and Ferhalda to arrive. Page is back at her cottage as we agreed–far enough away to avoid suspicion, but I can still feel her through the bond. She’s worried.

So am I.

Ashlan sits by my feet, the only sound his tail swishing lazily against the stone floor. For once, he’s content to stay quiet.

The gate creaks open.

Davina steps through, her eyes sweeping the darkness. A glow lamp illuminates her hand, its light glinting off her metallic skin and the silver in her dark hair. Her expression is careful, but not fearful. She’s searching for me.

I step forward into the golden light.

For a long moment, Davina just stares. I’ve seen that look before, but only from Page and Riley. The wide eyes, the slight parting of lips…but there’s no terror in her. No hesitation.

Just shock. Or perhaps curiosity, like she’s discovered something.

No wonder Page was selected as her mentee.

“You’re real,” she murmurs. “Thorne Valtheris.”

I nod once. “I am.”

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