Page 21 of The Alien in the Archive

That dream wasn’t just desire—it was power. His power over me, and the terrifying realization that I wanted it. Wantedhim. He’s thousands of years old, virtually a god who’s had ages to hone his powers…and I’m just scrambling around in the dark, playing at psychic.

The thought makes my stomach twist, equal partsapprehension and a dark, dangerous desire. I push it down, lock it away.

I should tell Riley. I should tell Davina, for fuck’s sake. There’s a Borean magister hiding in the Archive, and I’m theonly one who knows.

But even as I consider it, I know I won’t do a damn thing…because the truth is, I don’t want this to stop. Not yet.

Whatever Thorne is, whatever he’s doing, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s tied to the questions I’ve been chasing my whole life. Answers about humanity’s role in the Pact, about why my parents died, why I have these strange gifts.

If I tell anyone about him, it’ll all be over. The Boreans were hunted to extinction after the Celestial Convergence—when they finally invaded Earth, after Thorne kept it secret for so long—and I can’t imagine he’ll be the sole exception.

I can’t risk that.

I need answers more than I need safety.

And if I’m being honest with myself…part of me can’t stomach the idea of being the reason he’s destroyed.

The atriumof the Grand Library is already buzzing with activity when I arrive later that morning, its vast open space filled with early risers. Students, scholars, and visitors move between rows of tables scattered across the polished marble floor—sharing ideas, having breakfast, studying alone. Sunlight streams through the glass mosaic overhead, painting everything in gold and violet.

I would normally be on my way to the Obscuary by now, eager to get to work…but I promised Riley I would start having breakfast with him to, as he so eloquently put it, “give my brain a break.”

I’m regretting that choice more than ever when I want nothing more than to go racing back to Thorne.

I find Riley almost immediately, his laugh louder than any conversation. I weave between the scattered study groups and long marble tables to find him sitting with three others, mid-conversation. He spots me before I can hesitate and waves me over, grinning wide.

“There she is!” he calls, sitting back in his chair. “Come on, Page, you’re not getting out of meeting everyone forever.”

I sigh but keep walking, pasting on a polite smile. His friends are all looking at me now, and I feel a flicker of anxiety. Riley gets up to move me into a seat, taking my elbow. “Guys, this is my sister Page. Page, this is everyone.”

“Wow—very helpful, Riley,” I tease. “You could at least give me their names.”

“Fine, fine…” Riley gestures to the petite human girl beside him, her dark brown eyes assessing me with a spark of curiosity. She has short, springy curls that frame her face, and she’s drumming her fingers on the table in a rhythmic pattern.

“This is Lyn Walker,” Riley says, grinning. “Engineer, genius, and absolute nightmare to play cards with.”

Lyn raises an eyebrow at him, then extends a hand toward me. “Lyn,” she says, her voice cool but friendly, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Good things, I hope?” I say, shaking her hand.

“Mostly,” she replies, a sly grin creeping across her face. “Riley said you were the responsible one. I’m not sure I buy it.”

Riley laughs, but I catch the glint in Lyn’s eyes. She’s testing me, trying to figure me out. I can already tell she’s sharp—sharper than Riley, for sure—and probably won’t let me get away with much.

Before I can reply, the blond guy across from Lyn leansforward, resting his chin on his hand. He’s got a lazy, rakish grin, his amber eyes gleaming.

“And this,” Riley says, gesturing to him, “is Orin Takarr. He’s the guy who’ll either get you out of trouble or double down and get you arrested. No in between.”

Orin gives me a two-finger salute. “Hey there. So you’rethePage. Riley’s sister. I was starting to think you were a myth.”

“Nice to meet you.” I try to suppress a smile.

“Likewise,” he says, his grin widening. “And for the record, I’m much better at avoiding arrest than Riley gives me credit for. Not that he’d know—he’s usually the one dragging me into trouble.”

“Lies,” Riley hisses, but we all know Orin is absolutely telling the truth.

Orin’s laugh is low and warm, and I can see why Riley gets along with him. There’s something easy about him, like nothing could shake him if he didn’t let it. They’re alike, in a way…though I get the impression Orin has been in way more trouble.

“And lastly…” Riley motions to the woman sitting beside Orin, her opalescent skin shimmering with the faint outline of scales in the soft sunlight streaming through the dome. Her golden eyes flick up to meet mine, shy and uncertain, and her lips quirk into a hesitant smile.

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