Page 61 of Akarnae

“In any case, I always meet up with them at the New Year’s Eve Gala,” Jordan said, as if there had been no interruption. “My parents like to parade me around like a peacock, gushing over howtalentedI am and howproudthey are.”

He paused before continuing in a quiet voice, “Three hundred and sixty-four days of the year they hardly know I exist. And then, for just one day, they act like I’m the centre of their universe.”

“Jordan…” Alex didn’t know what to say, so she just placed her hand on his arm.

He smiled, but it was half-hearted at best. “Don’t worry, Alex. I’m used to it.”

“And there are benefits,” Bear said, plucking a blade of grass and shredding it between his fingers. “The Gala is the biggest New Year’s event amongst the upper classes. Blackmail certainly has its perks.”

Jordan saw Alex’s confusion and he smiled again—a proper smile this time. “A few years ago I told my folks that if they wanted to drag me along to play the ‘happy family’ charade, then they had to let me bring whoever I wanted with me. Bear has come with me every year since and, unless you have any objections, I’ll be dragging you along this year as well.”

Kaldoras at Bear’s house with her two best friends, and a New Year’s Eve party. Alex’s holiday was certainly looking up.

“Now,” Jordan said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation, “I could be wrong, but I think someone promised us we’d check out the Library this weekend?”

“You know, where I come from, most teenage guys avoid libraries,” Alex said. “If you’re not careful, people might start to think you’ve become nerds.”

“Hey, now,” Bear said, feigning hurt. “We prefer the term ‘library folk’. It’s much less derogatory.”

Alex and Jordan stared at him, before all three of them cracked up laughing.

“Library folk?” Jordan gasped out. “Where did you pull that one from?”

“I don’t know,” Bear said. “Must just be my superior wit.”

Alex sent him a sidelong glance. “That’s it exactly.”

“Well,” Jordan said, composing himself. “Let’s go and belibrary folk, shall we?”

It was only when they entered the foyer that they realised they had no idea where to start.

“Can’t you make another door appear or something?” Jordan asked.

“I told you,” Alex said, “I have no idea how I did that the first time. It was probably just a fluke.”

“You said that you justknewyou could do it, right?” Bear asked. “Why don’t we wander around and see if you feel something similar again?”

It was a logical suggestion, but Alex felt uncomfortable walking around and staring at the portraits and tapestries while waiting for something—anything—to happen.

“Miss Jennings?”

She glanced up and noticed the librarian waving at her. After exchanging perplexed looks, the three friends headed in his direction.

“Good morning, sir,” Alex said.

“Yes, yes,” he muttered distractedly. “Might I ask what you and your friends are doing?”

“Uh—” She hesitated, unsure what to tell him. “We’re just trying to get into the Library, sir.”

He raised a bushy eyebrow. “You didn’t think to use the stairs? Like every other time you’ve been here?”

Alex shifted awkwardly on her feet. “Well, we’re not really trying to get to that particular part of the Library today.”

“Nonetheless, I dare say it’s as good a place for you to start as any. More so than walking around aimlessly in my foyer.”

She nodded, understanding that perhaps they were looking in the wrong place. “Thank you, sir.”

“Where are we going?” Jordan asked as Alex led the way to the staircase.

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