Glynne still seemed flustered by the confrontation. She was trying to get her breath under control as her hands tugged nervously at the edge of her long sleeves. Her eyes darting between the museum entrance and Felian, who by now was flirting with a police officer. Aeron noticed a thin bandage on Glynne’s writs as she adjusted her sleeves again - probably the most recent in long string of accidents.

“You have hurt yourself?” he asked, nodding at her wrist.

“Oh, this?” Glynne tugged at her sleeve, hiding the bandage. “It is nothing, only my usual clumsiness,” she murmured, her eyes darted back to the museum. “I stumbled over my TBR-pile.”

A siren in a police uniform landed beside the nearest officer. She spoke in a low, honey-sweet voice. Aeron pressed his finger on his lips and threw a conspiratorial look at Glynne. They listened in.

“...took more than just gold,” the siren said. “Some book from the director’s collection got stolen too.”

“A book?” the second officer scoffed. “Who risks a break-in for some dusty pages?”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“You don’t get it,” the first replied, shaking his head. “This book’s worth more likely than not more than its weight in gold. Some ancient elven script. They knew what was valuable, we are dealing with professionals here.”

Aeron’s grip tightened on his bag, suspicious of the book Seamus had found. Had Glynne noticed his uneasiness? But she was scribbling furiously in her journal, transcribing what they overheard. She gave Aeron a puzzled look.

“It is strange, no? They stole from his private collection, but he seems quite cheerful, doesn’t he?” Glynne said.

Aeron followed her gaze. The director, a stout druid with a regal air and a flowing beard, grey except for a pitch-black moustache, was descending the museum steps, his expression far too pleased for someone who had just been robbed. He stretched out his arms theatrically, his loud voice carried far over the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, the situation is under control. The authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. You may return to your work, though all lectures and public tours are suspended until further not

The old druid barely glanced at Glynne and other staff, but when made a point of nodding to all professors and clerics who were present. Felian Duskbourne, ever the opportunist, dashed up to the director, offering his assistance. As they disappeared into the building, Felian threw Areon a smug look, as if he’d just won some unspoken contest.