Aeron decided it would be better to hide the book than to wander the museum with it in his bag. The clutered office space made for the perfect hiding space, especially since the police had already checked it. They wouldn’t waste time rechecking it, would they?

Behind his only bookcase, he pried open a loose tile he’d discovered earlier that year while looking for a discrete space to hide a bottle of hard liquor, a gift from Seamus. The crevice looked as if it had been carved out by one of his many predecessors with improvised tools. He removed the book from his bag, placing it in the hollowed-out stone. Doing so, Aeron scraped the back of his hand on the sharp stone. He winced, but luckily the book remained undamaged.

Aeron conjured barely enough mana to stop the scrapes from bleeding and defend against further injury, but, feeling as depleted as he was, didn’t bother to fully heal himself. The strain of even this small spell made him doubt if it had been the right choice to decline Glynne’s invitation. But no, he needed answers first.

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Satisfied for having hidden the book, he left his office and made his way towards the library. The halls were as busy as before, but now that the book was safely hidden away, he felt more at ease. On his way out, he happily greeted the officer, who was still being berated by his fellow professor. His laps of worry had transformed again into pure curiosity. Distracted, he barely avoided a collision with someone.

Felian?

Felian’s eyes met Aeron’s for a brief moment, they looked alight with angry fire. Felian had strode out a door without looking. The director’s door Aeron noticed. Felian muttered something under his breath and stormed away.

Aeron watched him go. Flustered, as Felian normally would not have passed on an opportunity to belittle Aeron. Whatever discussion Felian had had with the Director, hadn’t gone as he had hoped. Aeron threw a final glance at the director’s slightly open door, before continuing towards the library. His was more curious about the book, than whatever got Felian upset.