Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(69)

Bryn nodded. “That was sort of the plan.”

“And you know asking for access to the vaults will raise a few red flags with the Directorate.”

Valmont drummed his fingers on the desktop. “I want to see what’s in the vaults, but not at the expense of Bryn’s safety. Do you think pursuing this quest, for lack of a better term, will endanger her?”

“Knowing Bryn, she won’t rest until she sees the vaults for herself. As her knight, I hold you responsible for making sure she isn’t out after curfew.”

Listening to them discuss her like she wasn’t present was delightful. “I am standing right here, you know.”

“I know you’re here,” Miss Enid said, “as does anyone watching the camera feeds on the top floor.”

Bryn scanned the ceiling for a red light or a mirrored dome or any clue that a camera was present and recording her every move.

“You won’t see them, but they will see you,” Miss Enid said. “After Christmas, the Blue Clan claimed offices on the top floor and had surveillance security cameras installed throughout the library.”

“Why?” Valmont asked.

“The more offices they have, the less likely people with ill-intent will be able to find them.”

“To sum up, whatever we do in the library is being recorded and analyzed.” Bryn frowned. “I still need to see what’s in the vaults if you can make it happen.”

Miss Enid typed on her computer. “I’ll submit a form saying you would like to do a research paper on lineage checks. Given your impending union with Jaxon, no one will suspect you aren’t interested in that topic.” Her fingers flew across the keyboard, and then she hit enter. “Now we wait. I’ll let you know when I have their answer.”

It took three days for Bryn to hear back from Miss Enid about the vaults. “You can visit the vaults this evening for two hours,” the librarian said from behind the front desk. “Are you wearing a watch?”

“I am.” Valmont held out his wrist.

“Good. Follow me.” Miss Enid signaled Bryn and Valmont should follow her to the offices behind the desk. They walked through a room with a copy machine and entered the back storage area, which housed damaged books waiting to be repaired. There was no other door visible.

“Here we are.” Miss Enid smiled at Bryn and held out the key.

“Are we playing guess where the hidden door is?” Valmont asked.

“Look down.” Miss Enid pointed at the floor.

Hinges and a keyhole on the floor were the only clue a trapdoor lay underneath. The edges matched seamlessly with the hardwood floor. Bryn took the key, knelt and placed it in the lock. She turned it hard to the right. There was an audible click, and then the trap door swung up and open, revealing a narrow set of corkscrew stairs.

Bryn stepped down onto the first step and then paused. “Valmont grab the key.”

“You won’t need it.” Miss Enid retrieved the key and pocketed it. “The locks are meant to keep people out, not trap them inside.”

“Are you sure?” Bryn asked. “The universe seems to have a strange sense of humor when it comes to messing with me.”

“True.” Miss Enid pointed down the staircase. “But the trapdoor is the only way in and out of this area.”

“The blueprints of the library showed vaults under all four corners of the building,” Valmont said. “Does this lead to all of them?”

“It leads to the area you’re allowed to access.” Miss Enid emphasized the allowed part. “Do not push your luck right now searching for something which may not exist. I applaud your quest for knowledge, but the Directorate is on high alert. Do not give them a reason to doubt your grandfather’s loyalty.”

It was on the tip of Bryn’s tongue to say her grandfather had nothing to do with this, when she remembered her grandmother saying everything she did would reflect on them. “I’ll be careful.” That was the only promise she was willing to make.

“Let me go first.” Valmont drew his sword. “As Miss Enid said, these are strange times.”

He descended the stairs. As the sole of his boot hit each step, the rim of the next step lit up, providing enough light to see the step in front of him, but nothing of what lay beyond. The stairwell was so narrow Valmont’s shoulders almost brushed the stone walls.

“Were people smaller when they built this?” Bryn asked.

“It’s probably for defensive purposes. Any battles would be one on one. No group could sneak up on whoever was guarding the stairs.”

“Good thing I’m not claustrophobic.” The stairs curved back on themselves five times before they reached a stone landing four feet wide where a wall sconce shaped like a torch flared to life. “Nice theatrics.” Bryn inhaled stale air that made her mouth taste like dust. “We should have brought bottled water.”

“I doubt drinks are allowed in the archives.” Valmont moved forward down the hall, which was wide enough for them to walk side by side.

The stone of the floor and walls were mortared together with something that sparkled, like ground-up diamonds. What was that about?

The hall ended in a large wooden door with iron hinges.

Valmont touched the hinges. “Look familiar?”