Chapter Twenty-Six

Lore wakes on the floor beside Gabe after the two spent the night together for warmth and comfort. Both are visibly embarrassed and vulnerable, but Gabe chooses not to discuss it, which Lore appreciates.

An envelope pushed under the door interrupts them. It is an Arceneaux invitation to a dinner and ball celebrating the coming solar eclipse, with Lore and Gabe among the selected guests. Lore realizes the event falls on Midsummer, her twenty-fourth birthday, and worries that it may connect to Anton’s earlier mention of planning a Consecration for her, though the invitation names only a ball and dinner.

Lore notices she has missed Alie’s standing tea invitation but considers attending next time to gather information or briefly pretend at friendship. After dressing, Lore and Gabe leave for the Church library by the back stairs, hoping to avoid attention, especially from Bastian. Lore remains unsettled by Bastian’s ability to drive Mortem away with his touch and decides not to tell him her suspicions about Spiritum yet.

On the way, Gabe explains that the Church library is accessible even to commoners under Malcolm’s care, except for restricted materials like prophecies requiring Anton’s permission. Gabe tells Lore how Malcolm loved books as a child, entered the Church library simply because he believed books were for everyone, and later joined the Presque Mort after an accident gave him Mortem-channeling ability.

Inside the Church, Lore observes stained-glass depictions of Apollius and the other gods, noting the strangeness of their presence in a faith centered on Apollius. Gabe distinguishes depiction from reverence but seems uncomfortable, especially near the dark window. At the library, Malcolm welcomes them and agrees to help when Gabe asks for information on Spiritum and how it might manifest, then reveals that Anton has been researching the same subject.