Amity fidgeted with her sheet of paper, waiting nervously in one of the backroom offices of the Bonesborough Library. She had been expecting severe repercussions after her behavior at the Blight Industries sale, but after nearly a week since the encounter, she had barely seen either of her parents. The few times she interacted with her mother, she had been back to her happy, if unsatisfied with those around her, self.
"Amity? You may come in now." Prentiss announced, opening the door to Malphas' office to allow her in. She stood and walked past the older gentleman. She had been volunteering at the library for over a year and had been entrusted to look after it alone on occasion. Most recently, during the Wailing Star event, that had gone awry thanks to her siblings and Luz. Fortunately, Luz had at least decided to stay and help clean up the mess afterward, and they had begun their reluctant friendship ever since.
Malphas' office was large yet crowded, with books on every shelf, desk space, and even floor space with just enough room to allow the Master Librarian to float in and out as needed. Malphas was an exceptional demon who could stand three times the height of most adults if he stretched. Typically, the black feathered being sat hunched over, floating on a massive book that read STAFF along the spine and contained the entirety of the Bonesborough Library's history of librarians stretching far into the Savage Ages. He had a long, shiny black beak and glowing yellow eyes on the sides of his head that he often had to turn slightly to observe something through his reading glasses that caught his attention. Large feathery wings stretched from his back under his thick grey robes, molting feathers about the office, and curled talons protruded from his hands and feet.
Despite his intimidating appearance, Amity knew Malphas was surprisingly laid back as long as his rules were followed. Amity had never had an issue with his rules and had been rewarded with her private study. However, she felt ready to step up after standing up to her mother to defend Luz. As vile as she had felt after walking Luz back to the Owl House and realizing what she had done, it had awakened new confidence in her.
She gently scooted an echo mouse off the seat opposite Malphas and sat, offering the Master Librarian her sheet of paper and then folded her hands in her lap when he took it to look over. "You've been with us for, like, a year now, haven't you?" he asked. His overly calm voice was somewhat nasally, as though he was speaking partially through his beak.
"Since Bloodgust thirteenth, so one year, three months, and seven days." Amity said, consciously trying to smile for the interview. "I have thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to volunteer here, sir."
"Well, it looks like you've really started to grow in that time too, like, confronting a slitherbeast at the Knee? Protecting the Library during the Wailing Star? Reading to the witchlings on a weekly basis?"
"She's been especially helpful in that regard, sir." Prentiss added.
Malphas held up a lazy hand and nodded to acknowledge him before continuing. "You've even, like, received praise from Warden Wrath in regards to his son wanting to continue returning. It also says here that you've volunteered your time at your parent's business over the last, like, five years. That's like, pretty impressive, Amity." he said, putting her resume down on his desk and entwining his craggy fingers in front of him. "As I'm sure you know, Gary had to take some stress leave, so if you're, like, willing… I'd like you to work the weekends. At least until, like, Gary returns."
Amity couldn't help but feel her forced, 'public face' smile grow into one of genuine happiness. Finally! Independence! It wasn't much yet, and she would have to overlap her homework with her job, but it was the first step on the road to making her own money doing something she loved even more than abomination magic. "Thank you, sir! I won't let either of you down!"
"Prentiss will get you a staff card that will, like, allow you access to the library and all of its non public areas. Just, like, keep in mind that the Forbidden Stacks remain out of bounds for everyone but me." Malphas explained. "Honestly, it's like, an edict from the Emperor himself."
Amity cocked her head to the side slightly. She knew no one but Malphas was allowed into the Forbidden Stacks, but she hadn't been aware that the Emperor had decreed that particular rule rather than Malphas. It seemed odd that he would concern himself with the rulings of the local library, but she passed it off as a ruler's wisdom. "I understand, sir."
"Come along then." Prentiss said, gesturing for Amity to exit the cluttered office. "Let's set up your card and get you to work."
Amity smoothed out her shirt, unconsciously bundling the hemline in her lap before standing. "Thank you for the positive review, sir." she told him once they returned to the hall. Prentiss nodded but remained quiet until they reached his office. Contrasting Malphas, Prentiss' office was immaculately organized. He ushered her into the room and opened a drawer on his desk, pulling out a small camera demon that blinked its single eye against the brightly lit room.
"Hold still and smile, please."
Amity wasn't fond of pictures, and despite her excitement at being officially given the opportunity to work at the library, she only managed her usual half-smile after being prodded to perform the expression. "So what will I be starting with?" she asked, blinking away the flash as the camera demon spat out her picture. "Organizing the fiction section? Sorting through the attic?" she asked. She gasped as a thought occurred to her, "Maybe feeding the Paper Dragon?"
Prentiss stared at her for a moment, his expression as dry and humorless as it ever was. "Not quite…"
Amity stood behind the checkout desk, reluctantly greeting patrons as they entered the library and checked out their desired books. Unfortunately, the Bonesborough Library had a policy of not allowing anyone without a library card to enter past the checkout desk to keep theft or vandalism to a minimum. Amity was finding her enthusiasm waning while having to deal with customers.
For the most part, verifying library cards was a simple spell that caused each card to glow blue or red, depending on whether the holder had fees or books to return. Some customers, such as Matholomule, tried to take up her time with the expectation that he was doing her a favor. He must have stood at the desk speaking for at least an hour before someone of interest finally entered the building.
Lilith Clawthorne, disgraced Emperor's Coven Head and Amity's former mentor, crept through the large double doors of the library. She was the woman who had gotten her addicted to Power Glyphs that sent her through withdrawals and weakened her magic for months. Amity narrowed her eyes at Lilith despite her instinct to straighten her posture. She wore a blood-red patchwork dress and a black shirt that read SURVIVING PURELY OUT OF SPITE on the front. She looked inside cautiously for anyone who might recognize her before meeting Amity's expression and sighing. Then, smoothing her long black hair and composing herself, she took a breath and approached the desk.
"Amity." Lilith said in greeting. "How nice to see you again. I had forgotten you volunteered… oh, I see you're on staff now. Well done."
"Well, you never did take much interest in anything other than how I could be used." Amity replied, looking her old mentor up and down. "Dressing a bit more casual than in the Emperor's Coven?"
"I'm afraid I'm having to borrow my sister's wardrobe lately after leaving the Emperor's employ with little more than the clothes I was wearing at the time." she said before clearing her throat. "I, erm, don't suppose I can still enter the library on my reputation?"
"I'm sorry Ms. Lilith, but library policy states that without a card, you can't pass this desk."
"As expected." she replied in silent frustration. "Which is why I brought some assistance." she added with a smile. Lilith paused, seemingly waiting for something, before looking to her side to notice something was missing. Then, realizing where what she lost was, she stepped aside to reveal Luz standing behind her shyly. "Luz, if you wouldn't mind?"
"Hey… Amity… I have a card right here that's standing good, I mean, in good standing, should be…" she stammered. "I mean, I have a card that should be in good standing. Heh."
Amity felt herself begin to warm, but she forced her feelings down. Were things awkward now, after the Blight Sale? Luz was acting strange lately, and Amity couldn't help but feel her attempts to build a growing friendship with her were failing. She twirled a finger, and the library card glowed, showing an illusion of Augustus Porter with two books checked out only a few days ago. One was titled Illusions to Distract and Behold, and the other, Magus Sapien: A History of Witches. "Luz, please tell me you didn't steal Gus's library card!" she whispered.
Luz's eyes widened as though embarrassed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "What? No! I didn't… we're just borrowing it! It turns out that Eda's actually been banned since I used hers to return those books during the Wailing Star, and Lilith…"
"Yes, there's no sense being subtle. The consequences of my current situation seem to be quite clear to everyone we've come across." Lilith scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Can we enter the library or not?"
"We promise we won't cause any trouble, Amity." Luz assured her, averting her eyes everywhere but to Amity's.
Amity frowned in confusion but nodded. "I trust you, Luz." she replied, emphasizing her name to clarify that she wasn't including Lilith. "Is there anything I can help you find?"
"Oh, well actually…" Luz began before Lilith spoke up.
"Actually, we are looking for any information about an island several hours off of the coast of the Boiling Isles that is strangely not on any map that I was previously aware of. Any information would likely be very old."
"How old?" Amity asked, suddenly curious. "Been on another adventure?"
"We're not sure exactly how old…"
Luz suddenly leaned forward, whispering excitedly. "King led us to this cool tower out in the Boiling Sea that no one knew about and it had this weird meat monster that we thought was trying to kill us but it was really trying to protect King and we found out that Eda had the rest of his broken horn all this time and it wound up restoring some of his memories from when he was born but there were all these amazing symbols and paintings and Lilith thinks they're super old so we're hoping that maybe we can find something out here." she explained, her voice rising as she ran out of breath.
"Well, we might be able to find a reference to it on the crystal balls, but if it's from the Savage Ages, it might be off limits to anyone but Malphas."
"Hmph… The Emperor dictating our history, no doubt." Lilith commented. "Still, it's worth looking into. Are we free to enter?"
Amity sighed but relented. "Just don't cause trouble this time? Either of you." she added, narrowing her eyes again at Lilith.
"Don't worry, Amity. We'll be on our best behavior." Luz assured her, putting the borrowed library card back in her pocket.
"I'll keep an eye on them." Matholomule said from where he had remained beside the checkout desk.
His words grabbed the attention of a surprised Amity, Luz, and Lilith. "Why are you still here?" Amity asked, glaring.
"All crystal balls are connected to the Titan's reticulum, giving us access to information across the Boiling Isles. Our scrolls, Penstagram, and the Emperor's Guard are all connected through the network as well." Amity explained, leading Luz to a long table where several demons and witches were sat in front of a series of crystal balls, each displaying either text or videos of whatever was of interest. Lilith had opted to search the demon decimal system instead.
"Cool! It's like the internet. I was wondering how everything was connected here. You guys have texting, TV, cat-demon videos. Why is it called a reticulum?" Luz asked, earning her a glance of warning from Prentiss.
"Volume, Luz." Amity warned with a smile. "It uses the Titan's nervous system somehow. The Illusion and Construction Covens mainly look after it. The Human Realm has one too?"
Luz nodded nervously, taking a seat as directed. "Ours is kinda like that, I guess. Does the Boiling Isles have…" she trailed off as a shadow seemed to fall across her features, "A Dark Web?" Amity looked at her in confusion for a moment before Luz continued. "Nevermind! Heh-heh-ugh."
Amity leaned down beside Luz, touching the smooth, curved surface of the crystal ball to activate it. "Do you have anything specific in mind to search for?"
"Hmm?" Luz grunted. "Oh, uhm, how about King of Demons?"
Amity twirled a finger around the top of the orb, and a series of organized letters and numbers appeared, allowing her to type in the search parameters. But unfortunately, there didn't appear to be anything specific to what Luz described. Instead, it only displayed a book of fiction entitled RULER'S REACH and a comedic series of video programs aimed at middle-aged witches. "I'm guessing that's not what you're looking for?"
"Close, coincidentally enough." Luz replied, rolling her eyes at the work of fiction. "But I think I can figure it out from here. Y'know, if you have other stuff. I mean, I don't want to keep you if you're busy. This is really more Lilith's area of interest…" she rambled before tightly buttoning her lips.
"Oh." Amity paused, pulling back and standing. "I guess I'll go see if she needs my help then." she said. She had felt a hint of excitement at seeing Luz arrive, but the feeling clearly wasn't mutual, and she sadly moved away to find Lilith.
She found her in the historical section, a collection of books around her in a nest-like fashion as she flipped pages in frustration. "Why is there nothing here? These symbols must mean something!" she mumbled, inspecting a series of photographs she had scattered in front of her.
"Can I help you find something?" Amity asked, leaving off the 'Ms. Lilith' that she would generally have addressed her with. She looked down at her old mentor with quiet annoyance, knowing she would likely be the one to have to clean up this mess.
"Not unless you can find me access to some older references. Much older." Lilith said, resting her back against the bookshelf she was huddled against. "If I was still in the Emperor's Coven, I could just… demand access! Of course, I'd never have needed such old material." she groaned.
Amity hesitated and folded her arms over her chest. She looked down at a woman who had just lost everything and judging her by her past actions felt hypocritical. "Are those pictures from the tower you found with King?"
Lilith held up one of the pictures and sighed. "Yes. During my time with the Emperor's Coven, I earned my place as one of the foremost historical researchers, but I have never heard of or seen anything like what I had seen there. It's either been purposely hidden or it predates any known record I've ever seen."
"Well, it looks like you've already found the oldest stuff I know of. Just how important is this?" Amity asked, contemplating using her card to access the Forbidden Stacks. Lilith's interests in far-flung history hardly seemed worth risking her job or life.
"Honestly, I don't even know. I just… want to feel useful to someone again. But with no allegiance, and no magic outside of glyphs, I thought I at least had knowledge to share. It turns out, I don't even have that."
Amity rubbed her arm awkwardly, suddenly uncomfortable having her former mentor confide in her. "Uhm, why did you leave the Coven? I mean, I saw the news, but I'm guessing a lot more went on than what we were told."
Lilith looked up at her quizzically. "Luz hasn't told you? The way she…"
"She what?" Amity asked, her ears suddenly perking up. She could feel the pointed tips begin to warm, but she resisted the urge to cover them.
"It's not really my place." she replied nervously. "Anyway, I made a significant mistake in my past that I have spent all my years in the Emperor's Coven trying to rectify. Gaining loyalty, prestige, command… but it turned out to be all for nothing. I discovered that I was… used. Much like I did you, I suppose. While I did manage to help my sister somewhat, it cost me my career, my magic, and any friends I thought I may have had."
"Don't you have any other family?"
Lilith let out an indignant snort. "Despite my position, my parents cared very little about my accomplishments so I highly doubt they would come to my assistance." she said, taking a deep breath. "But, these are my burdens to bare. My apologies, Amity." She stood from her nest of books and straightened her clothes before stepping out of her mess.
"Hey, guys." Luz said, announcing her presence. "Find anything?"
"Unfortunately no." Lilith replied. "Whatever King's tower truly is, it has been lost to time."
"Well, I'm sure something will come up. Maybe there's a way to get his dad's attention." Luz said, taking on a cute thinking pose with one hand on her chin and the other on her hip.
"Well, if his dad is anywhere on the Isles, using the reticulum would be your best bet." Amity suggested. "Maybe a big event like the Gland Prix that's coming up in a few weeks."
Luz's eyes widened, and her lips slowly twitched as Amity's words sunk in. "I'm not sure what that is, but I'll bet it's brilliant!" An assortment of hostile shushes met them from nearby aisles and tables, and Luz let out a quiet "Sorry!" in response.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help here," Amity said, "but I really need to get back to work."
"Not to worry. I'll chalk this up to yet another recent loss for Lilith Clawthorne. However, I'm sure one day some information will come up."
"Are you okay to do the shopping on your own, Lilith? I, uh, might try looking up a few other things now that I know how the internet thing works here." Luz stammered. "Maybe I can meet you in the market in a bit?"
Lilith shifted her eyes, one of which had now turned grey, Amity noticed, between the girls several times before brushing past them. "Fine. But I do hope you still intend on helping pack the cart. Eda's appleblood isn't exactly light."
"You have my word." Luz grinned. The pair watched the woman leave through the front door before Luz turned to Amity. "So… Bonesborough Library. The B-Lib. The Ol' Bone Depository… y'know what? Forget I mentioned that one. Where we first kinda, sorta became friends. And you work here now, like for real, huh? Still, uh, reading to the kiddos?"
Amity let out a cautious laugh. "Well, it's only my first official day on staff." she said, picking up the books Lilith had left on the floor. So many of them weren't even from where she chose to sit. "But yeah, reading to the witchlings is a good part of the job."
Luz also picked up an armful of books, following Amity around like a talkative cart. The company was welcome, though she did receive the odd dirty look from Prentiss due to quiet fits of giggles once they passed the Romance section.
"I'll bet you're a real expert, having your secret room right behind here, huh?" Luz asked in passing, causing Amity's entire body to feel flush. "I don't mean you've read them all, I just… oh man."
Amity took a breath in an attempt to banish her embarrassment. "Well, most of them." she smiled shyly. "Nightlight, Tusk Love, Love and Humans…"
"Whoa! I wonder what that's about."
"It's about two witches that get split up when one falls through a portal in a lake during a gorenado and the other treks across dimensions to save her girlfriend."
"Cool! We don't get a lot of stories like that in the Human Realm…"
"Humans don't have romance?" Amity asked, confused.
"Oh, we definitely do. Just finding stories with characters that are like me are few and far between."
"Oh." Amity said, waiting for Luz to clarify further. Amity returned the last book Lilith had taken in a history section when she didn't. "Well, I need to check on the book worms and then start cleaning up. Thanks for, uh, keeping me company today. It kinda made the day go faster."
Luz's dark skin seemed to brighten somewhat as she grinned and nervously clapped a fist into her other hand. "I really liked keeping you company too. And, uh, thanks for the help with that King issue."
"Oh, uh, don't mention it. It is my job now, after all." They stood there in awkward silence before she continued. "Soooo you're just going to go find Lilith then? No grand adventure planned for tonight?"
"Pfft!" Luz said, waving away the thought. "They're rarely planned! I did want to check out some books that might help with researching portals though."
"Okay. Did you need any help?"
"I, uh, already got it covered, actually."
"Well, maybe I'll see you at school then?"
"Right. Yeah. Of course." Luz laughed. "I'llllll be there." she added, drawing out the words as though she was suddenly uncertain before slowly backing away.
Amity watched Luz leave before letting a small smile crack her stoic expression. With a wistful sigh, she turned to find Osran, the head witch of the Oracle Coven, waiting patiently behind her and causing her to shout out in surprise.
The demonic witch was a stout, older man with light purple skin, black eyes with bright blue sclera, and a tired expression born from peering into crystal balls for hours on end. His four thin arms were clasped behind his back, and his white, tendril-like hair was wound into his similarly long moustache and tied into a clawed bun behind his head. Blue and dark purple robes hid his hunched-over figure, and the feathered end of a quill pen poked out from them. "Ms. Blight." he said, his voice surprisingly smooth for his apparent age.
"Head Witch Osran! I didn't know… what are… is there anything I can help you with?" Amity stammered nervously. Osran was potentially the most powerful Oracle on the Boiling Isles, a master of mind reading, spirit channelling, and precognition, not to mention her mother's personal tutor when she was young. Amity and her siblings had been taught that he was the reason the Blight Family had become so successful until Jinn had told her otherwise. He represented everything Amity feared in Odalia.
Osran's face wrinkled with a kind smile beneath his moustache as he considered Amity's half questions. "My child, be not afraid. I was simply perusing your fine texts and noticed you were obediently scurrying about. Tell me, how are you enjoying this… phase?"
Amity's voice caught in her throat when she tried to answer, feeling small as the sharpness of the man's disappointed tone cut through her confidence. "It's uh, fine. I've been volunteering here for the last year…"
He let out a huff to cut her off. "Well, I'm glad. I still foresee great things for you once you're done with all of this, but you must be careful who you allow to influence your path. The former head of the Emperor's Coven has nothing left to teach you, other to serve as an example of what happens to those that practice wild magic."
Amity tilted her head in confusion and annoyance, shaking herself out of her discomfort. "Did I do something wrong, Head-Witch?"
"No, no…" he assured her, an upper arm reaching out to turn her by the shoulder to walk back toward the checkout desk. "As you know, it is the Oracle Coven's responsibility to bring the Emperor's message of unity to all of the citizens of the Boiling Isles, but also to keep those loyal from straying. Do you understand?"
Did he know about the wild magic she had to use to get her friends back in their bodies? About going into Willow's mind? She could feel his grip on her shoulder and frowned, but dared not to pull away.
"I foresaw your performance at the Blight sale. Your family is lucky that the Emperor is wise enough to see your father's talents, rather than imprison them for spreading powerful weapons to rebellious insurrectionists."
"Uh, thank you, I guess? I don't really have anything to do with their business decisions…"
"Of course you don't. Of course." he said, shaking Amity's shoulder lightly before pulling his hand back. "Someday though, I see you working closely with your father, creating many great contraptions for the good of the Isles."
"Uh, sure." Amity replied, eyeing the clock. She knew Prentiss likely wouldn't blame her for spending time talking with a head witch, but she was growing more uncomfortable with him by the moment. "I really need to get back to work, sir. If I want to stay on my path, I mean." she said, portraying as much of a smile as she could.
"Yes, yes. Of course, my child." he replied, looking satisfied with himself as though he had just won some kind of victory. "I look forward to seeing you and your family on the Day of Unity."
Amity walked away, holding the hem of her shirt tightly as she disappeared into the stacks and took a breath that she realized she was holding. She spied back at the Head Witch through the cracks between books, noticing a horned spirit had manifested around him that he whispered to before turning and leaving the library. The spirit lingered, surveying the lobby of the library before passing through the door behind its master.
She had seen Head Witch Osran before when she was very young, and he had visited the manor to grant advice and training to her mother, but she had never interacted with him. Why he decided to speak to her now, she couldn't guess.
Going through the rest of her day at the library, distracted and nervous, Amity couldn't help but remain distracted. Were her parents really in trouble with the Emperor's Coven? Now that her dad's Abomitons caught the attention of Emperor Belos himself, should she be more careful with whom she makes friends with?
"No." she said to herself, walking up the path to the manor. "I'm not letting anyone dictate who I'm friends with. Not again." she added, opening the front door of her home to find the abomibutler standing tall in the foyer. She ignored it as usual, tossing her cloak into its outstretched hands and climbing the stairs to her room. "Ed? Em?" she called. "I'm home!"
She received no answer, not to her surprise, and dropped her lunch bag and homework on her desk before flopping onto her bed and rolling over onto her back. Wanting to do well at her new job while keeping her grades up at school was overwhelming enough, but trying to work on her friendship with Luz, dealing with her mother, and now Head Witch Osran, maybe threatening her with treason charges against the Empire? Amity pulled her pillow over her face and screamed into it until she heard her bedroom door close.
Amity stopped screaming in confusion and sat up, setting the pillow to the side to find the abomibutler standing before the door. "What are you doing in here? I didn't call…"
"I need your help." it growled in a deep, slow voice.