The Mortal Heart Read Online Free Page B

“Come on.”

V. The
Lunae Libri
    Lila Jane stood in the stone Doorwell.
    Behind her, worn, uneven rock steps led down into the Tunnels beneath Perkins. In front of her was an ancient door, weathered and grooved by time and the elements.
    She shook her head. “How is this here? And how is it possible that I never knew this existed?”
    “The great work must inevitably be obscure.”
Marian shrugged.
    “
Except to the very few
,” Lila Jane finished. “Don’t you use Henry Miller on me, Mare. I’m the person who pointed you to
Tropic of Cancer
.” It was true, and Marian smiled, pushing open the door.
    “What the hell?”
    The stone stairway twisted into another, and then another, and then a fourth, until Lila Jane could no longer track the difference between where they’d come from and where they were going.
    “What is this place?” Lila Jane stopped on the step behind Marian.
    “I told you,” Marian said. “My library.”
    “This is not just a library,” Lila Jane said.
    “No. It’s just not your idea of a library,” Marian said. “It’s not much farther now. Come on.”
    Marian quickened her pace, and Lila Jane hurried to keep up. As she moved, she tried counting the flickering torches mounted on the mossy, damp walls, but it became impossible after the first few minutes, and she felt like the Tunnel would never end.
    Then suddenly it did.
    Marian pushed with two hands on a heavy stone door, murmuring a few words of Latin that Lila Jane couldn’t make out. The rock disappeared beneath her touch. “What just—?”
    “Save that thought, Janie,” Marian said, taking her friend by both shoulders. “Because things are about to get even crazier.” She pushed Lila Jane through the door. The moment Lila Jane stepped into the room, she knew Marian was right. They entered what appeared to be the central hub of the space, a large vaulted chamber that seemed utterly without end. Lila Jane stopped, stunned. “It’s incredible.” She reached out and touched the closest row of books, but Marian grabbed her arm.
    “And powerful. Only a Caster can touch these books.”
    “A what?” Lila Jane stared at her friend. “As in—”
    “As in spell caster,” Marian said slowly.
    Lila Jane stared wide-eyed at the surrounding stacks, speechless.
    Marian tried again. “As in a race of gifted Supernaturals who can and always have been able to bend Mortal existence to their will—in different ways, depending on their different powers.”
    Lila Jane put her hand down on the counter behind her for support—but accidentally touched the edge of a stray piece of parchment, sending sparks flying. “Ouch.”
    “Careful—” Marian grabbed her friend by the arm.
    “Macon’s spell book,” Lila Jane finally said. “It really is a spell book.” She shook her burning fingers. “I didn’t believe it.”
    “A book of Casts? Possibly. Yes.” Marian hesitated. “I know there’s a lot to explain, so just trust me on this. If you touch anything in this library, you’ll burn your hands off.”
    “Mare. You forget who you’re talking to.” Lila Jane pulled her beloved white archival gloves from her bag and waved them at her friend. “Not a problem.”
    Marian smiled. “Of course.”
    Lila Jane pulled out the nearest book, holding it carefully in her gloved fingers. “
Castere Compoundes of Alchemies Elementaus
? Is this for real?”
    “It depends,” Marian said, looking over Lila’s shoulder.
    “On what?”
    “On whether or not you really want to know the answer to that question.” Marian looked at Lila Jane. “Or the answer to exactly what sort of Supernatural your beloved Macon Ravenwood is.”
    “So there are different sorts, now?” Lila Jane looked overwhelmed.
    Marian kept going. “Or the answer to where I go when I’m not at home at night.”
    Lila Jane nodded, keeping her expression remarkably composed. “What if I do?”
    Marian looked at her. “Are you sure? Because there’s no going