by Lorna TedderBook 2 of The Payback Archives · Secret Lives of Librarians Universe
Think La Femme Nikita-style covert ops collide with the dark academia spell-slinging of The Magicians and the snark-sleuth vibes of Veronica Mars in a book retrieval mission that proves psychological sabotage cuts deeper than magic.
About the Book
For an occult librarian, identity theft is more than a crime. It’s a weapon.
A simple thank-you mission. That’s the lie Lilah Burns tells herself. The reward for saving the world (again) is a trip to Savannah with her dangerously competent partner, Raven. The objective: retrieve a rare book. The unofficial agenda, courtesy of her boss: a romantic getaway complete with a charming B&B and just one bed.
But the idyllic getaway shatters before it begins. The bookstore is locked. The book is gone. And the owner confesses he already gave it to “Lilah and Raven”—a pair of imposters who knew their names, their mission, and their secret password.
The mission isn’t just compromised; it’s been surgically targeted. Back in their room, the final blow lands: a single crow feather left on the pillow of their shared bed. It’s a calling card from Rune, Lilah’s vengeful rival, a message designed to reopen old wounds and prove that no part of Lilah’s life is safe from her influence.
As the imposters get greedy and their simple theft escalates into a dangerous holdup, Lilah and Raven are forced back into the fray. Lilah must now fight a war on two fronts: one against the thieves threatening to unleash a world-bending artifact, and another against the psychological poison spreading through her own defenses. Can she reclaim her stolen identity and the dangerous book before her past completely unravels her future?
Before You Read
This story touches on identity theft and impersonation, psychological manipulation, references to past betrayal and toxic relationships, and themes of self-doubt and emotional vulnerability. Characters process trust issues and emotional healing. No graphic violence or explicit content.
Read It Free — All Chapters
The complete novel, free to read right here.
- The Setup“I should have known better than to believe in rewards…”
- The Pickup“Rune. I stared at Jerome, the empathic static in my skull sharpening into something certain.”
- The Shakeup“I went still, the echo of recognition rippling through me.”
- The Holdup“We approached the bookshop from the side, keeping to the narrow shadows…”
- The Wrap-Up“We returned to the Special Collections Library under a cloud of defeat.”