by Lorna TedderBook 4 of The Payback Archives · Secret Lives of Librarians Universe
Think The Magicians meets Veronica Mars meets Panic Room in a magical siege thriller where emotional betrayals are deadlier than spellcraft.
About the Book
When your ex-boyfriend holds the keys to the most dangerous library in the world, workplace drama takes on a whole new meaning.
Lilah Burns thought her biggest problem was avoiding her backstabbing ex-Charlie during her shifts at the Special Collections Library. That was before investigators showed up with warrants, containment teams, and far too much knowledge about the library’s classified magical systems.
Now she’s trapped in lockdown with a compromised vault, a collection of cursed books that could change reality, and a rising sense that someone she trusts has been lying for a very long time. Lilah is about to discover the library isn’t the only thing with hidden defenses.
Before You Read
This story touches on magical coercion, emotional manipulation, betrayal by trusted figures, institutional gaslighting, magical identity distortion, and descriptions of fear and confinement.
Read It Free — All Chapters
The complete novel, free to read right here.
- Static“The books spread across the conference table could redraw the boundaries of cause and effect…”
- Cracks“Gate 6 sealed behind us with its usual hydraulic crawl.”
- Pulse of Control“Look, this doesn’t have to turn into some kind of siege. I can open the door.”
- Sealed Circuits“Fine. Who else has access to this room?”
- Illusion of Power“The red emergency lighting cast everything in shades of desperation.”
- The Empath’s Current“The fluorescent lights blazed overhead with brutal efficiency.”
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