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Buddy looked over the book that he had just returned from. It was strange as this book's author somehow was unknown. It wasn't in the system but for some reason Chase and Freckles were able to enter the book.
At least I know a little more about how to manipulate dark magic. How on earth did those two idiots have access to a book with such things. It shouldn't be possible that a character in the book they chose possessed magic that's identical to Ex Libris’s old sorcery. Unless they somehow managed to find a book that a previous Ex Libris member wrote. No that's not possible. I would have read it or at least heard of it.
I hope Chase is okay. I'm sure the little idiot will forget about everything by the time I see him again. If only I could explain everything to him then maybe he would understand but I can't carelessly throw my trust around.That's how I got into this mess in the first place. I'm such a fool.
“Sweetie, is everything alright?” Violet asked, her opal eyes widened with concern. “You've been off ever since you got back.”
Buddy paused for a moment wondering if he should tell Violet or not. It’s not like telling her would change anything, but he didn’t want to give her any false hope. That would crush her. Violet wouldn’t ever show it but Buddy knew that she was very worried about her family.
The heroine key and a few others were missing from Ex Libris. He knew he was to blame although it was much easier to blame the new keyholders for the disappearances.
“I just have a lot on my mind right now.” Buddy answered.
“Any luck with that Chase of yours?” Violet teased, narrowing her pale shiny eyes.
Flustered Buddy turned away his head “I have no idea what you're talking about.” he managed to sputter out. “Please do, tell.” she said, tapping her hand against his ankle from where she stood on the ground.
How am I supposed to tell her without mentioning the specific spell I used? I don't want her to infer that the apotropaic magic within the book is similar to Ex Libris’s dark sorcery spells. What do the keys even know about Ex Libris’s sorcery? They were made using the same sorcery but how much did they really know? The majority of the time the keys were put asleep.
“It went how the stories typically do… “ Buddy began.
Violet intriguingly nodded her head slowly while she took in Buddys words. She seemed to understand why Buddy had used the spell on Chase so perhaps Chase would as well. Although Buddy did not deem that little idiots' intuition anywhere near Violets so perhaps he wouldnt understand. Not that it mattered, it's not like he would tell him anyways.
“So what are you to do now?”
Buddy hesitated. He knew that if his plan failed he would be severely punished. “I'm not quite sure how to go about it from here.” Buddy admitted. “I have thought about it, but every plan I come up with has its flaws.”
“Why don't you run over your plans with me?”
Buddy stayed silent. It wasn't like Violet was able to tell anyone else about his plans of escaping although the thought of expressing his ideas out loud was frightening all the same. Whenever Buddy used to address his issues and go over potential outcomes with people he trusted it always backfired on him causing even more problems. And he wasn't going to spend another week in solitary confinement, isolation was the last thing he needed. Instead of explaining any of that to Violet he just shook his head.
“No? That's alright sweetie. Have you put more thought into what that Chase boy has offered?”
Even though Buddy hated acknowledging the idea of Chase helping him it was the one thing that constantly clouded his mind. He imagined the young man, his honey brown eyes gleaming while he heroically offered his hand outwardly.
What a stupid image. Why must my brain hate me? As much as I appreciate him offering to help there is no way that he would be able to stand a chance against Ex Libris as a whole. His wrestling skills would look like child's play against Ex Libris with magic or not.
“I have thought about it, although it's too dangerous. One man doesn't stand a chance against one board member of Ex Libris. And for all we know he could be on the other side of the world.”
“Well he could be across the globe, although I doubt that considering he has Silver, Goldie, and Bronze. If your Chase has found my siblings then how far can he really be?”
Right. Chase also had the Hero key as well.
“As much as I want him to help, I know how he is. There’s no way he's going to be able to do anything. He’s so stubborn he’d probably be a few seconds from his deathbed still trying to outdo himself in a match between himself and a board member. Even if Freckles came with him the two of them would be powerless.”
Freckles was never much of a help anyways. So undeserving of the helper key. Always moping about for who knows what. Why did Chase even keep that guy around? He would be better off with just that little kid who was the holder for the hero key, not that Buddy thought small children should go into books or anything like that. It was dangerous.
Violet sighed grimly. “If only there were more on your side.” she whispered gloomily.
None of the other key holders within Ex Libris earned Buddy's trust. Not that many people have to begin with. Most key holders seemed honored to be doing the organizations (if you could even call it that) dirty work. Buddy wasn’t a fan of small talk but whenever he engaged in it with the other keyholders they would always bring up what a “glorious” and “mind-opening” experience it was working for Ex Libris. Whenever in these types of situations Buddy couldn’t help but wonder what these people have encountered because their experiences sounded much more buoyant than anything Buddy had gone through.
Buddy wasn't able to get much sleep. His conversation with Violet was on loop. He regretted not telling her his plans. Not that any of the plans were well enough to partake in although he knew that if he addressed them with Violet she would have helped him develop them further.
Shifting within his bed, Buddy pulled his dark heavy blanket closer and over his shoulders. I could possibly go over my plans with Violet. She can't hurt me, She wouldn't hurt me.
Buddy slowly drifted off into sleep.
Buddy awoke to a cold wisp of air brushing against his side. His blanket had fallen to the ground… again. Buddy shuddered while reaching down to pick it up.
Well since i'm already up i should just get to work. It's not like I'll be able to go back to sleep anyways.
It was a Saturday. Or at least Buddy thought it was. It had been awhile since he last saw a calendar and it was hard to keep track of time within Ex Libris. It was always work, work, work until you get tired. (Or until you got transported into a story with some beautiful fool.)
Buddy yawned, stretching his arms above his head before rolling his legs over his bed placing them on the cold floor.
“Good morning.” He mumbled to Violet who was perched on top of a spool of phlox colored thread. Buddy had found the spool tucked behind some books in the library reserved for just members of Ex Libris and thought the key would admire the pretty color.
“Hello Dear.” Violet said calmly. “Don’t forget to eat something”
Buddy glanced at the teal bag that was peering awkwardly from under his bed. He was surprised but thankful no one had found it. It was not uncommon for higher members to look through rooms.
“No it’s alright. I should be able to eat in the dining hall today.”
“If you insist.” Violet stepped forward shifting into her key form. Buddy gently picked her up, sticking her into his pocket. While doing tasks for Ex Libris Buddy kept her close. If Chase was to go into a story Buddy would be ready.