Page 308 - Fourth Wing

It shocked me to my toes that first day that he knew how to sign, but

honestly, I’d been a little judgy just because I didn’t want a shadow.
“Just these today?” Jesinia asks, inspecting the cart.

“And these.” I reach for the list of requests amid their obvious glances

and hand it to her.
“Perfect.” Her cheeks flush and she studies the list before putting it in her

pocket. “Oh, and Professor Markham left before his daily report arrived to

teach your briefing. Would you mind taking it over?”
“Happy to.” I wait until she’s pushing the cart away from us, then smack

Liam’s chest. “Stop it,” I whisper out loud.

“Stop what?” He watches her until she turns the corner at the first set of
shelves.

“Flirting with Jesinia. She’s a long-term-relationship woman, so unless
that’s what you’re looking for…just…don’t.”

His eyebrows hit his hairline. “How does anyone think long-term around

here?”
“Not everyone is in a quadrant where death is less of a chance and more

of a foregone conclusion.” I breathe in the scent of the Archives and try to
absorb a little of the peace it brings.

“So you’re saying that some people still try to make cute little things like

plans.”
“Exactly, and those some people is Jesinia. Trust me, I’ve known her for

years.”

“Right. Because you wanted to be a scribe when you grew up.” He scans
the Archives with an intensity that almost makes me laugh. As if there’s any

chance someone is going to lunge out of the shelves and come after me.

“How did you know that?” I lower my voice as a group of second-years
passes, their expressions somber as they debate the merits of two different

historians.
“I did my research on you after I was…you know…assigned.” He shakes