A Charm for Draius: A Novel of the Broken Kaskea (The Broken Kaskea Series Book 1) by Laura E. Reeve

the walls of the library assistants were lighting the gas, as the building had been recently modernized.
    “Greetings, Officer Draius. I am Nokka, at your service.”
    “Greetings. We’ll need your assistance, ser, in examining archival manuscripts—” she did a quick calculation, looking down at the scribbled note on the bottom of the page in her hand, “Around year 930, by the New Calendar.”
    There was silence. She looked up. Lornis had an odd look on his face, while Nokka’s face twitched with anger and wariness.
    “It appears there was a robbery,” Lornis said.
    “When?”
    “Last summer, around Erin Six. The archives. It was a staggering loss—those items were donated by the Meran-Viisi eras ago.” Nokka’s mustache twitched with a life of its own.
    “This good ser thought we were following up on his report, which he made to the Office of Investigation.” Lornis raised his eyebrows and when she glanced down at the reference she held, he added, “There’s no inventory of the missing items, although they’re sure that none of Cessina’s materials were taken.”
    She chewed her lip thoughtfully, noting the puzzlement in Lornis’s eyes.
    “I’ve received no response from the City Guard since the robbery and it’s almost been a year.” Nokka’s outrage was obvious in his tone, as well as his mustache. Erin Six would be at the beginning of last summer, after Erik became OIC of Investigation and insisting on handling each case himself. Even though this happened under Erik’s watch, she didn’t think Nokka cared about the distinction and she agreed. But, something was wrong here…
    She held the key in her hand. This document held a recent cross-reference to Nherissa’s notes, which should not exist , not under the King’s Law. Added to this was the robbery of items the Library was loath to enumerate. Erik might have perceived these inconsistencies but probably ignored the robbery, thus avoiding a confrontation with the Royal Library and the powerful Pettaja-Viisi. Luckily, she had no compunctions about offending librarians, nor any worries about saving a professional reputation.
    She made a quick bow of apology. “I’m new to my job, and I apologize for failing to look over the current case load. The recent murders have taken all my attention, to the detriment of current investigations.”
    “Of course, the murder of Councilman Reggis,” Nokka said, mollified. “I must apologize also, Officer. I forgot.”
    “However, you must provide an inventory of everything stolen from the library last year.” Her tone was suddenly clipped and commanding, using her upper-city education and intonation.
    Nokka’s eyes widened. “Bu—but we don’t have such a list. I couldn’t provide it when I originally reported the robbery and—”
    “Ridiculous! I’ve had the finest Meran-Viisi tutelage, and I’m well aware of the record-keeping done by the Royal Library and Archives.” She didn’t mention she sat elbow-to-elbow at afternoon lessons with the future King Perinon, while watching her older cousin Valos, another future King, struggle with his calculations at another table.
    Nokka looked indecisive. Instead of the common watchman or City Guard he expected, he was faced with someone who must be Meran-Viisi, of the King’s lineage.
    Draius pressed on. “I can prove Nherissa’s notes still existed, far into the New Calendar. No one would have referenced the Old Calendar until well after the year 1000.” She held up the page with the note penned in the margin.
    “By the Horn, no one should be marring Cessina’s work!” Nokka reached for the paper, his face reddening, his lip and mouth working as if he were having a fit.
    “I’m confiscating these.” She yanked the papers out of his reach. “If they’re not about necromancy, they’ll be returned. You’re also going to give me a detailed list of all the proscribed items you’re holding, as well as those stolen from the Library. I suspect