I quickly filled Dad in regarding my doubts about Carlitta and Carlotta touching, or even looking at, the Ring of Everlasting Night.

"You have it with you?" Dad asked.

I nodded. Fifteen minutes ago, when I'd walked into the public library and toward the shadow library, I'd spied Louise Leghorn, the library VP, talking to Ryan, a much, much younger library worker behind the front desk. I didn't take much stock in rumors, but the gossip mill said they were close. And they ...