The Archive of Ash and Ink

Lily’s magnifying glass slipped from her hand, coming to rest on the blue velvet and trapping a single character in the corner of the Andalusian manuscript. The ink didn't sink into the fibers as it should; it sat on the surface with a hollow pride, like oil on water. She glanced at the clock in the Royal Library’s grand hall. Only two hours remained before the influx of ambassadors and donors for the opening of the 'Exhibition of Centuries.' This volume wasn't just paper; it was the crown jewel, the reason for years of frantic fundraising. And now, in this sterile silence, the parchment screa...