5
Sienna stepped into the library, a bag over her shoulder containing her grandfather’s journal. She stood in the doorway for a moment, gazing around at what was left. The fire had carved a swathe through the dry paper and ancient vellum once stacked on the English oak shelves that now stood bowed and blackened — but not completely ravaged. Perhaps nothing could really destroy the heart of the Ministry.
A rustle came from deeper within the room.
Sienna walked further in and rounded the shelves to the annex where once the Illuminated Cartographer could be found at study. At first glance, it was as if nothing had changed.
The area had been partially protected by the sheer density of maps and more had been brought from other departments to replace them. Rolled sheets of vellum painted wit
