Berkeley took another key from his ring and unlocked the room at the far end of the hall. The molding around the double doors was carved with runes, the doors themselves painted with a number of spells Hettie recognized as wards against the Eye.
As soon as she stepped through, she felt the space around her closing in. The gallery was filled with row upon row of shelves and cabinets, some open, some locked, every single one piled high with books, talismans, and more.
Two shelves were devoted entirely to the bones of various animals. At least she hoped they were all just animals. Another held jars of murky liquid containing preserved specimens—two-headed frogs and snakes, lizards with rainbow scales, small mammals that looked like crosses between rats and fish. Berkeley was as excited as a
