Socrates guides me to a separate entrance, supplying me with a hand-drawn map and a word of caution.
"There's a reason I haven't fetched it myself." He looks almost guilty now, as he stands there with one hand on the thick metal and windowless door, as if changing his mind about the whole thing.
"I assumed as much." I look off down the alley. I say it kindly though. These are his terms. I'm willing to fulfill them.
"It won't be easy." Socrates shuffles his feet. "Just so you know. The building has residents."
I shudder briefly, remembering the Shambles. Can I do it if the place is full of them?
"Howls," he whispers. "Just be careful. I want that book."
His wink makes me laugh, the relief of knowing I'm not walking into a trap of the near-dead enough to turn my mood, despite the fact
