Page 66 (1/2)

Library of Souls Ransos 14390K 2023-09-01

"If that’s true, then why can’t all of us control hollows?" Eot"

"Because only his basic talent was capable of developing that way In the times before hollows, the talents of peculiars with souls akin to his probably manifested some other way It’s said that the Library of Souls was staffed by people who could read peculiar souls like they were books If those librarians were alive today, perhaps they’d be like hi about seeing hollows that’s like reading souls?"

Reynaldo conferred with Mother Dust "You seeood in Benthaive hiive him for?"

Mother Dust knew she’d said too much, but it was too late to hold back She whispered to Reynaldo

"For what he did to your grandfather," he said

I turned to Emma, but she seerandfather?"

"I’ll tell them," said a voice from the doorway, and then Bentham hobbled in by himself "It’s my shame, and I should be the one to confess it"

He shuffled past the sink, pulled a chair away frorandfather was highly valued for his special facility with hollows We had a secret project, soht we could replicate his ability and give it to other peculiars Inoculate theainst hollows, like a vaccine If we could all see and sense theainst their kind would be won Your grandfather reed to participate"

Emma’s face was tense as she listened I could see she’d never heard any of this before

"We took just a little bit," Benthaht it could be spared, or would be replenished, like when soives blood"

"You took his soul," Eer and thumb a centimeter apart "This much We split it up and adh it had the desired effect, it didn’t last long, and repeated exposure began to rob them of their native abilities It was a failure"

"And what about Abe?" Emma said In her tone was the special malice she reserved for those who hurt people she loved "What did you do to him?"