This is such an absolutely baffling reply that Palamedes straightens and lowers his hands, all anxiety evaporating from his features.

“Well. No. They’re my friends, I don’t need to threaten them.” He rubs his temple and doesn’t say you’re the one who’s making it weird, because Palamedes Sextus is the Master Warden of the Library, the greatest necromancer of his generation, and a grownup. But he sure as hell thinks it.

“All right. I think we may have misunderstood each other. Again.” He presses his palms together. “Tell me this: have you ever heard of the Nine Houses?”