The old man let out the ghost of a snicker and then quickly dissipated from sight, his image fading like a mirage in close proximity to an observer.
Maels's face contorted the moment that the energy projection disappeared, annoyed that Vestach had attempted to spy on him right before their conversation. Thankfully he hadn't activated the mechanism at the back of the bookcase that hugged the room's left wall, else he would have surely lost his greatest asset.
After remaining still for a moment, he decided to activate an advanced detection spell to make sure that he was truly unseen by prying eyes. After confirming that he was the only one even remotely near his rooms, he strode across the study to face the centuries-old bookcase, which stretched from floor to ceiling and wall to wall.
