The Thirteenth Chime

"CHOOSE YOUR INK."

The Keeper lowered its terrible, tender clock-face toward Elena, and the great clock's hands crept toward midnight. Through the library's great doors, Mayor Hendricks was still shouting. Beside Elena, Zara swayed on her feet, Theo holding her up — Zara, who had taken the Keeper's hand, who was holding the name of the thirteenth hour alone while it fed on her minutes, one by one.