Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez

The story picks up immediately where the first book ends. Inez is reeling from her cousin Elvira’s murder, her mother’s betrayal, and her Tío Ricardo’s ultimatum about her inheritance. Overwhelmed by the chaos, one solution becomes clear: marry Whit Hayes.

Before their secret midnight wedding, Whit receives an unexpected visit from his brother in London. The family’s financial situation is dire, and his younger sister is being forced into an arranged marriage with an older man to secure funds. Whit vows to help, further complicating his decision to marry Inez.

The couple marries in secrecy, consummating their union despite lingering questions Inez has about Whit’s intentions. When her uncle discovers the marriage, he is furious but powerless—her inheritance legally returns to her. During a tense conversation, Ricardo receives a message from Abdullah urging him to travel to Philae. There, they learn that Cleopatra’s tomb has been ransacked, its treasures stolen by none other than Mr. Fincastle. Whit reveals his interest in the tomb stems from his search for a legendary alchemical sheet that may have been among the stolen artifacts.

As Inez begins moving into Whit’s modest one-room apartment, she receives an unexpected visitor: Isadora, Mr. Fincastle’s daughter. Isadora shocks Inez with the revelation that they are half-sisters, as Fincastle had an affair with Inez’s mother. Inez invites Isadora to stay with them, a decision that causes tension with Whit, who distrusts Isadora’s motives.

Soon after, Inez visits the bank, only to discover that Whit has emptied their account to send money to his struggling family. Feeling betrayed and used, she confronts him. Whit admits the truth, but his failure to consult her shatters her trust. Furious, Inez vows to lock her heart away, even as practical realities force her to remain in the marriage. She establishes strict rules: Whit must be honest, never leave her behind, avoid any physical affection, and agree to quietly divorce her when their work is done.

Meanwhile, Tía Lorena and Cousin Amaranta arrive in Egypt seeking revenge for Elvira’s death, aligning with Inez’s own plan to bring her mother to justice. The stakes rise when Ricardo and Abdullah are arrested for failing to report Cleopatra’s discovery, with their only hope for release lying in capturing Inez’s mother, Lourdes.

The group learns of a secret auction featuring stolen artifacts from Cleopatra’s tomb. Inez, Whit, and Isadora infiltrate the event, where Inez encounters Basil Sterling, who returns the ring he stole from her in the previous book. Whit bristles at Sterling’s presence, suspecting ulterior motives. Clues from the auction lead the group to Alexandria, where Inez’s dreams of Cleopatra reveal the presence of a Chrysopoeia (a mystical text) hidden there.

In Alexandria, the group narrowly misses capturing Lourdes, who appears to have been warned. Whit’s suspicions of Isadora deepen. Breaking into another potential hiding place, they find stolen artifacts—and Basil Sterling, who holds them at gunpoint. Basil allows Inez to leave with a cryptic promise: the enchanted cards they exchange will allow them to summon each other if needed. Troubled by Basil’s motives and his uncanny ability to track her, Inez continues to dream about Cleopatra, uncovering that the alchemical sheet was used not for gold, but to waterproof objects.

Their search leads to an ancient lighthouse, where Isadora betrays them, shooting at Inez and Whit. Whit is wounded, and Isadora confronts Inez, taunting her about their mother’s favoritism. A struggle ensues, culminating in Isadora’s accidental death when the ground collapses beneath her. Inez saves Whit using an enchanted ink bottle from the first book, which heals him. Forgiveness rekindles their relationship, and they reconcile.

The group learns of an ancient cistern network beneath Alexandria, rumored to contain a hidden library. Before they can act, Inez is kidnapped by Basil Sterling, who needs her help. She agrees to assist him in exchange for returning stolen artifacts and ensuring her mother faces justice. In the tunnels, Basil reveals a shocking truth: he is Inez’s father, and his pursuit of Lourdes stems from her betrayal. He also admits to using a tracking spell on the ring he returned to Inez.

Whit arrives just as tensions between Lourdes and Fincastle’s factions erupt into violence. Amid the chaos, Inez seizes the alchemical sheet for Whit. A fire started by Lourdes consumes the library, forcing Inez and Whit to escape through an underground river. While Lourdes survives and is imprisoned, Basil perishes.

With Lourdes captured, Ricardo and Abdullah are released, and Lorena and Amaranta feel avenged. Inez and Whit finally have a proper wedding. On their honeymoon, Whit deciphers the alchemical sheet, unlocking the secret to creating gold.