Tempest Awakening (The Dragonne Library #1)

Chapter 14

Tess

The ping of an incoming call echoed through my new office, my phone vibrating on the antique desk. I looked up from the interview questions I'd been refining for the oral history project. Maddie's name flashed on the screen, and my stomach clenched.

This was the first time she'd reached out since I'd left Sacramento two weeks ago.

Taking a deep breath, I answered. "Hey, Mads."

"Tess? Where the hell are you?" Maddie's voice was full of exasperation.

How much should I tell her? A part of me wanted to share my excitement about this incredible opportunity, but I hesitated. Knowing my family, they'd probably try to use my new job to boost their own status. I could already imagine Mom bragging to her friends about her daughter's "prestigious librarian position," conveniently forgetting she'd kicked me out.

And Maddie... she'd likely want to visit, to see if she could leverage my new connections for her own benefit. No, it was better to keep things vague.

"I'm okay, Maddie. I found a job and a place to live."

"Already? Where?"

"It's in a small town in Northern California. I'm working as a librarian."

It wasn't a lie, just... an abbreviated truth.

"A librarian, again?" Maddie scoffed. "Well, I guess all those years with your nose in a book keep paying off."

I bit back a retort. If only she knew where those books had led me. But I couldn't tell her. This job, this opportunity—it was mine. For once in my life, I had something that was truly, solely mine, and I was determined to protect it.

"It's a good fit for me," I said instead. "The town is beautiful, and the library has some fascinating collections."

"Uh-huh," Maddie replied, clearly losing interest. "Well, thanks to your little adventure, Mom's been calling me non-stop. It's like she thinks I'm her personal secretary or something."

And there it was. The real reason for her call.

As Maddie launched into a litany of complaints about the tense atmosphere in Sacramento, I found my mind wandering. My gaze drifted around the office, settling on a small, intricately carved wooden box perched on a nearby shelf.

That box again. The one that held the fire opal pendant.

In the last two weeks, it seemed to pop up everywhere, always catching my eye at the oddest moments. The box hummed with a faint energy, almost as if it were calling to me. But there was something else, too—a subtle pressure in the air, a gentle but insistent nudge that I was beginning to recognize as the Library itself.

I couldn't shake the feeling that the Library was deliberately putting the box in my path, using its influence to guide my attention. The box's presence felt less like coincidence and more like a carefully orchestrated encounter. As the sensation grew stronger, I found myself fighting the urge to stand up, walk over, and open the box.

"Are you even listening?" Maddie's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Sorry, what?"

She sighed dramatically. "Never mind. I've got to go anyway. Just... don't disappear again, okay?"

The line went dead before I could respond. I stared at my phone, guilt and frustration washing over me. The mysterious pendant and the Library's insistence had momentarily made me forget about the complications in my personal life.

As I set the phone down, my gaze drifted back to the box. The pendant inside represented more than just magic—it symbolized the new world I was discovering, a world where I felt valued and understood.

It struck me how different my experiences here at the Library were compared to my life back home. Here, I'd found people who appreciated my curiosity, who encouraged my pursuits. Sure, not everyone welcomed me with open arms—I thought briefly of Aurelia’s continued coldness—but enough did to make me feel truly accepted. The fact that they were Supes was almost secondary to the sense of belonging I felt.

The relationships with my mother and sister had never been perfect, but they'd been consistent. Only, right now, the rift between us felt wider than ever. The more I embraced this new life where I felt truly seen, the further I seemed to drift from my family.

And for the first time, I wasn't sure I wanted to mend it.

I was still staring at my phone when a soft knock on my office door startled me. Before I could respond, the door swung open, revealing Pippa's petite frame and vibrant smile.

"Tess! There you are!" Pippa bounced into the room, her wings shimmering in the soft light. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

I quickly pocketed my phone, forcing a smile. "Hey, Pippa. Welcome back. How was your project?"

Pippa's excitement dimmed as she studied my face. "It was fascinating, but... are you okay? You look like you've just had a run-in with a grumpy griffin."

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. Pippa had quickly become a friend, but I was still adjusting to having people actually care about my well-being. "I'm fine, just... family stuff."

Pippa's eyes widened with understanding. "Say no more. You know what? We need to get out of here. How about lunch? I know this great little diner in Drakehaven. It's perfect for catching up, and they make these blueberry pancakes that are to die for."

"I don't know, Pippa. I have a lot of work to do on this oral history project and—"

"Nope!" Pippa cut me off, her tone playful but firm. "No excuses. You need a break, and I need to tell you all about the crazy mishap I had with a sentient spellbook last week. Come on, it'll be fun!"

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. It was so different from the calculated interactions I was used to with my family. "Alright, alright. Let me just grab my bag."

As we made our way through the library's winding corridors, Pippa chattered about her recent adventure. Her energy was infectious, and I found my mood lifting despite myself.

"So there I was, covered in sparkly ink that kept changing colors, and the book was flying around the room, cackling like a mad witch!" Pippa's animated gestures nearly knocked over a passing goblin, who grumbled good-naturedly.

We stepped out of the library's grand entrance, and I took a deep breath. The sprawling grounds of The Dragonne Library stretched before us, a lush carpet of grass dotted with ancient oaks.

As we approached the ornate iron gates that marked the library's boundary, I saw the familiar figure of Leo standing guard.

"Afternoon, Leo!" Pippa called out cheerfully.

Leo nodded at us, a smile softening his rugged features. "Off to Drakehaven, ladies?"

"You know it!" Pippa replied. "Gotta show Tess the best pancakes in town."

His amber eyes twinkled as he looked at me. "Enjoy your lunch, Miss Tess. It's good to see you settling in."

I waved goodbye as we passed through the gates. "Thanks, Leo. See you later!"

We made our way to the staff parking lot, and I spotted Pippa's cherry-red Fiat immediately. It brought back memories of my first day here, following behind her as she led me to my new life at the library.

"Cherry's waiting for us," Pippa said with a grin, gesturing to her car. "Still think she's adorable?"

I chuckled. "Absolutely. It suits you perfectly." As we pulled out of the parking lot, the library grounds shrank in the rearview mirror.

"So," Pippa said, glancing at me as she navigated a turn, "want to tell me what's really bothering you? I promise I'm a good listener, even if I do talk a lot."

I hesitated, then decided to take a chance. "It's my sister. She called, and I just... I don't know how to bridge the gap between my old life and this new one."

Pippa nodded sympathetically. She was quiet for a moment, her usual chatter giving way to thoughtful silence. When she spoke again, her voice was soft but firm.

"That's tough. But you know what? Sometimes the family we choose is just as important as the one we're born into. And you're building a whole new family here at the library."

Her words hung in the air, weighted with truth. I felt a lump form in my throat as the full impact of what she was saying hit me. Pippa reached over and gave my hand a quick squeeze, her eyes still on the road.

"Family isn't just about blood, Tess," she continued. "It's about who's there for you, who understands you. And from what I've seen, you’re finding that here with us."

I swallowed hard, blinking back unexpected tears. Pippa's words had struck a chord, illuminating feelings I hadn't fully acknowledged until now. She was right. In the short time I'd been at the Library, I'd found a sense of belonging I'd never experienced before.

"Thank you, Pippa," I managed to say, my voice slightly hoarse. "I... I think you're right."

She flashed me a warm smile. "Of course I am. Now, let's go get some pancakes. Nothing says 'family' like sharing syrup, right?"

Her words settled over me like a warm blanket. As we drove into Drakehaven, I found myself relaxing, the tension from Maddie's call slowly ebbing away.

The Starlight Diner looked like it had been plucked straight out of a 1950s postcard, complete with a flickering neon sign. But as we stepped inside, I realized it was anything but ordinary.

Booths upholstered in fabric that shimmered like moonlight lined the walls. The air smelled of coffee and something sweet I couldn't quite place. An honest-to-god elf—all pointed ears and graceful movements—greeted us with a smile.

"Welcome to Starlight," she said, leading us to a booth. "Menus will appear shortly."

I must have looked confused because Pippa chuckled. "Just wait," she said.

Sure enough, shimmering words began to form on the tabletop, listing items like "Moonbeam Milkshakes" and "Aurora Borealis Burgers."

"Wow," I breathed.

"The blueberry pancakes are to die for," Pippa suggested.

When our waitress returned, I ordered the pancakes. Duh.

"Excellent choice. And for you, Miss Pippa?"

"The usual, Starshine," Pippa replied with a wink.

As the waitress left, Pippa leaned forward, her eyes twinkling. "So, tell me, how have your first couple weeks been? Settling in okay?"

I nodded. "It's been incredible. I've started working on the Oral History project, actually. I've reached out to a few people for interviews already."

A smile spread across my face as I thought about my new home. "And the view from my dormitory window is breathtaking. I love watching the dragons soar past every night. Whiskey seems to enjoy it too—he always curls up on my lap while we watch them together."

Pippa's eyes twinkled. "That's awesome, Tess. Sounds like you're really settling in. So, how's that furball of yours doing? Is Whiskey digging his new digs?"

"He's loving it," I said, feeling a warmth in my chest as I thought about Whiskey. "I think he's as fascinated by this world as I am. And you won't believe this, but he's made friends with the brownies who take care of our rooms."

Pippa's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "No way! Those little guys are usually super shy. What's your cat got, some kind of brownie-charming superpower?"

I nodded, grinning. "I know, right? But Whiskey seems to have won them over somehow. I've caught him sitting still as a statue while they groom his fur, and sometimes I find little treats left out for him. It's pretty cute."

"That's wild," Pippa said, looking impressed. "Your cat might have some magical mojo of his own, you know?"

"Maybe," I laughed. "Though he's still not too keen on the dragons when they get too close to our window. Can't win them all, I suppose."

Pippa snorted. "Well, duh. Dragons are basically flying lizards on steroids. I'd be worried if he wasn't at least a little freaked out. But hey, brownie besties? That's way cooler anyway."

I opened my mouth to reply, but at that moment, our food arrived—a stack of pancakes that seemed to glow with an inner light for me, and a plate of what looked like rainbow-hued eggs for Pippa.

"Go on, try them," Pippa urged, gesturing to my pancakes with her fork.

I took a bite and nearly moaned. They tasted like summer mornings and childhood dreams, with a hint of something I couldn't quite identify.

"Oh my god," I mumbled around my mouthful, "these are incredible."

Pippa laughed, a tinkling sound. "Told you! Now, I’m sure this Oral History project is the cat’s meow and all that, but I want to know more about these rumors I’ve been hearing…”

I paused mid-chew, my fork hovering in the air. "Rumors? What rumors?"

Pippa's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, you know, just a little birdie telling me that a certain new librarian has been spending quite a bit of time with some rather interesting characters."

I swallowed hard, feeling heat creep up my neck. "I'm not sure I follow," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Well," Pippa leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "word around the library is that you've been working closely with a rather handsome fae gentleman on a special project."

My cheeks burned. "You mean Kane? We're just working on the Oral History project together. It's purely professional." Even as I said it, I knew my flushed face was betraying me.

"Mhm," Pippa hummed, clearly not buying it. "And then there's our enormous and famously reticent gargoyle. I hear you two have been spending quite a bit of time together as well."

"Mason?" I squeaked, my voice an octave higher than usual. I hadn't realized anyone had noticed our interactions. "We're just... friends."

Pippa's grin widened. "Oh honey, your face is redder than a dragon's scales. You're not fooling anyone."

I buried my face in my hands. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone with eyes," Pippa teased. "So, which one has stolen your heart? The dashing fae or the brooding gargoyle?"

How was I supposed to answer that? The past couple weeks flashed through my mind.

Kane. Every time we worked together on the Oral History project, I felt... alive. His blue-violet eyes sparked with intelligence, challenging me to think deeper, to question everything. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. He made me feel like my ideas mattered, like I wasn't just the token human in a magical world.

But then there was Mason. My old friend, now this protective presence in my new life. We’d had lunch a few times together in the dining hall.

Being around him felt safe, comfortable, but also... different from before. I couldn't help noticing how his muscles moved under his dark skin when he reached for a book on a high shelf. Or the way his eyes softened when he looked at me, like he was seeing more than just his childhood friend.

How could I choose? The intellectual spark with Kane made my mind race, while Mason's steady presence grounded me when everything else felt chaotic.

I remembered how my heart skipped when Kane's hand brushed mine. And the warmth that spread through me when Mason stood nearby, silently shielding me from those who thought humans didn't belong here.

"I... it's not... they're both just..." I stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Pippa's eyebrows shot up. "Both? Oh my, you are in trouble, aren't you? And here I thought you were just being friendly with Mason. There's clearly more to that story."

I groaned, slumping in my seat. "Mason and I... we actually knew each other as kids. We hadn't seen each other in 20 years until I started working here."

"Well, well," Pippa said, her voice filled with glee. "The plot thickens! Childhood friends reunited? That's practically the start of a romance novel right there."

I shook my head vigorously. "No, no, you've got it all wrong. They're not interested in me like that. I'm just... me. Nothing special."

Pippa's eyebrows furrowed. "Now, that's not the impression I've gotten at all."

"That can't be right," I insisted, my voice small. "I mean, why would they be? I'm just a regular librarian. Nothing exciting or remarkable about me."

"Oh, honey," Pippa said, her voice softening. "Is that really how you see yourself? Because let me tell you, that's not what anyone else sees."

I shrugged, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "I guess I'm not used to thinking of myself that way. My family always made it clear that I was the unremarkable one. 'Bookish Tess,' they'd say, 'always with her head in the clouds.'"

Pippa reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Well, forget all that. You're in the Supe world now, and clearly, you've caught the eye of not one, but two very eligible bachelors. Your family's opinion doesn't define you."

Despite my discomfort, I couldn't help but chuckle. "You make it sound like I'm building my own harem or something."

Pippa's eyes lit up. "Ooh, now there's an idea. Tess and her magical menagerie of lovers."

"Pippa!" I exclaimed, feeling the blush creep back into my cheeks. "Don't even joke about that."

She laughed, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. "Why not? You've got a handsome fae, a brooding gargoyle... all you need now is a dragon shifter and you've got yourself the start of a best-selling paranormal romance series."

My eyes widened. "Wait, dragon shifters actually exist?"

Pippa chuckled, shaking her head. "No, they don’t. But wouldn't it be great if they did? Imagine the possibilities!"

I groaned, burying my face in my hands again. "You're impossible."

"I prefer to think of myself as imaginative," Pippa said with a wink. "But in all seriousness, Tess, don't let your family's words hold you back. You're smart, kind, and clearly more interesting than they gave you credit for. Is it really so hard to believe that you might have caught someone's eye?"

I peeked at her through my fingers. "I... I don't know. Maybe?"

"Well, that's a start," Pippa said, satisfied.

Her expression suddenly turned more serious. "Now, speaking of rumors, there's something else I've been hearing that I'm a bit concerned about."

I lowered my hands, curious about her change in tone. "Oh? What's that?"

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I've heard some whispers about certain library staff and even some of the applicants giving you a hard time. Bullying you because you’re human?"