Chapter 43
Zosia
I can’t think about anything but reaching the intruder before he does something irreversible. Our real nemesis has breached the library’s defenses, and the thought of him inside my sanctuary creates a well of fiery anger within my chest. This is my turf – my home – and he doesn’t belong here.
As I spring into the air, my sphinx senses warn me of another beast. He isn’t one I need to fear however. I don’t have the time or wherewithal to appreciate Garrett’s griffin form, however.
The library tells me how the man got inside, although Sage still doesn’t speak to me with words. Instead, the knowledge arrives as an understanding. Books represent a core part of my identity and purpose, and this asshole has used one against me for the last time. The spell within the false book could have killed any of my guardians, but it’s also provided him a path into the library.
Although Addington is a threat anywhere in our library, we must prevent him from accessing the tenth floor. Any of the valuable relics or books there could cause irreparable damage and destruction.
Relief nearly weakens my legs when I clear the railing and survey the situation at the base of the stairs leading to the tenth floor. My vampire and ghost move swiftly and form a barrier between the intruder and the stairs. Their presence is a secondary defense, however. Behind my avenging mates is a formidable wall of bricks. The tenth floor doesn’t exist. It’s just an illusion to me, but the anger radiating off Addington suggests that he sees it differently.
Is this why the library has been so quiet? Her silence might not have been more preparation than incapacitation.
I land behind the trespasser who bristles with indignation and righteous anger. My increased proximity reveals that the man’s clothes are soaked with sweat and his muscles are shaking. Is he battling the library’s magical defenses? Or is she suffering from the cost of the spell that allowed him entry? The reason for his weakness doesn’t really matter, but I still wonder.
A gust of air ruffles my feathers as the griffin lands next to me. He’s much larger than my sphinx, but not as large as I first thought him to be. I’m still surprised he’s managed to fly within the building. It requires considerable effort to focus on our prey rather than him.
Addington’s body automatically moves so that his back is against the wall and we’re bracketing him on either side. Avery moves subtly but purposefully to face him and block his escape in every direction.
“It’s a family reunion,” Addington snarls when Bren steps onto the landing. The book that we’d left unguarded is tucked under his arm, and the sight of it rekindles my anger. Kodi had checked on it before we met with the detective, but he hadn’t reported any changes. I don’t blame my ghost, though. He’s not adept at seeing magic.
The library prompts me wordlessly again. Now that I’ve bonded with all of my mates, she doesn’t need to use words. Over time, it will become more difficult to separate her wishes from mine.
“How did you get inside?” I demand. My sharp teeth are on full display and Avery mirrors me. His canines taper into needle-like points and crimson bloodlust has overtaken the silver color of his eyes. Biting this man should be a last resort, though. His blood is probably foul.
Addington faces me boldly, presenting a bored and unconcerned air despite his physical appearance. His step toward me is answered by Garrett. The sharp beak snaps inches away from Addington’s face. It’s a warning strike, but it carries a deadly message. The griffin could mortally wound this man. I want to assume that the alpha can’t shift within these walls, but I won’t wager on the assumption.
The bird’s head retreats to the cat’s body as swiftly as it attacked, but our prey growls with anger. “Don’t forget who gave you life, boy,” he growls.
The griffin chuffs, conveying righteous disbelief, and Bren matches him. “Irrelevant,” my mage scoffs with blunt derision. “You might have contributed to our existence, but our lives and reason for living belong to Zosia now.”
Bren’s controlled anger, clear expression, and the lack of a quote to convey his emotions surprise Addington. Although the man tries to maintain a lack of reaction, I can smell it and see the muscle ticking in his jaw. The griffin beside me ruffles his wings thumps his tail in a clear affirmative. He stares at the alpha shifter with an unblinking, piercing gaze.
“How did you get inside?” My words are short and measured. I want this man gone, but I need answers first.
“I had some assistance,” Addington responds. His projected calm is too much of a show to be entirely real. “Success requires knowing the right people.”
“Did Cronos assist you?”
Addington’s eyes flash briefly; I sense anger and a spark of betrayal. Although I’ve sent Avery brief mental images of Addington’s position, I hope he’s also utilizing his unique sight to decipher our prey’s emotions and intentions.
“I assisted Cronos.”
“What did you give them? What do they really want?” My voice remains deceptively casual, preventing my desire to know from leaking into my tone.
“What do you think, you stupid girl?” the loathsome man sneers. The griffin snaps again. This time, he catches fabric and skin. Addington howls with pain as he clutches his thigh, but Garrett didn’t break the skin. I don’t feel sorry for the alpha.
“He won’t tell us anything willingly,” Bren whispers through the mind link. Magic sparks in my peripheral vision and blue tendrils waft from the mage toward his disowned sire. “Ask him again.”
I don’t know what Bren is doing, but I trust him. “What does Cronos want?”
Addington rolls his eyes but words emerge when he opens his mouth. “The libraries of course – the power of their caretakers, the power of the artifacts stored within them, the vast cache of knowledge. They already have one, but they need the other two.” His tone is derisive as he continues, and I don’t think he’s realized that he’s telling us everything. “Where do you think I got the knowledge to steal supernatural power? Or the equipment? They didn’t think you would be so hard to break, and I didn’t think an idiot teenager could overcome my defenses.” Anger seeps into his voice – anger at failing.
Agitation pricks the bond and I glance behind Addington to Kodi. His body doesn’t show the signs, but this encounter is triggering his deathly encounter. I send soothing emotion along the link, reassuring him that Addington can’t harm either of us.
My slight distraction is all Addington needs to give him pause and question the situation. His eyes narrow on me. “What are you doing to me, sphinx?”
“I’m not doing anything. Did you forget where you are? Did you really think you could stand within her walls and not be affected by her power?” It’s not difficult to place the onus of the truth magic on the library instead of Bren. His father underestimates his skill. “What does Cronos want now? Why are you here? How did you get inside? How did you subvert the detective?” The questions roll easily from my tongue, but the last one surprises me. Why am I concerned with the detective’s fate?
“The library is weak,” Addington spits. “My minion very nearly stole its prized possession. I ensured his cooperation with his spouse and child.” The words are nearly indecipherable as he attempts to keep them inside. Veins throb along his neck and forehead and his muscles ripple with the need to shift. The stench of fear permeates his sweat.
“Go tell Detective Marks about his partner and tell him we need a set of cuffs and that we have another prisoner for him – one that should be transferred secretly.” I transfer the list of instructions to Kodi after conducting a swift look through the gargoyle’s gaze to ensure he’s still waiting on the steps.
“But …,” Kodi wails. He’s torn between wanting to leave and wanting to stay and help.
“Please,” I add. Kodi nods and zips into the air. Without a physical form, he’s more useful conducting the important errands than he would be in a fight. The detective’s desperation makes sense now.
“Where is the detective’s family?”
Addington absently rattles off an address and I send it to Kodi before repeating the questions the alpha didn’t answer. Bren’s complexion is starting to pale and I fear the spell might fade before we get answers.
Addington howls. It’s a hungry, angry cry that is as wolf-like as his human vocal cords are capable of making. I’m glad I sent Kodi away because I’m certain the sound would trigger him. When the alpha continues to resist, Garrett steps forward. The griffin’s eyes glare with lethal intent, and I know he’d rip his prey in two if it were necessary.
My sphinx growls. I may be part human, but I am still a deadly predator. “I won’t ask again. You’ve already been replaced, so no one will notice if you disappear.”
Addington’s face turns an alarming shade of purple and I worry that a burst blood vessel might kill him before he answers. The magic pulses powerfully as the library aids Bren. “I got in through the book. Its magic is spent now, except for the magic keeping the soul inside.” The shifter’s words are exhaled in short gasps and stutters and saliva drips down his chin.
When he realizes that speaking relieves the torturous pain of the spell, the words flow more easily. “They said they’d take me to a better world if I stole something – an artifact on the tenth floor. I don’t know what it is or what it does,” he protests when I start to ask. “If I fail, they’ll focus on the Eastern Library. Any efforts to take this library forcefully ended after you bonded with all of your mates. They have to wait now until they call in the favor you owe them.” Addington’s lips twist into a rueful smile. “The favor I forced you into.”
He’s right, but I’ll be damned if I allow him the last word. “Not so,” I murmur. “We have you now. We’ll just send the other one back and owe nothing.”
While Addington seethes, Bren releases the magic. The energy expended causes him to fall to his knees as he attempts to catch his breath. The alpha’s attention refocuses on his son. “It was you,” he remarks, sounding more surprised than angry. “You have finally impressed me, son.”
“We are no longer your sons,” Bren pants and Garrett shows his agreement by attacking. He rears back on his powerful haunches and tackles the other shifter to the floor under his birdlike forelegs. The talons sink into the shifter’s shoulders and his pointed beak is poised over the man’s neck.
“Don’t let him bleed on the floor,” I warn Garrett through the mental link. He doesn’t respond, but his beak and talons stop just before they pierce the flesh. Addington has given up or is biding his time because he endures the pressure and pain while continuing to glare at the griffin.
Avery disappears. Within seconds, he returns with the magical restraints. His vampiric speed is impressive, but he rarely uses it. “Detective Parks is waiting outside the foyer. He’s prepared to take the prisoner in secret.”
“Good,” I sigh. “We’ll let the Bureau sort it out.” I highly doubt Cronos will permit us to return the spare prisoner, but I want Addington to think it’s still a possibility.
I want nothing more than to relax with my men and forget about Cronos’ existence, but I can’t dismiss the information we’ve gained in the last day or so. Garrett remains a looming threat while Avery cuffs the man and the blue magic of the runes flashes into use, nullifying Addington’s magic.
The false book of military history remains on the floor where Addington fell when the griffin attacked. A brief discussion with Avery confirms that the magic we’d sensed earlier is spent. All that remains is Agustin’s soul. I’ll still burn it, but only after I attempt to free the soul of Atanea’s lost guardian. Even though the attempt might fail, I have to try. I would want someone to do the same for me.
“Stay right here. I’ll be back,” Garrett’s griffin commands along the mental link. I nod. Restrained and sulking, Addington no longer presents a threat, but Garrett still accompanies the vampire to the foyer, where the detective is waiting to assume custody.
Once they’ve retreated, I pad over to Bren. He’s still on the floor and his shoulders droop with exhaustion, but his color is beginning to return. “Don’t worry about me. My magic is already returning. The library appears to have an endless supply that we can give and take from in a continuous loop. She’s more content now, too. You can feel it right?” His hopeful expression and beautiful green eyes make me smile. I dip my head to kiss him, heedless of my animal form.
“I can feel it. You know that you’re amazing, right?”
“I’m only amazing because you believe in me.” The simple statement reverberates with the truth. His tender words and sweet kisses remind me of the day’s beautiful events.
This is the way it’s supposed to be. Anyone can be amazing and powerful if they have someone who believes in them – just one is enough. The world can tear us down, but we rise stronger if we are together. My mates’ strengths have fortified mine, and we only accomplished the impossible once we were working harmoniously. No matter what our future holds, I can do anything with them at my side. They are my strength, and I am theirs.