Chapter 15
Asthe fireball hit Hugo’s wings, he howled. He turned and kicked at the phoenix with a massive foot, propelling it across the sky.
Itdidn’t take the phoenix long to recover from the blow, turning in midair and flapping its wings as it headed straight back at Hugo.
Theyclashed in the air, wings of fire battling wings like stone. I stared upward at the sight that rendered me awestruck while I fretted helplessly on the ground. Roars of fury and pain echoed around me.
Whatcould I do? There had to be something. But what? I was just a human, and these were creatures far more formidable than me.
Wherewere the other gargoyles? MaybeI could get them to help.
Iturned and ran back toward the library, trying not to wince at each thud behind me. Oddly, it didn’t seem too quiet. AsI approached the library, I turned back to see Hugo had followed me and my heart panged. He was protecting me still.
Iglanced up at the two gargoyle statues mounted on the library and called out, “Are you there? You have to help Hugo!” One heartbeat pounded into another as I willed to see the stone shift, just as it had the day Hugo had revealed himself to save me.
Nothinghappened. My shoulders sagged. Where the hell were they?
“There’s a man—phoenix—” What the hell was it? “Some kind of phoenix shifter fighting Hugo. Please help!” I begged.
Stillno response.
Ifretted, circling in a figure eight while I frantically tried to figure out what I could do. What could I do! Why would I be able to do anything? I was just a librarian, a human—utterly powerless in comparison to supernatural forces.
But—the grimoire. Could there be something in there to help?
SinceI’d been practicing with spells, could I find one that would help me in the situation? Damn it, I wouldn’t have time to study for the best option.
Iran inside, and the journey seemed to stretch days. My fingers trembled as I searched the bookshelf where Hugo had moved the three books. Which books and which order? My brain stuttered as I tried to recall what he’d told me.
WhenI was reasonably certain, I moved them. My breath came hard as I waited. After a few pounding heartbeats, nothing happened, and my shoulders sagged in defeat.
Thenthe sound of something moving over the floor caught my attention, and I perked up. The bookcase was opening.
Oncethe gap was wide enough, I slipped through it. With my heart pounding hard in my chest, I rushed to retrieve the book from where I’d hidden it in the middle of a stack of books, just like the gargoyles hid—in plain sight.
Istared at the book, overwhelmed by what I had to do. A small voice inside whispered that it was futile; I was just a mousy librarian out of her league.
Notime to think. I had to act. Otherwise, the gargoyle outside who had risked his life numerous times to protect me could be killed. I couldn’t let that happen to anyone—especially someone who I cared for such a great deal.
Maybeeven loved.
Ouch, I couldn’t lose him so soon after I’d found him. Be brave. I opened the book and searched for something, anything that might give me some guidance. It was my grandmother’s book. It included her magic spells. I was her granddaughter. If there was ever a chance for me to do something, it was now.
Afterflipping through pages, my hopes began to snuff out. Why was I futilely searching for a book when Hugo was outside fighting to save me?
Iwas about to close the book in frustration and dragged my gaze away with a groan. In my peripheral vision, something tugged at me. It was Adelaide’s mirror. I put the book down on the table to go look at it. Could it help me?
Use it, Anya, a voice urged inside my head. I turned with a start. Who was that?It wasn’t my internal voice.
Astrange sensation trickled inside. “Grandmother?” I said aloud, hesitantly. Could it be?
Trust yourself. Use your magic, the voice insisted.
Itwas Adelaide, wasn’t it? My grandmother. But what magic? I didn’t have any inside me.
Nowwasn’t the time to debate that. I took a deep breath and carried the mirror over to the book. WhenI glanced at the page, I swore under my breath in awe. It displayed a reflection spell.
Iturned to the mirror I held. Could this work? I quickly reread the instructions. This wouldn’t require as much of me as some of those most complicated spells. In fact, it put the onus on the other person. Or sorcerer. Or phoenix. Or whatever the hell that unnatural things was.
ShouldI try it? My heart pounded as I wrestled with the decision. IfI brought the book out of the library, I could be putting it directly into the hands of the sorcerer I was entrusted to keep it from. But no way did I have time to memorize the lines to cast the spell.
Screwit. The other option of not doing a damn thing to help Hugo wasn’t an option. I clutched the book against my chest and ran outside. WhenI was greeted once more by this unreal battle in the sky between a phoenix and gargoyle, I gaped in disbelief. At least Hugo was still up there, fighting. Still alive.
Iheld out the mirror, opened the book, and began to read the words to the spell. The phoenix paused in its aggression for Hugo and redirected its position on me. As he soared toward me with magnificently fast trajectory and deadly intent in its eyes, he snarled, “Give me the book.”
Ohhell, I’d made a terrible mistake, hadn’t I?
Asthe creature bounded for me, flapping his fiery wings, I crouched on the ground and used the book to shield me—not that it would do a damn thing against destructive wings of fire.