Page 13 of Broken Destiny

Ansel laughs. For a moment, it pisses me off, thinking he finds my friend’s plight funny, but he explains quickly. “Zosia, as the new librarian, you automatically earn a seat on the Academy Board of Directors and a position on the delegation for the OSC. Where knowledge is concerned, you are now the foremost expert in the supernatural community.”

“No pressure,” I mutter. I didn’t even know this place existed, and now I’m an expert? Nervous laughter bubbles inside me. “Um, I don’t know anything…”

“You’ll grow into this world and your role.” He dismisses my concerns with a wave of his beringed hand. I debate telling him that the man that put me in the hospital wore one of those rings, but lifelong distrust stalls my words. “As for Kodi, you’re allowed to select a group of guardians to help you protect the library. The library decides what capacity they’ll serve in. There’s nothing in the rules that says a ghost can’t be included among those ranks, but I’m not certain the library will accept him as an acceptable sentry because of his inability to touch things. The fact that he was allowed to visit you in the guardhouse suggests that he’s trusted, so that’s a start.”

“I’ll ask her.” The words come out on instinct as if I’ve already become accustomed to speaking of a building as a sentient female. “But that’s only one...”

“I have a couple of supernaturals in mind if you’d allow me to introduce you?”

I nod quickly. “That would be preferable,” I reply with relief, more focused on freeing Kodi than selecting a cadre of guards. How many will I need?

“Excellent. The library will stay closed for a couple of days until you acclimate and get accustomed to your role and move into your new quarters.”

I nod and take another hesitant sip. “You didn’t track down the man who…?” I motion toward my legs, and Ansel frowns unhappily.

“Unfortunately not, Zosia. Whoever it is, they’ve covered their tracks well.”

I can only nod in response. I’ll have to delve into my memories at some point and learn who it is. I can’t hide from my duties forever. I made a promise. “How did you know who I was? When I was in the human hospital?” I don’t have many memories from that time, but I thought I’d remember his compassion. It’s a rarity in my experience.

“I’ve been looking for survivors of your lineage for a long time, Zosia, almost two centuries. The library gave me the task the moment I came of age. It became my life’s work, along with working with the House of Beasts here at the academy. Even with your magic hidden and decreased, I knew who you were.”

“And I’m the only one?”

Ansel’s expression droops with sadness. “As far as I know, yes. Your parents aren’t believed to be alive.”

I’d thought as much, and I’ve already made peace with the fact that my family is likely dead. “So the illusion?” I ask, bringing the subject back around to less painful topics.

“The library doesn’t trust everyone, as it shouldn’t, especially considering what happened to your ancestors. Those that aren’t on its list, so to speak, see what you saw when you first entered. If they need additional information, it will be your decision as the representative to find the book or deny their request. Knowledge is power, and not every supernatural is granted access.”

I remember Duggar’s warnings about the supernatural community and wonder if Ansel knows what’s going on. But again, that’s for another time. I need to learn everything I can about my new job. My mysterious benefactor stands as he senses my thoughts turn inward. He pulls the ring of keys I saw last night from his pocket and places them on the table in front of me. I stare at them, realizing that taking those keys is another step in accepting this position. But I’ve already given my blood, so there’s no going back now.

“I’ll need my chair,” I say hesitantly. Ansel’s eyes flicker behind me. I look with him to see that my wheelchair has been deposited in front of the circulation desk. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I still am.

Ansel gives me a half-smile. “The library provides, Zosia.”

“So she does,” I murmur.

“I’ll bring by the couple men I have in mind for the guardian positions later. You’ll know when I enter the building, so feel free to wander and get to know her and your new place here. No one else will be able to enter but me until you are properly guarded.”

I nod absently and barely notice as Ansel takes his leave. Alone in the cavernous space, I lean back in my chair and look up, way up, into the glass dome that allows the light inside. Not alone, I amend. I can feel the essence of the library and each of the goblins if I concentrate. There are eight as far as I can tell. I imagine they’ll introduce themselves when they’re ready.

I close my eyes and take in what just happened. Yesterday, I was an orphan with no plans, no dreams, and no thoughts other than the ones I allowed myself when I sank into my books. I escaped into them to ignore the desperate situation of my life, the lack of a future, and the uncertainty of what I wanted or needed. Now, I’m surrounded by books to escape into, and I don’t want to. For the first time, I feel I’m where I truly belong. It’s a heady sensation, and I can understand why someone else would want to steal this power. These walls contain immeasurable knowledge, wisdom, and truth. And it’s my job to protect it.

I release a small sigh. I’m not a praying person, but I wish fervently. Please, don’t let me fuck this up.

Chapter Seven

Zosia

“Let me show you where you’ll sleep, Mistress.” The quiet voice makes me jump, nearly causing me to knock my knees against the underside of the table. The little library goblin reminds me of Duggar, except that she’s obviously female, with curves on her humanoid body. She still doesn’t have any hair, but her eyes are a little lighter than Duggar’s, not flat black in her leathery face. Her hat is blue.

“Hi,” I offer as I gather my crutches and pull myself from my seat.

She bows neatly. “My name is Gilly, Miss. You’ve already met one of my husbands, Duggar.”

I blink as I follow her behind the huge circulation desk. “One of your husbands? How many do you have? How many of you are there?” My questions are rude, but I have to know. A strange thought hits me. If I’m a sphinx, I’m part cat. No wonder I’m so curious all the time. Hopefully, that clichéd statement isn’t true. I don’t really want to die for my curiosity.

“I have two husbands, Duggar and Murray. We have five children. So there are eight of us all together. The children are shy, so you might not see them that often. They love playing hide and seek in the stacks, though.” Her voice is both business-like and pleasant, which automatically puts me at ease.

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