Page 18 of Broken Destiny

Ansel shrugs. “Dighit couldn’t enter by himself while the building is closed, and he wouldn’t leave me alone until I accompanied him.” He stops in front of Avery. “Congratulations on your new post, Avery duClair. It’s an important assignment.”

Avery bows, and I’m reminded of how formal the supernatural world is compared to its human counterpart. “It’s my honor,” he murmurs earnestly. Ansel nods and clasps his shoulder briefly before leaving.

I sag in my chair, leaning against the table. Avery studies me, and I wonder what he sees. A golden light? Or amber? “You’re tired,” he observes. I sense a lot of his observations are couched in intuition and the usage of his other senses. It makes him more observant than most sighted people.

“I am,” I sigh. I’m sore now that the power has left me and the day’s work is catching up to my body. I think of the salve in my room and remind myself to thank Ansel the next time I see him.

Gilly appears out of nowhere, and I jump again. I’m still not used to it. “Your lessons are done for the day, but I’ve left some reading material for you in your apartment, Zosia.”

“Thank you, Gilly.” I pause. “Will Kodi be able to enter tonight?”

“Is that your ghost?” Avery asks curiously.

I sigh. “He’s notmyghost. I’ve just known him a while. I brought him here, and now I regret it because he finds himself in a similar position as you, beholden to a master in the House of Others.” I shake my head. “What is wrong with this culture that people think that’s normal? Did you get paid for your work?”

“Not exactly, but I was provided with lodgings, a small stipend, and meals. Being at the academy?” He shrugs. “It allows me to learn some of the same things they teach in the classes.”

My brows draw together. “Why don’t you just go to class?”

“They wouldn’t admit a born vampire, especially not a blind one.” Although he tries to hide it, bitterness underlays his words.

“There’s something very wrong with that,” I mutter, although I’m not surprised. I guessed as much when Geena was so blatantly dismissive.

Gilly speaks, reminding me she hasn’t answered my question yet. “If the library approves, your friend will be able to enter.”

Duggar appears next to us, holding the book that I signed earlier. “Forgive me, but all is not done yet. Avery needs to sign the contract.”

“Of course.” I can’t believe that I almost forgot. Everything seemed established already. “Avery, please sit.” The vampire hesitates only a moment before he reaches for a chair and settles into it with far more grace than I’ve ever exhibited. My curiosity again tumbles from my mouth. “You can see inanimate objects as well?” After the words burst from me, I sigh. “I’m sorry. I always say what I’m thinking.”

“And I don’t find that a bad thing,” Avery murmurs. His lips curve in an attractive fashion, and I feel lust course through me again, lust that has no place between my guard and me. I don’t know that there are actual laws against such a thing, but it seems right to assume it would only cause trouble. “I can sense where most objects are, especially larger ones that take up space. If they used to be made of something alive, that sense of space is even greater.” He spreads his palms out on the table between us, drawing my attention to his long, tapered fingers. “I will not be able to tell one book from another, though,” he begins tremulously as if he hates to admit weakness.

I smile. Even though he can’t see it, he’ll be able to hear it in my tone. “You don’t have to worry about that. That’s my job.”

“Very right,” Gilly agrees as her husband places the book in front of Avery. I can’t read this contract either, but it’s not because the type keeps shifting. It’s in braille. Avery’s lean fingers trail over the page, and I arch an eyebrow at Duggar.

“Is he actually able to read the contract in its entirety? I couldn’t.”

“His role is simpler,” the goblin answers with a shrug. Avery’s lips tilt as he comes to the second passage, increasing my curiosity.

“What is his role?” When no one answers, I sigh in exasperation. “Shouldn’t I know? I’m his boss, right?”

Duggar coughs, but it sounds suspiciously like a laugh. “The library is his boss. You enforce her rules.”

“Right. Shouldn’t I know what those rules are?” Just like my limitless curiosity, I hate things being kept from me. That’s something I know is due to my heritage, because it’s always been this way. I remember this one thing from my fuzzy childhood before being captured. Even as a precocious three-year-old, I couldn’t stand to know people were keeping things from me. I had to know everything. I remember several voices I can’t put names to calling me everything from nosy to too curious for my own good.

Avery reaches across the table with the hand that isn’t coasting over the tiny dots on the page. He captures my fidgeting hands, giving them a squeeze. “I am to protect you from every threat. Each line is a variation upon that.”

I swallow hard, trying not to focus on the warmth of his fingers. I’m not used to people touching me unless it’s one of the younger kids tugging on my arms or the Mother dragging me along the hallway toward the torture chamber where her paddle waited.

“Seems like a lot of words for just that,” I grumble. Carefully, so as not to offend, I pull my fingers away. I can’t let him touch me so tenderly or I might embarrass myself. It feels too good.

Avery’s fingers tap the dotted line at the bottom of the page. “Pen?” he asks. My breath catches as I meet Duggar’s gaze.

“Um, I had to sign in blood.” I’d forgotten about the implications that might have for a vampire.

Avery’s smile flashes, but it doesn’t appear as carefree as it was earlier. “Lucky I’m a born vampire then, or I’d have no blood with which to sign.”

I bite my tongue on the questions that want to pour from me, the differences between a born and a turned vampire. Duggar hands him the special pen. He pokes his finger with no hesitation, signing his name with a flourish. The blood doesn’t seem to bother him, but vampires aren’t usually bothered by their own blood. Vampires don’t generally have blood. I make a face. So confusing, and just one more thing I don’t know. The lack of knowledge makes me irritable.

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