Page 29 of Broken Destiny

Garrett continues to stare at Zosia, and she squirms under his scrutiny. “Aren’t all true librarians sphinxes?”

Zosia looks down at her lap, and I wish I were close enough to smack him upside the head. She already has confidence issues without rubbing it in, but she surprises even me when she meets his gaze again. The gold flecks in her eyes blaze with fire, and my dick twitches in response. My woman is amazing. “That’s true. I will shift.” She’s required to shift to retain her position, but she doesn’t tell my brother that.

“And being a guardian of this library?”

“You will guard Zosia, be her representative if she so chooses, and assist her in her day-to-day duties.” Finally, the blasted goblin shows up. Took him long enough.

“There you are!” I point at the little man with the book. “I’ve been waiting. What took so long?”

“Master Bren.” The little creature nods to me. His wings twitch as if we’ve been friends forever. Or maybe I irritate him. I can’t tell. Garrett stares at the library goblin, his mouth slightly open. They’re only in the libraries - created for the sole purpose of protection and assistance to the librarians. They also ward off the book eaters, but not many people know that. “I wanted to be certain your brother made his decision before I came,” the goblin continues. He bows. “I am Duggar, keeper of the contracts.” He glances at Zosia. “As for the information you requested…”

Another goblin zips in, fast on her little wings. She carries four books as if they weigh nothing more than a feather even though they’re bigger than her. She releases them when she’s hovering several feet above the table, but they land as softly as if she’d gently set each one down. Zosia’s eyes widen as the little creature flits away.

“What?’ she asks in surprise.

“This is a library. All the information you need? All the knowledge you want? It’s here. You just need to ask for it.”

Zosia’s face reddens again as the male goblin reprimands her. It’s so cute, especially with her golden coloring. She’s beautiful.

“And was that one of your children?” she asks curiously. The little one is no longer visible.

Duggar nods with a shrug. “She’s shy.” He gives Ansel a meaningful look, and the man shuffles his feet and excuses himself quietly. Zosia starts to object like she has something to say to him, but he tells her he’ll be back when the library opens again. I don’t think she realizes what completing her guard circle will do to him, but he knows. He would have known the terms when he accepted the position.

Once Ansel is gone, Duggar slips past Garrett. A slight flutter of his wings brings him to table level, and he places the contract book on the table between my brother and me. Then, he waits. “If you’re ready,” he begins, but I stop him by grabbing for the book. It opens to the page it’s meant to - the one waiting for my signature. My eyes zip over the words. I know them. Even if I didn’t, it doesn’t matter. This is my destiny.

I hold my hand out. “Pen, please.”

Garrett grabs my outstretched hand, forcing me to meet his eyes again. “Are you sure, Bren?”

I meet his gaze and nod. “It’s the only way.”

It’s the only way for us. It’s the only way to save our society. It’s the only way to prevent a small group of supernaturals from taking control with their mostly human army. There’s no other way. I hope all that gets expressed. Some of it must, because he nods and releases my hand. I take the pen and poke my finger without hesitation. This library is my home, and this woman is mine. I’ve waited my entire life for this moment.

Chapter Fifteen

Zosia

I’m so focused on the beautiful man about to sign his life into my care that I barely notice Avery’s indrawn gasp. He steps away from me. I’m about to make sure he’s okay when Bren signs with a flourish, turns the page, and shoves the book across the table to his reluctant brother.

Bren’s breath tickles my ear when he whispers quietly. “Not yet.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about, distracted again by his lack of personal space and boundaries. He gets up from the table and walks over to his brother. “Do it quick, brother. Then it won’t hurt as much.” Bren goads the huge man as Avery takes another step away from the table. Bren knows how to play Garrett, though, something I’ve observed repeatedly since I met the siblings. The shifter scoffs, scans the page quickly, and signs his name. I would have thought a man like Garrett would want to spend hours poring over the text. It surprises me that he doesn’t.

As soon as the book is closed, it disappears into thin air. Bren stands up and rubs his hands together. “Now that’s done, we can deal with the hungry vampire.”

Surprise and embarrassment rush through me as I spin in the chair to look at Avery. His cheeks are paler than usual, and his breath pants from him. His eyes flash with crimson. He stares away from the table where two warm-blooded men just drew blood, his lean form vibrating with tension.

“Oh, I’m such an idiot,” I mutter under my breath. “Avery, why didn’t you say something?” I don’t mean to put the blame on him, but he’s a grown man in full control of his hunger, or so I thought. “Have you fed at all since you came here? How bad is it?”

“Do you want him to find someone else? A woman, perhaps?” Bren asks me. The possessive rage that burns through me and itches my spine surprises me so much that I’m glad I’m already sitting.

“What?” I sputter, rubbing at the pain tearing through the center of my chest. “How else is he supposed to feed?” I force the words through my clenched teeth. I don’t know how I’ll react if he steps outside the library at that moment.

Avery takes two deep breaths and lifts his head. His long-fingered hands are clenched into fists as he stares straight at me as if he’s gazing into my eyes. “I’m sorry, Zosia, but I’m to use you for all my needs unless I am expressly given permission from you. Blood is a need. I can’t feed on anyone else unless you give me leave.”

“What?” The word bursts from me and is echoed by Garrett, who frantically tries to find the book he just signed. The goblin watches the scene impassively as Kodi hovers uncertainly. “That wasn’t in my contract,” I sputter, but I don’t really know because I couldn’t read the damn thing. Understanding floods me. “All your needs? All of them?” The words squeak from me, my embarrassment evident. “Duggar.” I turn on the little creature; he doesn’t appear fazed at all.

“It’s better if the five of you keep yourselves here for any need that could induce intimacy. It’s safer that way and creates a closed loop of trust and understanding.”

---