Page 37 of Broken Destiny

But they’ve also distracted me. I turn to look at Gilly, who is rummaging through the kitchen for something I can’t see. “My grandmother?” I prod her.

“Yes. Your grandmother was the last true Abram librarian. Your mother was hidden away when she was born because there were threats against her. The wrong people found out about her powers. I suppose that’s why you were hidden at first as well. Unfortunately, you were found.”

Yes, I was. I swallow the memories before they can overtake me. They’re closer this morning, bubbling just under the surface as if they know their time is almost due. “If it was my grandmother, shouldn’t she still be alive? Didn’t you say that librarians live longer than normal supernaturals?”

Gilly’s eyes meet mine, a touch of sadness lighting their abnormally dark depths. “Yes, she should still be alive. She was lured from the library and killed.”

I don’t know how to respond to that.

“So Zosia is safe as long as she stays in the library?” Avery asks. Determination underlays his tone.

“She’s supposed to be, but there’s a reason she still has guardians. We’re not certain if the changing environment will provide a way to alter the protective wards.”

“Speaking of…”

Avery, Garrett, and Bren take turns telling me about what they’d talked about yesterday. I listen with growing horror. Supes turning humans? Capturing other supernaturals? It’s worse than I thought.

“All the more reason for you to learn to shift,” Gilly says as the men draw the explanation to a close.

I swallow again, anxiety and fear stealing my words. The library, which includes us, is integral to preventing the eradication of humans. No pressure or anything.

Chapter Eighteen

Avery

For the first time in my life, I feel wanted. From the second I noticed Zosia Abram’s bright aura, I knew my life would change. I didn’t realize that in two short days, I’d have everything I’ve ever longed for. The simple way that Garrett showed me around the kitchen to the cozy arrangements at the dining table in our shared apartments makes me feel like I’m part of a family. I’ve been hated since my cursed birth; family is something I never thought to have.

The auras are calm as my new friends talk about the downfall of supernaturals and humans. I sense Zosia’s worry, but also her determination. I make a vow of my own. No matter what happens, we’ll keep her safe. From any threat. Wordlessly, we agree not to share our suspicions about her captivity. She will have to know at some point, but just the thought makes me rage with helpless anger. It’s helpless because it has no outlet. If I knew my enemy, they’d never breathe again.

I’m jolted from my thoughts by Gilly’s proclamation that our beautiful librarian needs to shift. Her worry increases. I long to hold and reassure her, but we’re not at that stage yet.

“Let me finish breakfast first, at least,” Zosia tells the little goblin. I hide a smile behind my hand. She may have been beaten down, but she’s made of fire and iron. Being broken apart merely reforged her into something stronger.

The ghost is restless. He only sits for a couple minutes at the table before he starts to hover again. His anxiety is so palpable that it far eclipses Zosia’s, and I wonder what stake he has in her shifting. He’s known her the longest; perhaps he’s fearful for her, but I theorize there’s more to it than that.

The presence of the new men disturbed me at first. Bren fits easily into our group, but Garrett didn’t feel like he matched. His status as a shifter makes me wary. Alphas are generally territorial, and they don’t share. Still, his mind must have agreed to the terms set forth by the contract, or he wouldn’t have been able to sign it. The gentleness he’d shown earlier as he guided me around the kitchen belied his nature, and I’m wondering if Bren’s existence has tempered him into something softer than he might have been without his brother.

“Avery?” My name on Zosia’s lips draws my immediate attention, interrupting my thoughts. “You seem deep in thought this morning.”

I flash a quick smile. “I’m just thinking of how much my life has changed in the last couple of days.”

“Yes, well, it was time,” Zosia says, her voice affronted. I love that she feels energized to speak on my behalf. Her fervent beliefs that no one should be indentured to anyone are more human than supernatural, but I find it endearing. She’s correct. It’s something no sentient being should endure.

“It was,” I agree.

There’s a moment in which the energy shifts. The moments like these are often explained by small body movements or facial expressions - things I can’t see. I wait a moment, certain I’ll understand the situation soon. The ghost has already disappeared. Garrett and Bren follow him, the older one grunting about getting a tour of the library. Soon, it’s just Zosia and me.

Finished with my breakfast, I question whether she wants me here or not. This is when I curse my lack of sight. Most of the time, it doesn’t leave me at a disadvantage. It’s the most difficult in these small moments when I can’t read the social nuances.

“Can I speak with you a moment?” Zosia asks as I’m about to stand up, and my shoulders relax with relief.

“Of course.” I move to one of the chairs next to her. This close, I can smell the strawberry shampoo she uses in her hair. It mingles perfectly with her specific scent of shifter and books.

“I wanted to talk to you about yesterday,” she begins hesitantly after I’ve situated myself close enough that I can hear every rustle of her body when she shifts in her chair.

“Many things happened yesterday,” I tease, and I’m sure she blushes. A woman once told me of that phenomenon, and it’s one I wish I could see. I wonder what color her cheeks take when she’s embarrassed. Color is the only visual I understand, and I’m lucky to have the skill.

“Yes, you’re quite right about that,” she responds with a little laugh. There’s a second in which I imagine she’s steeling her courage. “But specifically, your feeding. I didn’t realize the contract trapped you here, making it unable for you to leave.”

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