Page 87 of Dragon Unleashed
After that, Mag and Blossom claim they have to return to patrols, leaving me and Aries with cleanup duty. Aries doesn’t complain once, though, and by the time we’re done, it’s only the two of us left.
If I’m going to confront Hoc, now’s the best time. Aries meets my eyes and nods like he’s read my thoughts.
“You stay put,” I remind him before marching off.
I find Hoc in his office, poring over a large volume lying open on his desk. “Wow, a real party animal,” I say. Despite everything I’ve come here to discuss, there’s still this easy bond between us. If I think too hard about that, it’ll make me want to weep.
Hoc looks up as I enter and half-smiles. It’s a bad attempt, but it’s better than nothing. Beyond the mouth-quirk, he looks stressed.
“Did you find out anything?” I ask, sinking into one of the chairs across from his desk. Briefly, I think about the last time I was in here. Hoc lecturing me about “one last shot to become keeper.” A role I’m willingly relinquishing which seems ironic considering how far I went to win it.
“Nothing definitive,” he says, leaning back and sighing heavily. “And that’s what concerns me. Even after all my tests, there’s nothing to say he isn’t still free.”
“But there’s nothing to say he is either?”
“The tracking spell I cast on his book is taking more time than I’d like to complete. That could likely mean he’s not in this library at all, but it’s not confirmed yet,” he says. “And until it is, I won’t rest.”
“I understand. Today isn’t exactly the best timing for the party and for...”
He softens. “I’m not going to keep you here, Paige, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I understand if you need the extra help,” I say, but he waves me off.
“Nonsense. A promise is a promise. Though I will miss seeing you here.”
“So will I.” My heart aches for what I’m leaving. Blossom. Mag. The gnomes.
“We’ll see each other again, though. I can come visit you in your new home,” he offers, but I don’t answer.
The lump in my throat turns to lead in my gut. “Before I go, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest.”
“Okay.”
“Constantine told Aries...”
“Yes?”
Hoc is watching me so closely, but my thoughts are jumbled. What if he’s been lying? What then? But … what if he doesn’t know. I can’t leave here—forever—without at least asking for the truth.
“Do I have magic?”
I blurt the words clumsily, but I don’t care. At least, they’re out. And I don’t miss the part where Hoc flinches. Or the fact there’s not a single flicker of disbelief or shock at my question.
My stomach drops to my knees.
That’s it, then.
“You know,” I realize. “You’ve always known.”
“Paige, I...”
He trails off, and I wait, but he doesn’t say more. I’ve never seen him look more lost. For some reason, that pisses me off.
My hands tremble with anger, so I clench them into fists at my sides and remain where I am.
“Hoc, tell me the truth. What am I?”
“Paige, you have to understand; it’s much more complicated than you think.”
