Page 22 of Dragon Compelled
“How are you a council member and yet you’ve never actually seen the library?”
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “Honestly, being chosen for this job isn’t nearly as exciting as you’d think. We pretty much just live normal lives until we’re needed. This is the first time that the council has actually stepped foot into the library since the day Hoc took over.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah. I wasn’t even born yet when that happened. But I’ve heard stories about an Extrication. Apparently, it happened right before Hoc took over.”
“Really?”
“So says the council rumor mill.” He grins. “Tawny and the others were called in to help sort through the aftermath of the lives lost that day. It was that event where Tawny and Hoc apparently hit it off and emailed back and forth for years afterward.”
I shove aside my own feelings about the day I arrived here and try to imagine a younger Hoc and the woman Oliver claims was charmed by him. “That’s so strange. I couldn’t even find a way to contact you guys. I scoured Hoc’s emails, and there was nothing.”
Oliver shrugs. “Maybe they used a separate account to communicate. I just know that, when she found out Hoc had been replaced, she lost her mind. Called me and Phillip—the other council member,” he adds. “She demanded we meet at once to find out what was going on.”
“You’re making me feel bad for her.”
He laughs. “Not my intention at all. Just wanted you to know that there’s more to her than meets the eye. We really are here to help, Paige. Your success is our success. The library called us here because it sensed that you needed help.”
“And if the library chose wrong?” I vocalize the fear, even knowing I probably shouldn’t. “If it picked me out of desperation and I don’t actually have what it takes?”
Oliver takes my hand and pats it gently. “The libraryneverchooses wrong. You’re here for a reason, and sooner or later, that reason will become apparent.”
“Well, let’s hope that the reason is for me to hold the fort down until we find Hoc.”
Something dark flashes over Oliver’s expression, but before I can ask what it is, Aries steps up right behind him. My gaze widens.
What is he doing? Didn’t I tell him to remain hidden until Oliver left?
Oliver turns and sees Aries behind him, but he doesn’t look the least bit threatened. Instead, he releases my hand and offers his to Aries. “Oliver Stark. And you are?”
“Aries,” he replies, tone sharp.
His brow furrows. “Aries. I didn’t know we had a keeper by that name.”
“I’m serving temporarily.”
“Hoc brought Aries in to help with the security breaches,” I say quickly, the lie rolling from my tongue like truth.
“I’m also here to protect Paige,” Aries adds pointedly. I shoot him a glare that he promptly ignores.
Oliver looks back and forth between us. “Ahhh. So, you’re the boyfriend.”
Aries straightens, and heat floods my cheeks. “Yes,” he says. “I am.”
I bite back a groan.
Oliver glances back at me. “Know all about forbidden relationships, huh?” He chuckles. “Listen, if I were you, I’d keep the relationship a secret. Tawny is not going to handle it well. She’s a stickler for the ‘no workplace romance’ rule. As it stands, the fact that she didn’t know Hoc brought on an extra hand is going to grate on her nerves.”
“You’re going to keep a secret from her for us?” I ask, honestly surprised.
“Yeah. The way I see it, unless it affects the ability for either of you to do your jobs, I don’t see why she needs to know.”
Aries doesn’t say a word, but I am beyond grateful.
“She does need to know that Hoc brought him on, though,” Oliver adds. “And sooner rather than later. Otherwise, she’s likely to lose her damned mind if she discovers it on her own. Do you have the documentation?”
“Documentation?” I ask.
