Page 29 of Dragon Compelled
“We can’t stop looking for Hoc,” he says, looking torn.
“I never thought I’d say this, but we sure could use a few more keepers,” Blossom says.
“What about the gnomes?” I ask. “Would they help?”
“Not if Paige asks,” Blossom says. Mag looks confused, but she waves him off, adding, “I’ll bribe them with candy. Don’t worry about it.”
“We can up our patrols during the day if the gnomes will split up,” Mag tells me.
“Good. I’ll help with the night shift,” I say.
“Bro, you need to sleep sometime,” Mag says.
“I’ll be fine. In fact, I’ll start tonight.” I look at Blossom. “We can split up and cover more ground, but if you need me, whistle.”
“I don’t mind staying tonight,” Mag says, but Blossom pins him with a look.
“Go home and get your beauty sleep,” she tells him. “You’re going to need it for your night shift tomorrow.”
“One more thing. We don’t tell Paige about the alarm failure or the extra patrols,” I say.
Blossom nods. “Normally, I’d be against keeping secrets from my friend, but I agree with you. Paige doesn’t need the stress, and besides, the last thing we need is the council catching wind of the library’s malfunction. They’ll only blame her for it, and she’s under enough pressure from them already.”
“Fine, but if you two are patrolling tonight, then I’m going to get started on the books that fell earlier,” Mag says. Blossom looks ready to argue, but his expression is set as he adds, “Save your ire for the enemy, gorgeous.”
She smirks as he offers me a salute and then walks off. “Trust me, I have more than enough to go around,” she calls back.
Chapter8
Paige
There is not enough coffee in the world for a day like today.
Eyes heavy from a night plagued with nightmares, I make my way into the break room and pour a mug. I don’t bother adding any cream or sugar, just tip it up and let the hot, stout liquid slip down my throat.
I’ve no sooner taken a second drink than Tawny strolls in, looking particularly agitated. She’s wearing an eggplant pants suit and jacket today, her silver hair pinned back away from her face.
“Good morning,” I greet stiffly.
“We’re having a staff meeting. Now.”
“A staff meeting?” Alarm shoots through me. “Why?”
“Why do you think?” she snaps. “Last night’s incident coupled with the new security officer Hoc brought in means that there is more going on here than I originally thought.”
Aries.Oliver told her about him already. Fear ices my veins. “I have the paperwork from Hoc. From when he hired Aries.”
“I know,” she sneers. “I found it this morning after Oliver informed me that he’d been hired. If I’m going to do my due diligence to oversee this library, I need to meet with all the staff.”
I swallow hard. “I’ll make sure everyone is notified. Where would you like to have the meeting?”
“How about right where that werewolf was freed from its book?” She pops the last word then turns on her heels and storms out.
I sink down into the chair, cradling my face in both hands. “Hoc, what am I supposed to do?” Tears threaten to spill, but I take a deep breath and shove the emotion down. It will do me no good right now, not when I have to keep my head.
Aries strolls into the break room, and I look up at him. “What are you—”
“I heard what she said. Seems I’m needed.” He flashes me a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
