Page 32 of Dragon Compelled
“I think we’re getting off topic.” Oliver pushes off the shelf he’d been leaning on and comes to stand by Tawny. “They believe Hoc is alive. Which means that rescuing him must be a priority. If we can restore the head librarian to his post, then he can take over training Paige until the moment she is truly meant to lead.”
“And if he’s not found?” Tawny snaps. “If they risk all of this and cause irreparable damage for nothing? If they all become stranded and now we have a library that has not just lost its head librarian—but its keepers as well?”
“We handle it,” Oliver replies. “But attacking Paige and the others for doing what they believe is best is not our main focus. Or, it shouldn’t be. We’re here to ensure the head librarian is prepared for her job. This meeting is not accomplishing that.”
Tawny’s cheeks turn crimson. She whirls on me. “I want Hoc back, too, you know. He is the only one who can keep this place running smoothly. But he wouldn’t want his rescue to come at the sacrifice of innocent lives. And for all intents and purposes, those living in the books areinnocent,” she adds, letting me know that she does not think we are in the least.
I think back to Aries. To the fact that I accidentally ripped him from his world and had been worried he’d be executed over my mistake. An innocent man caught in the crossfire. With him here in the library, they would have put him down just like Blossom did that werewolf, not thinking twice about it.
Grief tightens in my chest at the mere thought of all I would have lost. And what’s worse is that I wouldn’t have known it. He would have died, and I would have continued existing without realizing a part of me was missing.
A part that he somehow gave to me.
A hand goes to my lower back, and I know, without a doubt, it’s his.
“We will ensure nothing happens to them,” I say. “But I won’t stop looking for Hoc.”
“Then their lives are in your hands, you foolish, foolish girl.” She shakes her head and leaves without another word. Oliver flashes a supportive smile my way then turns and follows.
As soon as they’re gone, Blossom turns to me. “Please let me kill her. Or, at least, strand her in a world far, far away.”
“No,” I reply. “We need them on our side. And now we don’t have to be secretive about looking for Hoc.”
Bingo growls, and Kitty snarls again, just as she and the gnomes take off down the stacks. Bingo trots off toward the basement. I shake my head, wondering why they hate each other so much.
When I look up, Aries, Mag, and Blossom are all looking at me with a pointed expression.
“What?” I ask warily.
“We need to talk about how to harness your magic,” Blossom says, keeping her voice low.
It’s so close to what Aries said to me last night that I look up at him with instant suspicion.
“What is this, an intervention or something?” I demand.
“Relax. Dragon man here mentioned it this morning,” she says. “As he should because what affects you affects us all.” I sigh, knowing damn well she’s right. “Besides, if we can help you control it, then you don’t have to worry about whether it’s your fault every time something in this place goes wrong.”
I swallow hard and nod because not wondering if I’m the problem anymore is an offer too good to pass up. “Fine. But I don’t know how to do what you’re asking. I don’t even know where I came from, Blossom, much less what kind of magic I have or how to use it.”
She reaches out and squeezes my arm. “I know. But we can figure it out if we all work together.”
“We’re already stretched thin as it is,” I remind her. “Especially now.”
“But now, Aries is out in the open, and we can use him without having to keep it a secret.”
I shake my head, feeling helpless and completely inadequate all at the same time. Why did the library think I was the best option to lead it? Why not Blossom? Or Mag? I mean, even the gnomes would be better choices at this point.
So why me?
“While I would prefer to maim or kill an enemy, I am more than happy to help with research,” Aries says, earning a grin from Blossom and an agreeing snort from Mag.
“That’s the spirit,” she tells him.
I sigh. “Where would we even look?”
“You have access to the Vetus collection now,” she reminds me. “We could start there.”
I consider her idea.
