Page 52 of Dragon Compelled
Out on the floor, I patrol for any messes or problem areas, keeping in mind anything this Phillip guy might try to use to boot me. The gnomes step up too, reshelving the stack of books from the basement so I don’t have to go back down there. They still keep their distance from me, thanks to our fight a few days ago, but I manage to draw reluctant smiles out of them during lunch when I bring them a bag of Sour Patch to share.
After scouring the Alchemy section for any sign of Constantine’s meddling—and finding none—I return to my office to find Oliver waiting for me.
“Hey,” he says, brightening when he sees me. “How are you holding up?”
“Staying busy,” I admit as I push past him through the door.
He follows me saying, “Good strategy.” Then he glances uncertainly at the open door behind me. “Your dragon warrior isn’t around then?”
Something in his tone causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end. Power I still don’t understand but have learned to appreciate since it pulled Hoc back to our world flares to life beneath my skin. “Aries is on patrol. Why? Is something wrong?”
“No,” he assures me. “Nothing needing his assistance. But... I had hoped to speak with you alone.”
“Oh.” I take the hint and close the door behind me before rounding my desk and sitting. “What’s on your mind?”
Dread coils inside me as I wonder what Tawny has said now.
“Well, I was wondering if you’ve considered the idea of replacing Tawny as a council member.”
I blink, completely taken off guard. “I didn’t know I could do that.”
“Paige.” His faint smile is more amused than anything. “You’re the head librarian of the most powerful supernatural library in the world. You can do whatever you want.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. I guess I just assumed the library oversaw the council choices.”
“It does, but if a council member is no longer a good candidate for the position, they will be terminated, and a new one will be chosen.”
I pause, unsure what he means by all of this. “What would make someone no longer a good candidate?”
“That’s between you and the library.”
“I’m not sure I follow.”
“As head librarian, you have a direct link to the heart of the library.” He cocks his head. “You still haven’t discovered the depth of your connection to this place, have you?”
Athenaeum’s face swims into the forefront of my memory. Though, for some reason, even as I trust Oliver, I can’t bring myself to divulge that piece of knowledge. “I...I guess not,” I lie. “How do I do that?”
He shakes his head. “I wish I could help you with it, but for once, the manual has failed me. The library has never shared that particular secret with anyone but its head librarian, which means you’ll have to discover it for yourself.” He heads for the door. “I’ll be back tomorrow with Tawny and Phillip.”
“She’s called a vote then.” Dread coils in my stomach.
“Yes. I hope you figure it out in time, Paige. For what it’s worth, I’m rooting for you. You love this place, and that means something.”
He lets himself out, and I sit back in my chair, realizing, not for the first time, how little I understand about my duties here. Athenaeum has answers, but she’s made it clear she only ever shows up once per lifetime. “If ever there was a time for you to break the one-time-only visitation rule, Athenaeum, now would be it.”
* * *
Two hours later,I’m closing up shop. The temptation to work into the night is strong, but I’ve learned over these last weeks—and especially today—family has to come first. And that means going home to Aries and putting all my energy into the man I am going to love forever. He’s suffered just as much as I have these last weeks, and he’s done it quietly while fully supporting my needs. That kind of devotion deserves a reward that’s long overdue. A reward I fully plan to give him tonight—over and over again.
Halfway to the elevator, I hear a noise in the stacks. A muffled thud that makes me freeze, listening.
But instead of a keeper’s voice, the silence that follows rings in my ears.
“Hello?” I call uncertainly.
No answer.
“Bingo? Ted? Ned?” I call, taking a step toward the sound I heard. “Who’s out there?”
