Page 58 of Dragon Compelled
“Yes,” I say, ignoring Mag’s terrible attempt at humor while I try to glean more info from the scant notes that are left in the file. “Whoa. Wait.”
“What is it?” Blossom asks.
They both crowd in closer to read over my shoulder.
“This says the library only has access to remove or install a mark while the person is inside the walls of the library.”
“And since Hoc isn’t...” Blossom says.
“His tattoo remains in play,” Mag finishes.
We’re all silent as we think through the implications of that.
“What else is in there?” Mag asks when I finally go back to scanning the document.
“Nothing useful.” I sigh. “The rest of the file talks about the mage’s spellwork stipulating that the library’s magic must be tethered to a living being in order to continue.”
“The head librarian,” Blossom says.
I nod. “It says the bond can only be severed through death, in which case the library’s magic chooses another to take the position.”
I look up at them, tears burning my eyes as I realize something. “That means Hoc died as soon as Constantine dragged him through that portal.”
“Paige.” Blossom’s expression is full of sympathy, but she doesn’t tell me I’m wrong.
“This whole time, I've been making us all search for someone who...”
“We all wanted to search,” Mag says. “And we all needed the closure.”
I look up at him, managing to keep the tears at bay. “Thank you, Mag. That means a lot.”
“We have your back,” Blossom says. “And we had Hoc’s too.”
I take a breath to steady myself. “I appreciate it.”
“So, the library runs on magic,” Blossom says, a gleam in her eye.
“What are you thinking?”
“Well... you have magic. You’re a mage,” she adds.
“I don’t know what I am,” I say.
“Well, maybe what’s in you can tap into what’s in this library and—”
“You’re forgetting I still have no idea how to fully tap into either one of those things,” I say.
She shrugs. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”
I don’t bother pointing out that, up until now, I haven’t figured out much when it comes to this place. Instead, I lean back in my chair and run both hands over my face before resting them on the table. “Oliver said something to me—”
“And you’re listening to that asshat?” Blossom snaps.
“He asked if I’d considered replacing Tawny as a council member.”
Both Blossom and Mag stare back at me in stunned shock. “When?”
“Right before I found her dead,” I tell them.
