Page 67 of Dragon Compelled
Constantine snaps a finger, and they fall silent again.
The gnomes gasp and shrink away.
“It’s done,” Constantine says with glee.
“Now to get rid of them,” Oliver says, tightening his hold on Paige.
“If you harm one hair on her head, I will make you wish for death long before I allow it,” I tell him.
Oliver has the sense to look nervous, but he doesn’t release Paige.
“Whatever magic you think you have,” Blossom says, “It’s not stronger than the Athenaeum’s power. You’re an intruder here, and we will deal with you accordingly.”
She lifts her arm and utters the words Mag always says when he’s conjuring a portal. Nothing happens, and Constantine smirks.
“How else can I spell it out for you, little unicorn?” Constantine snaps at her. “The Vetus collectionisthe source of the Athenaeum’s power. And now that I possess the collection, that power is mine to wield.”
“Oh, shit.” Mag stares at the book Constantine holds up like some sort of trophy. “Guys, look.”
“What?” Blossom hisses.
“The symbol on the cover,” Mag says.
They both stare in horror.
“What is it?” I demand.
“That symbol is the same as our—” They both look down at their arms at the same moment, and Blossom falls silent.
When she looks up again, fear has edged into her expression for the first time since I’ve known her.
“Your what?” I press, not understanding.
Blossom swallows hard. “Our tattoos are gone.”
I look at her arm which is now unmarred skin rather than holding the intricate symbol that was once inked there. Then I look at Mag and find the same thing. Finally, I glance back at Paige in time to see her holding up her arm to her face and staring at the spot where her tattoo had been.
When she lowers her arm again, I see her tattoo is also gone.
“I control this library now—no one else.” Constantine’s eyes narrow on Blossom. “And that means I decide who is an intruder.”
He snaps his fingers again.
Overhead, the alarm begins to blare much louder than I’ve ever heard. The orange lights flash on and off in an emergency signal. Constantine’s keepers shift their weight, snarling and screeching at us in impatience.
“The alarm recognizes uninvited guests,” Blossom says, stubborn in her accusations.
“Precisely.” Constantine snarls. “Which is why this alarm is for you.”
She and Mag exchange a look.
Behind Constantine, the portal swirls to life again. Through it, I see a flash of movement, and then another figure steps out into the library. The gray-skinned humanoid, who is currently missing a hand, moves much slower and clumsier than the others, and I stare in confusion as it hobbles toward us.
Mag takes a tiny step backward, which makes Oliver laugh.
“You don’t want to go another round with the zombie, Mag?” Oliver taunts.
“How is that thing here?” Mag demands.
