Page 60 of Saving Destiny

Bren would be a great professor if he could stay on track. While some of his explanations correlate with fictional accounts on vampires, some of it directly opposes the knowledge I have. He’s right that asking the library for more information might be the best place to start. “That’s the third floor, right?”

Garrett grunts. “Damn. Listen to us acting all librarian-like.” His joke draws a smile for me. I never would have chosen this for a career, but I don’t dislike it. I loved to read when I was alive, but Zo cultivated my hunger for fiction at a young age. I didn’t read enough until she came along and begged me to read to her because she couldn’t have books inside her cell. She preferred my reading anyway, because it provided calm contact with another person. I could never say no to her. When she fell asleep to the sound of my voice, I took the book to my sister and continued reading. She couldn’t talk, but I swore I saw her smile a couple times. I knew she enjoyed the stories. All three of us had needed the escape from our lives.

However, this isn’t a normal library and we are not normal library workers. We play an important and crucial role guarding one of the world’s supernatural wonders. There were only six of them according to the OSC, and the two libraries are included on the list.

“So it went well?” Bren asks. I have no idea what he’s talking about until he continues. “You said you flickered in and out, but you only watched?”

“I don’t feel right giving you a play-by-play, but yes. I could touch Zo when I was solid, but it’s uncomfortable for her to touch me when I’m a ghost, so I couldn’t maintain the contact. I kept shifting back and forth. Avery put her needs first and he was sweet and gentle, which isn’t surprising because that’s how he is. Zo didn’t need to worry about her legs, which everyone but her knew. She can’t do every position, but she manages. She even overcame her self-consciousness and asked Sage for a mirror on the ceiling so Avery could see her.” I shake my head with disbelief. “She never would have done that a month ago. She hates anyone seeing her legs.”

Garrett listens to every word, but he’s picked up a heavy dumbbell to occupy his hands. “You all right, big man?” I ask him pointedly, but my words don’t have any bite. I sympathize with him. It’s not natural for me to consider anyone’s feelings but Zo’s, but it gets easier every day I’m here.

The shifter and the vampire saved me from being drained. They’d also potentially saved the world because I was an idiot and left the library in danger. I didn’t stop and think. I’d just been impulsive. I’d like to think I know better now. I’m starting to accept that I’m dead and my death was for a good cause. That good cause might eventually balance my life’s evil deeds.

“I’m struggling – human and shifter,” Garrett grumbles reluctantly. He isn’t used to sharing his emotions, but he wants to be different from his father. Addington would never admit to a weakness like his eldest son just did. “My human mind is trying to understand the concept of multiple partners. Most supernaturals only have one mate, although there are exceptions. Griffins only have one. Fae never take a mate because they don’t believe in being beholden to one person; they’re naturally promiscuous like most vamps. Mages resemble the magicless the most, although I’ve heard it varies depending on culture.”

He takes a deep breath and lifts the weight again. “My beast is pure primal instinct. He wants to shelter and protect his mate, which is difficult when she’s with another man because he senses a threat. He’s starting to understand you are more pack than a threat, but he probably won’t be sure of that until she bonds with you three. He seemed to calm down when he saw Avery’s mate mark on her sphinx form.”

I frown. “You speak like your shifter is separate from you.”

“That’s the way almost all shifters are,” Bren says. “Only special hybrids like Zosia feel one with their beast.” He studies me. “I thought you knew that.”

“Maybe I knew that? I was around many shifters growing up, but those memories don’t feel real sometimes. It can be hard to separate memory from fantasy when they feel like dreams, or something I read in a book, or watched on a screen. Is your beast Zo’s fated mate? Is that why he’s so upset?” I ask Garrett.

“Yes,” he sighs. “I knew it the moment I saw her or the moment my beast smelled her. When she’s a sphinx, I have to wrestle my griffin for control.”

“But do you like her as a human?” I sound defensive, but I’m insulted on Zosia’s behalf. If Garrett’s animal is separate from him, could his human mind dislike his beast’s mate?

“He has to or it can’t happen,” Bren interjects. “The human has to agree on a fundamental level in order for their beast to accept their mate. Also,fatedgenerally means both human and beast are meant to be.”

I don’t stop glaring at Garrett. I don’t want a history lesson or a theoretical answer; I need his answer. I might also be half-shifter. I have a beast inside me that possesses the fierce need to protect her. It makes its needs known at a primal level that defies rational thought.

“Yes, you stubborn ghost, my human brain likes her. She’s the exact opposite of every woman Addington shoved at me when I was growing up. The women he selected for Bren and me were rich, entitled, fake, spoiled brats. Zosia isn’t perfect and doesn’t act like she is, which appeals to me. She’s humble and modest but not weak. She’s strong. Addington would never approve. While I admit that the thought is satisfying, I admire her courage more. I also think she’s beautiful.” His gaze meets mine. “Does that answer your question? The jealousy is difficult, but it fades more every day. My beast won’t let you watch, though, especially not the first time. He’ll want her all to himself.”

My lips slowly curve into a smile. “That’s Zo’s choice as much as yours. She definitely wanted me there this time, and Avery says he shares well.” I shrug, deliberately provoking his beast. “She’s said more than once that her bed is big enough for all five of us.”

Garrett growls. It sounds suspiciously feline, and I share a look with Bren. “We’ll see about that,” the shifter hisses. “I don’t care what the four of you do together, but it will be just her and me when it’s time. I can’t bear the thought of the vampire’s teeth in her, much less the sight.”

My expression immediately sobers because I share his irritation. I didn’t like seeing Avery bite her either; it looked and felt like a threat. Zo had liked it, though, judging by the ecstasy on her face. The vampire also didn’t bite too hard to drink too much. Still, I’ve seen pictures of blood slaves. While Zo is too powerful to be enthralled, but imagining her with glazed eyes and a blank expression disturbs me. I’d subtly checked her neck after she’d fallen asleep, and I couldn’t even tell where the vamp bit her. It makes me wonder if she’ll wake up with a mate mark like we expect her to.

“So … how’s the future looking?” I ask Bren when silence falls and a subject change seems necessary. I don’t envy his ability to see the future, and I’m not surprised that it makes him a little crazy. Seeing events that could happen would drive anyone insane.

Bren frowns. “I’m trying to ignore them, but they keep barging in. I’ve tried to find a way to stop them, but they always come back. After what Finatan told me, though, I feel like they don’t matter. I’ve started to look for patterns, like events or people that are consistent in every vision, and signs of meddling, but I’m not having much success. The near future isn’t as unclear as the far future, though. Tomorrow, the library will open like we expect. Ansel will visit and he might be given the choice to become a gargoyle. He’ll probably say yes because he’s already wholly devoted to the library and ….” His voice trails off as he frowns.

Garrett and I share a glance, but Bren continues before we can say anything. “The next Supernatural Council meeting will take place soon, and Garrett will likely attend on our behalf. You need to be fully bonded before you go, though. It’s not safe for you, the library, or us if you aren’t. You’ll need to be strong, brother.”

“Be strong before being bonded? After? Why?” Garrett fires the questions with rapid speed. I get the sense that Bren rarely gives anyone a glimpse into the future. Why is he doing it now?

Bren shakes his head, making his hair fall into his eyes. “No, it’s not that. Representing the library is going to be brutal and every council meeting will be a battle. Addington and Walthers have corrupted half of the board members and a full purge is necessary. In order to accomplish anything good, the bad must be undone, but they’ve been in power for over twenty years. That entire time was filled with evil deeds, and some of it can’t be undone. That’s going to be hard for you to accept. I know you have no desire to be a politician, but you’ve prepared for it to overthrow Addington. You’ll need that preparation.”

Garrett nods, but the warning makes him appear older than he is. We’d be the same age if I’d lived, but I wouldn’t take a second chance at life if it required me to switch positions with him. Navigating bribes and corruption plotted by powerful men born with a silver spoon in their mouth sounds worse than anything I endure as a ghost. I also can’t imagine Zo handling the job very well, and I’m grateful to Garrett for accepting the burden.

“We need allies,” Bren mutters so quietly that I strain to hear him. “We need to find out which delegates are loyal to Addington and which aren’t, preferably before the first board meeting.”

I sigh but no air comes with it. “Isn’t that impossible if we can’t leave?” I ask.

“I wonder if ….” Bren trails off again, but he does it while he’s staring at me. His pale gaze is unnerving, even though I don’t think he’s actually seeing me.

Several minutes pass in silence before I glance at Garrett. He wipes his hands on his towel before approaching his brother and poking him in the shoulder. Bren almost topples off of the exercise ball, but he stops his fall at the last second. His balance must be excellent.

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