Page 15 of Gifted Destiny

“Please allow me to protect you. I cannot undo the last seven years, but I will try to make up for it for the next one hundred and more years.” His pleading tone and gaze almost make me reconsider forgiving him.

Zo releases Bren to reach for Ansel’s hand. His words must have moved her as much as they did me. “I understand why you did what you did. If I’d been in the magical community, I would have been found and Kodi would have been tethered. You weren’t entirely absent either because the caretaker always sent me away to avoid the supernatural sweeps. You’re alsothe mysterious benefactor who supplied me with the orthopedic shoes, the wheelchair, and my crutches each time I needed new ones.”

Ansel nods shyly when Zosia waits for confirmation before continuing. “I believe you did what you could. Most children think their parents know everything, but we’re all just humans, and humans fail. Some are truly evil ….” She doesn’t need to look at the brothers or me; we know the monsters that raised us. “Most try their best, though. I appreciate that you did what you could.”

Zosia lays out her case like a skilled lawyer. After her defense, Ansel looks like a saint compared to Shawnessy or Addington. The angry teenager inside me is still belligerent, but my anger is more at myself than Ansel. I died to save her and thought my sacrifice should have given her a beautiful life. The two situations shouldn’t be compared, though. Mother Mary and the orphanage was a droning gnat, and Addington’s dungeon was a malaria-infested mosquito. If the library was off-limits until she turned nineteen, it’s true that the magicless world offered the best protection.

If Ansel becomes a gargoyle, at least he’s still around to pay for his crimes. If we find out that he lied about anything, he’s still within reach. I consider the similarities between Ansel’s impending servitude and my current existence. Is that why I’m still around? So I can be punished for my crimes? Or is it like Zosia said – that my death and the current situation are suitable punishment? She believes that I’ve paid the ultimate price for the horrors I’d been forced to commit as a child.

I understand Ansel’s single-minded desire to serve the library after he dies. I’ve only ever wanted to be with Zosia and protect her – alive or dead.

Chapter 9

Zosia

Ansel’s decision is firm despite my warnings, which means that the next step is determining parentage. While I might be better off staying ignorant, the unknowing will nag me forever.

A tiny piece of me longs for the boring life I had at the orphanage, but it’s only because I’m exhausted. I’d love to spend three days curled up in bed with a book, but non-stop action and problems have overwhelmed me since I arrived. I’ve dealt with them one at a time, hoping that each resolution will gradually simplify my day-to-day routine.

The gargoyles are fascinating. Whenever I borrow their sight to see the library’s exterior, it’s like looking through a telescope. They seem like tools, but they are capable of some independent thought. Similar to the goblins, they belong to the library and can’t survive beyond her boundaries. As the librarian, I’m now responsible for their well-being. Kodi is still angry on my behalf or wary of Ansel, but we need a new gargoyle to replace one that has requested retirement. The older shifter is the best candidate for many reasons.

Tremayne has proven incredibly helpful already, and we haven’t even addressed the reason he came. I turn my attentiontoward him after confirming Ansel’s decision. “You have the ability to determine paternity with magic? Although it’s not a necessity, knowing my biological father will be one less question in my mind.”

Tremayne nods, but I sense hesitancy. “I can do so, but ….” He sighs and strokes his beard again. “I feel a need to warn you. Jonathan Addington courted your mother with single-minded determination. She rejected him, but the alpha shifter isn’t known for his honorable behavior.” He glances to either side of me – to Addington’s biological sons.

My mind immediately denies the possibility, and I shake my head violently. My guardians react with simultaneous disgust and refusal. Kodi pretends to gag, but it’s obviously a dramatic representation. Garrett bolts to his feet so quickly that the library swiftly acts to catch the chair he flings away from him. It skids a foot away instead of flying into the air.

“Impossible,” the shifter states firmly. “If Zosia were my biological sister, my beast wouldn’t consider her his mate.” His words emerge as half-speech and half-growl.

The shifter’s fierce reaction startled me, causing me to lean into his brother. Belatedly, I realize he’s shaking. I look for blue sparks, afraid the atmospheric mage’s magic is in danger of exploding. When I hear his mostly silent chuckles, I realize he’s laughing.

“My farseeing ability might be unpredictable and occasionally wrong, but I don’t think it would leave out anything that important.”

I don’t find the possibility amusing, but Bren’s reactions aren’t always what I suspect. Avery’s emotions indicate dismissal, and I wonder which brother he agrees with. I decide to follow his example and refuse it until I know the truth.

“Forgive me. I didn’t realize that your beast marked Zosia as your fated mate. You are correct that he would have realized thefamilial connection.” Tremayne’s words are contrite after our dramatic reactions. He probably forgot that we’re still young and immature. The possibility of being attracted to one’s sibling – or half-sibling – is unacceptable.

The shifter doesn’t resume his seat, and his vibrating tension indicates that his human side needs confirmation.

“Let’s just do this,” I say quickly. “Actually, wait. Can you tell who it is if it’s not Ansel?”

Tremayne studies me, and I mentally applaud my ability to maintain my calm. This discovery will be a huge revelation, but I’m no longer a child; the knowledge won’t be life-changing. The library and my chosen guardians are my home and family now.

“Not exactly, but I can determine the supernatural type – be it shifter, mage, vampire, or Fae. For a name, I’d need to compare your energy to theirs. A fraction of each supernatural’s energy passes into their offspring, creating a unique signature. Like strands of DNA, each type of supernatural has certain characteristics.”

My boundless curiosity pushes aside my emotions to focus on the facts. “Earlier, you said that you can also measure a supernatural’s strength. Is this the same premise? It might be a rude question, but I want to understand.”

Tremayne’s grin is hidden under his beard, but the smile lines bracketing his eyes convey the emotion. “I am not offended. Shifters are touchier about this particular question because an answer classifies them as predator or prey. Your assumption is correct; an individual’s energy signature provides me with a rudimentary idea of a mage’s strength and affinity. I can evaluate and manipulate magical energy to some degree. It’s a rare aptitude and I’ve never met anyone who has the skill. The children I sired didn’t inherit it either. The ability has offered me a greater insight into magic, and I teach others what I can. I don’t think the skill should be hoarded.”

The old man’s gaze drifts to Kodi. “My affinity might be why I’m so interested in studying your spiritual energy. Your signature shares a foundation with the signatures I study, but there are very distinct differences. In all my years, I’ve never met or heard of a spirit that has managed to retain some semblance of life for so long after death. You are one of a kind, Kodi.”

While my best friend preens at the praise, an abstract idea occurs to me. What if my magic hasn’t been completely dormant these last seven years?

“He’s certainly one of a kind,” Garrett scoffs. The shifter hasn’t retaken his seat, and his gruff tone reminds Tremayne and me that we are getting sidetracked.

Tremayne clears his throat. “Of course. Are you ready, Librarian?”

The emphasis on my title reminds me that I’ve come a long way from the needy orphan I used to be. While this finding is important, it no longer alters the course of my life or defines my identity. I nod and place my trembling hands on my lap.

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