Page 70 of Gifted Destiny

My grandmother’s wings droop again. “My limited understanding suggests that you can’t destroy the book or the spell without destroying the soul. My guardian has been lost for many decades, and I must resign myself to the idea that he’ll remain so. We believe that a slim thread of his former soul remains untouched. We fear that this shred prevents Sage from destroying the book because she can’t harm a guardianwho hasn’t betrayed her. It’s also possible that this element of purity is also preventing former damage. This trace of his former self must be weary; it will be impossible to preserve.” My grandmother’s tone is resigned, and I imagine she’s been preparing for this eventuality since her death.

“What about the goblins? Are they assisting Sage?” I ask when I realize she hasn’t mentioned them.

“Yes and no,” Atanea replies vaguely. “Their attentions are diverted. The near loss of the contract book has affected them. Sage doesn’t possess a physical form, so the goblins are responsible for guarding the contract book. This text is considered themagni momenti liber.It’s vital to the library and crucial to the goblins’ creation. Without it, they don’t exist. Also, the bookworms have returned.”

Kodi snorts through the mental link.“So, the goblins are having an existential crisis while they fight the bookworms,”he says.

“The timing is circumspect,” Avery murmurs. I believe he’s referring to the bookworms, and he raises a good point. The little demons’ attacks might have been triggered by the false book or the detective.

“The contract book is okay, though?” My question is fearful and cautious. It will be my fault if it’s not. The text is an intrinsic part of the library and so are the goblins. Their existence has been spent alongside my ancestors, and the ones I’ve met are kind and gentle.

“It is unharmed. All of you, including Sage, acted quickly enough to protect it.”

I nod. So, I only have one spell to destroy – one that will probably extinguish my long-lost grandfather’s soul. The poor man has been fighting for the library since his untimely capture. If he has any awareness, I’m certain he misses his mate as profoundly as she misses him.

And … I still lack instructions. Although the summoning has provided information, I don’t feel that much has changed. I will be known throughout history asThe Sphinx that Destroyed Gaia’s Western Hidden Library.

Chapter 32

Garrett

The newly forged bond between Zosia and I sends a spike through my chest the second she loses hope. Although I want to mope alongside her, I refuse to admit defeat. I slide into the space that opened between Bren and my mate and place my hand on her back. Mine looks large and blocky compared to Avery’s nearly translucent skin and long, tapered fingers. We couldn’t appear more dissimilar, but we offer the same comfort.

“It’s not hopeless,” I tell my mate in the gentlest voice I can conjure. Gentleness has never been one of my strengths.

Bren joins us, but he feels more aloof and distant without the bond. He brought me to the library and Zosia, he’s been speaking about her for years, and he loved her before we met her. Like the alpha I am, though, I pushed into her bed before him. It’s not something I could ever regret. Still, his absence in our tightly woven circle grows more noticeable with each new event and revelation.

“Of course it isn’t hopeless,” the older sphinx snaps.

I like her. She combines compassion and love with a commanding, no-nonsense attitude. Also, because I’m a shallow creature, I see that Zosia will always be beautiful if she ages halfas gracefully as her grandmother did. Atanea’s form is clearly different than Kodi’s is. The ghost gives the impression that he’s a growing, maturing entity, but Atanea’s consciousness is an echo of life. My observations are just that, however; I’m not a ghost expert.

“I wouldn’t have answered your call if I thought it was pointless.” Atanea sighs heavily, her gaze traveling to the photo of herself between the two creatures’ paws. “My guardians and I made peace with Agustin’s absence many years ago. Now, we can honor his sacrifice.”

The older sphinx looks up from the photo and trains her steely gaze on my mate. I’m proud that Zosia doesn’t shrink away from the intensity in her grandmother’s gaze. “As for you, Granddaughter, the rest is not lost. You are powerful, and you have chosen powerful guardians. The only way you will fail is if you try to accomplish this alone.”

Zosia’s feathers ruffle against my leg. She is absorbing her grandmother’s wisdom, but she doesn’t believe it yet.

“Trust in the library, dear one. Epochs of supernaturals, far more than any human alive remembers, have encapsulated their knowledge within these walls. She has never failed our ancestors either. Her silence might be disheartening, but never doubt that she is fighting alongside you. We, the collective of sphinxes and all of our loyal guardians, are positive that she is formulating a plan. As for the spell book? A blast of mage fire from someone bound to the library should strip the text down to its essentials and eliminate the threat.”

I gape at her, and I believe Zosia mimics my expression. Was this conversation necessary if the answer was that simple? My mate reminds me that it isn’t that simple.

“But none of us can produce mage fire,” Zosia protests.

The regal sphinx lifts an eyebrow and the ear matching it twitches in tandem. “There are two mages within this room andall mages can produce a spark of mage fire. The library will increase its destructive ability and help control the blaze.”

“But I can’t … I don’t …,” my brother stutters his argument alongside Zosia’s – although the sphinx’s is less certain. Her range of capabilities is still a mystery.

“If you’ve never done it before, you’ve never tried,” Atanea counters.

Bren’s expression of dubious skepticism causes the old sphinx to huff and shake her wings. She’s less substantial than Kodi, but the motion isn’t entirely non-threatening. “You’ve created lightning. Is it different to fire?”

I fight the urge to snap at the old woman. I’m worried that her forceful nature will remind Bren too much of Addington and make my brother shut down. I’m distracted by the thoughts the woman’s words conjure. Our unwanted sire always focused on my brother’s wild magic, focusing on Bren’s inability to control his destructive tendencies. Did Addington intentionally ignore mage fire because he was worried that my brother might threaten him with them? The flames of magic are a sly weapon, easily controlled and contained.

When Bren doesn’t respond, I glance toward him. His brow is creased with concentration, not distress, and I realize he must be comparing lightning to fire. Are they different? Lightning can cause a fire, but it’s not fire itself … right?

The puzzle makes my head ache, and I’m suddenly grateful that I’m here – in the library instead of attending academic classes like I’d planned. Formal education, reading, and studying have always been my least favorite activities, but I’d chosen to brave them to get revenge. The degree was always a means to an end, but destinations can be reached via different paths. I prefer my current path, even if it is fraught with difficulty.

“And you,” the old woman continues, “are a sphinx.” The look she pins on Zosia is fierce and loving, with each emotion clearly equal. “You didn’t have a proper upbringing, but you are still our granddaughter. Sphinxes can’t be placed into just one of Apocrypha’s fancy houses. We are shifters, yes, but we’re also mages with a touch ofOther.”

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