Page 71 of Gifted Destiny

This isn’t the first time that Zosia has been told she’s also a mage, but it is the first time anyone has alluded to the Other. Her shock ripples through me. I haven’t fully adjusted to the link, and it blows my mind to know that Avery and Kodi feel the same. Despite the strangeness, the experience isn’t alien – sometimes, I believe my soul was created to accommodate the connection. My need for control leads me to deny outside forces like gods, fate, and destiny, but I can’t ignore the odd forces at work in our lives.

My connection to the library isn’t as natural as the mate-bond. Sage is vast and ancient, and she encompasses entire universes inside her. My earlier words to Bren weren’t hyperbole. I feel like an orphan who has been thrust into the center of an immense extended family. Comparing the bond to a family makes Bren’s absence more conspicuous. He’s the only one I considered family before arriving at Apocrypha.

“You think I might be able to make mage fire?” Zosia’s disbelief is apparent in each word she speaks.

“My darling grandchild, you could accomplish so much more than you believe. You were imprisoned, young, and alone for more than a quarter of your life. You didn’t surrender your magic despite frequent, horrible torture. In other words, you refused to betray the library despite not knowing what you were protecting. Most people can’t endure what you did even when they have a clear reason to resist. This is not just about mage fire. I believe you are capable of nearly anything you put your mind to.”

Zo’s emotions waffle between pride, disbelief, and confusion. I have difficulty discerning the reasons because Atanea’s words have reminded me thatmy fatherdid that to my mate. I’ve hated him for years, but my hostility and anger nearly consume me.

“How do you know what I went through and for how long?”

My mate’s question passes through the veil of red, but my fury continues to simmer inside me. I won’t be satisfied until Addington is no longer a threat to the people I love.

The summoned spirit projects empathy and sadness. “The Library was granted access to your memories when you were being evaluated for the librarian position. She doesn’t relay everything to us, but we were offered glimpses into your past. This is also how I knew who protected you after your mother died. The data gives her insight into your character and begins the integration of your consciousness with ours. The process is similar with your guardians. The library needs to be certain a decision is being made on the guardian’s suitability for the position and not overly affected by lust or expectation. The availability of the contract book is her symbol of approval.”

Atanea’s gaze encapsulates all of us, including Kodi. I belatedly realize that his emotions indicate he’s part of this exchange. Zosia must be broadcasting everything to him, although I’ve never heard of magic doing anything that powerful or fantastical. A summoned spirit is speaking to a ghost through a sphinx – the concept is insane.

“The five of you have withstood more suffering than any one person should endure, but your future can be free of this pain. I cannot deny you a claim to vengeance, but these motives should not adversely affect your end goal.” The older sphinx’s golden eyes, nearly absent of blue, focus upon me, and her admonishment feels like a scolding grandmother’s words. I struggle not to fidget under her regard and am relieved when her attention includes everyone again.

“Together, your group is a powerful force in a crucial moment. You will shape supernatural culture and provide a guiding light for the difficult road ahead. Soon, everyone on Gaia will realize that your world is bigger than everyone has believed.” She pauses deliberately to let our confusion sink in.

I glance at Bren, but he doesn’t appear as baffled as me. Does he know something I don’t? Is there more to our universe or our world than we’ve been told?

Although she paused, the older sphinx doesn’t invite questions. “The Western Library’s influence is equal to the Bureau’s and the shifter’s chosen alpha, although Addington wants everyone to believe he has a higher standing. The alpha before him knew how to play fair. Alongside the other Races, the Library and the BSP are meant to be neutral forces on the OSC. The western world is relying on us to keep the other races in check.” The apparition’s gaze settles on me. “This isn’t what you were told, is it?”

I shake my head but don’t offer more. I’m certain everyone here knows what Addington told me.

“The key point of this lecture is that your youth doesn’t diminish your responsibilities, influence, or power. You are a threat to anyone who seeks to claim power or corrupt the supernatural community. Once you have stripped Addington’s power from him, you can steer the supernatural community in an honorable direction.”

Each word affects us like a physical blow, even Kodi who is downstairs and Bren, who isn’t bonded. Atanea includes him as if he’s already a member of our circle, and I appreciate her consideration. It’s just a matter of time.

Atanea must sense the current of doubt in Zosia at the same time as me because her golden eyes flash and her ears twitch. “Doubt holds no place in this moment, Granddaughter. Faith is a singular force. When you doubt, you steal that force from yourmates and yourself. Hubris and humility are good traits, but you mustn’t let the uncertainty linger when you face a critical juncture.”

When Zosia doesn’t reply, Atanea flares her wings. They are huge in the small room and as beautifully shaded as my mate’s. I’m uncertain of her intent, but the display commands our attention. “It’s not in my nature to offer praise, but I’ll make an exception in your cases. Listen closely and permit my words to erase those you have heard your entire lives. Each of you is unique and powerful. Your skills belong to you and have since before you arrived at the library. Avery DuClair, born vampires have all of the advantages of their kind but none of the detriments. There is a reason why your kind never reaches maturity – you are a threat to every vampire that walks this earth. It’s my belief that your blindness has kept you alive. It permits others to underestimate you.”

Avery isn’t surprised by a single word, but I’m more appreciative of him after hearing the blunt words. The older woman’s gaze flickers to me next. “Griffins don’t usually survive outside of their family group – their drift. Hybrids are a special kind of shifter and it’s believed that they can’t mature properly or shift without support from their own kind. You, Garrett Kennard, have proven this theory incorrect. You shifted before your brother was old enough to offer support. You’ve also turned your human form into a weapon. Your body, combined with your shifter’s enhanced senses, is a formidable foe.”

I swallow hard as conflicting emotions vie for attention. I’ve never admitted how difficult my life was before Bren joined me ... I felt so alone. It might be why I cling to him so tightly and will do the same with my found family. They are my drift – griffins or not. As for the sphinx’s other point … Addington always said human forms were weak. I sought to prove him wrong in everything.

“Brennan.” The sphinx says his name thoughtfully, and her head cocks to the side with a flick of her ears. “You continuously defy the odds and impress us. You have two very rare abilities that should have detonated – either internally or externally. Not only have you managed to contain your powers, but you’ve also demonstrated remarkable control. You retain your sanity and you’ve exercised enough control to transfer your power to another entity.” Atanea shakes her head in disbelief. “Thank Destiny that you have escaped your father’s influence. He could have destroyed the universe with your powers. Instead, you will remake it.”

“He’ll what?” Zosia asks the question we all think.

“Shh. I’m not done yet,” her grandmother scolds with a hint of amusement. I recognize the old woman’s tactics. She doesn’t intend to explain her cryptic remarks.

Bren is torn between pride and confusion. Just like me, he didn’t receive enough praise as a child.

Atanea keeps her attention on Zosia, but she’s not ready to speak of my mate just yet. “This brings us to Kodi, who is listening and watching through you. I admit that you are a surprise to all of us, ghost, even Sage. Zosia has become your anchor to this world; she has given your soul a reason to remain in its current cycle. This occurrence isn’t unheard of, but you’ve taken it a step further. You manifested a corporeal form prior to the mage’s assistance. After Brennan’s contribution, you’ve achieved mastery over your physical state. An exploit of this magnitude is not documented in the chronicles of our universe or any others that we can access.”

I only have a second to note the reference to something greater than Gaia before Atanea continues.

“All of you are anomalies, but Kodi is an impossibility that can no longer be called an impossibility because the proof ishere. Kodi, you shouldn’t exist. You do, though.” She doesn’t offer any reasons why because I don’t think she knows.

“Last but not least, of course, is my precious granddaughter. I expend energy to manifest in this form and to speak, so don’t ignore what I’m about to say, Zosia Aviram Abram.”

The lines etched into the woman’s face hint at a smile while Zosia shifts her weight nervously. We surround her. Avery and I keep our hands on her back. While Bren isn’t next to her, her tail twines toward him and wraps around his ankle. Kodi is in her mind. You’d think she was getting the worst news of her life, but I understand. When praise is rare, it becomes an expectation rather than an opinion or observation.

“Granddaughter of ours, you have survived unspeakable horrors and reclaimed your destiny despite the enemy’s attempts. A part of you understands that your trauma could have immobilized you. You have not only survived, you have embraced a difficult future. Sphinxes are hybrids too; they have a tendency to turn feral without support. Your temporary amnesia might have protected you while you recovered, but it also gave your mind time to heal.”

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