Page 93 of Gifted Destiny

“What are you talking about?” Walthers replies, snapping at the bait like an ignorant fish. His gaze darts to the entrance of the library and back. “And how did you get caught so quickly? You just left ….”

The gargoyles raise a cry at that moment, and Zosia’s head whips around. Her body follows so swiftly that her lame leg nearly buckles beneath her. “Intruder,” she whispers with wide eyes.

“Take him.” Garrett shoves our imposter at the detective who snaps the restraints onto the man so swiftly that I’m impressed. Then we are both running back into the library, barely noticingthat the doors open for us. My canines descend for battle. Who dares to threaten my mate? My library? Crimson wrath taints my borrowed vision as I prepare for battle.

Kodi is no longer in the foyer. His voice calls us to the ninth floor. I tap into my vampire strength as Zosia takes to the air. Behind me, Garrett’s aura changes as he shifts into his griffin.

The increased pace of my heartbeat accompanies my swirling thoughts. I’m almost positive that our intruder is the original Addington. Did he truly portal into the library? How? And did Cronos and J knowingly present a distraction?

I force the questions away to concentrate on the only thing that matters – protecting my mate. She represents the purpose and dictates the direction of this lifetime. If anything happens to her, I will burn this world to the ground. I won’t fail in my oath to keep her safe and I won’t allow that man to hurt anyone again; it’s time to settle the score. Once Addington is truly subdued, we can redirect our focus and address the unfamiliar.

Chapter 43

Zosia

Ican’t think about anything but reaching the intruder before he does something irreversible. Our real nemesis has breached the library’s defenses, and the thought of him inside my sanctuary creates a well of fiery anger within my chest. This is my turf – my home – and he doesn’t belong here.

As I spring into the air, my sphinx senses warn me of another beast. He isn’t one I need to fear however. I don’t have the time or wherewithal to appreciate Garrett’s griffin form, however.

The library tells me how the man got inside, although Sage still doesn’t speak to me with words. Instead, the knowledge arrives as an understanding. Books represent a core part of my identity and purpose, and this asshole has used one against me for the last time. The spell within the false book could have killed any of my guardians, but it’s also provided him a path into the library.

Although Addington is a threat anywhere in our library, we must prevent him from accessing the tenth floor. Any of the valuable relics or books there could cause irreparable damage and destruction.

Relief nearly weakens my legs when I clear the railing and survey the situation at the base of the stairs leading to thetenth floor. My vampire and ghost move swiftly and form a barrier between the intruder and the stairs. Their presence is a secondary defense, however. Behind my avenging mates is a formidable wall of bricks. The tenth floor doesn’t exist. It’s just an illusion to me, but the anger radiating off Addington suggests that he sees it differently.

Is this why the library has been so quiet? Her silence might not have been more preparation than incapacitation.

I land behind the trespasser who bristles with indignation and righteous anger. My increased proximity reveals that the man’s clothes are soaked with sweat and his muscles are shaking. Is he battling the library’s magical defenses? Or is she suffering from the cost of the spell that allowed him entry? The reason for his weakness doesn’t really matter, but I still wonder.

A gust of air ruffles my feathers as the griffin lands next to me. He’s much larger than my sphinx, but not as large as I first thought him to be. I’m still surprised he’s managed to fly within the building. It requires considerable effort to focus on our prey rather than him.

Addington’s body automatically moves so that his back is against the wall and we’re bracketing him on either side. Avery moves subtly but purposefully to face him and block his escape in every direction.

“It’s a family reunion,” Addington snarls when Bren steps onto the landing. The book that we’d left unguarded is tucked under his arm, and the sight of it rekindles my anger. Kodi had checked on it before we met with the detective, but he hadn’t reported any changes. I don’t blame my ghost, though. He’s not adept at seeing magic.

The library prompts me wordlessly again. Now that I’ve bonded with all of my mates, she doesn’t need to use words. Over time, it will become more difficult to separate her wishes from mine.

“How did you get inside?” I demand. My sharp teeth are on full display and Avery mirrors me. His canines taper into needle-like points and crimson bloodlust has overtaken the silver color of his eyes. Biting this man should be a last resort, though. His blood is probably foul.

Addington faces me boldly, presenting a bored and unconcerned air despite his physical appearance. His step toward me is answered by Garrett. The sharp beak snaps inches away from Addington’s face. It’s a warning strike, but it carries a deadly message. The griffin could mortally wound this man. I want to assume that the alpha can’t shift within these walls, but I won’t wager on the assumption.

The bird’s head retreats to the cat’s body as swiftly as it attacked, but our prey growls with anger. “Don’t forget who gave you life, boy,” he growls.

The griffin chuffs, conveying righteous disbelief, and Bren matches him. “Irrelevant,” my mage scoffs with blunt derision. “You might have contributed to our existence, but our lives and reason for living belong to Zosia now.”

Bren’s controlled anger, clear expression, and the lack of a quote to convey his emotions surprise Addington. Although the man tries to maintain a lack of reaction, I can smell it and see the muscle ticking in his jaw. The griffin beside me ruffles his wings thumps his tail in a clear affirmative. He stares at the alpha shifter with an unblinking, piercing gaze.

“How did you get inside?” My words are short and measured. I want this man gone, but I need answers first.

“I had some assistance,” Addington responds. His projected calm is too much of a show to be entirely real. “Success requires knowing the right people.”

“Did Cronos assist you?”

Addington’s eyes flash briefly; I sense anger and a spark of betrayal. Although I’ve sent Avery brief mental images ofAddington’s position, I hope he’s also utilizing his unique sight to decipher our prey’s emotions and intentions.

“I assisted Cronos.”

“What did you give them? What do they really want?” My voice remains deceptively casual, preventing my desire to know from leaking into my tone.

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