Page 98 of Gifted Destiny

I inhale, and the scent of ink, leather, and old parchment fills my nostrils. Books have always filled me with trepidation and a sense of inferiority because of my learning disability. Now, I consider them an opportunity. Outside of here, I am judged by my physical abilities and shifter status. I am more than that, though, and I can learn and grow in every way while I’m here.

I owe everything to my brother and the sphinx I never knew I needed until I met her. She still has occasional doubts regarding her worth, but we will convince her. The arrival of Cronos indicates our troubles aren’t over yet, but we will succeed together.

Chapter 45

Zosia

Ibarely slept last night. My body should burn with pain and fatigue, but it doesn’t. I also don’t despise my physical form as much as I have in the past. Kodi had difficulty understanding my annoyance because he couldn’t remember having a body, but it only provided pain and frustration. My guardians have taught me that my body can also give me pleasure, and my sphinx’s magic lessens the ache of my old injuries.

I can live like this.

The thought surprises me because I typically don’t think about the future. When I did, they weren’t happy or hopeful thoughts. This has all changed.

I look at my men and briefly forget everything we still have to do. They are all different and the same in unique ways. Each one is beautiful, powerful, and blessed with a distinct personality.

“What are you thinking about, princess?” Kodi’s voice is sly. I doubt he’ll ever grow up, but it’s okay. Avery’s and Garrett’s more serious natures temper my best friend’s immaturity.

I manage not to blush this time when each of my gorgeous mates turns their attention toward me. This time, my control isn’t due to my sphinx form. I’ve finally accepted that they acceptme as I am. My insecurities and doubts become lighter after every trial we endure together.

“I was thinking that I am happy you all are who you are,” I tell them. “I know that might not make sense, but ….”

“I understand and agree,” Garrett interjects when I struggle for words. “That other woman wasn’t you, no matter how much she looked like you. I’ll never be grateful that you were injured, but we work together better because you are who you are.”

“Exactly.” I sigh with relief that he understands. The emotions of the others indicate they feel similarly. I absorb this truth for a few seconds before turning my gaze toward the abandoned tome of military history.

“Unfortunately, this horribly long day isn’t over yet. How are you feeling, Bren? Do you think you can cast mage fire or are you all magicked out?”

Kodi mutters about imaginary words while Bren’s lips twitch. “I am not magicked out. I actually feel balanced for the first time in memory. Mage fire won’t be an issue …. But are you still inclined to save Agustin’s soul?”

“Is it still trapped?” I can’t tell for certain, and I’m worried that Addington’s touch and portal magic might have negative effects on my grandmother’s captive mate.

Kodi nods, but Avery explains. “The book no longer feels malevolent, and the magic spells are spent. Addington probably retained it because he wanted the soul as a hostage because it seems useless otherwise.”

“Sounds like him,” Garrett grunts. His powerful body is relaxed as he leans against the wall of the landing, but I see his griffin every time I look at him. The awe I experienced while in his beast’s presence is something I doubt I’ll ever be able to explain. I’d also never felt more in tune with my animal side; his shifted form coaxed it forward.

“I might be able to hold onto the spirit,” Kodi murmurs slowly and quietly, which is out of character for him. He shrugs sheepishly when our surprised gazes turn to him. “I’ve been around the book since I found it. I’m familiar with the shape of Agustin’s soul now.”

“Souls have shapes?” I ask curiously.

“Well, not really,” Kodi amends. “It’s more like I can separate his soul from the book. Like Bren said earlier, he’s nearly faded. He might only be holding onto the slim chance that he’ll be reunited with his mate. At least, that’s how I’d feel if I were him.” Kodi’s intense gaze rests on me, and they flicker with color as he regains solidity for a few more seconds. The switch from monotone gray to turquoise makes his eyes appear brighter. “When the Timekeeper refused to answer any more questions about her employer, I asked about spirits.”

“Perhaps you’re not so useless after all.” The appreciation in Garrett’s tone softens the sting in his words. I don’t approve of the way they speak to each other, but both were raised by men who suffered from extreme cases of toxic masculinity. I’ll ignore their verbal sparring until feelings start getting hurt or resentment builds. We could use an in-house therapist, but that’s a concern for another day.

“And you’re not always just a muscle-bound idiot,” Kodi rejoins.

“What did she say? The Timekeeper?” I ask in an attempt to make them refocus. My instincts tell me that delivering this soul is important.

“She isn’t human, I think,” Kodi replies with a frown. “I don’t know how she gets her information or if she has any opinions that might affect that knowledge.”

I nod. “I agree. I have so many questions regarding her existence, but let’s focus on the soul and spirits.”

“Right. She actually confirmed reincarnation, saying that souls are recycled endlessly. Souls don’t just hang around and turn into spirits. The unfinished business is mostly bullshit. If a soul has unfinished business, it supposedly handles it in its next life. This is why my existence confused her so much. After a little more prying, she said that she thinks the libraries’ caretakers are a little different. The libraries might hold onto the souls that watch over them.”

“But what does this have to do with you? You weren’t a guardian before you died.” I prod when Kodi trails into thought. The idea of the library retaining souls makes sense. Atanea and the other sphinxes wouldn’t be here if that wasn’t true, and Grandmother had implied that her other guardians’ souls were with her.

“She thought I might have been,” Kodi replies with another shrug. “Sure, there was no contract and neither of us had any idea who you were or what the library was, but the intention might have been there. That intention didn’t let me slip away after I died. If I can find the intention between Atanea and Agustin, I might be able to hold onto it.”

Kodi hovers back to the book, incorporeal again. “Souls are like books,” he theorizes. “Every incarnation begins a new chapter, but the same characters and themes can appear throughout the book. What the characters do in the early chapters influences the events in later chapters. Souls submitted to the library are different, though. They – we, I guess – are like the contracts in the contract book. We might have originated in other books, but once we’ve been bound into the library’s book, we remain there.”

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