Page 25 of Gifted Destiny

Zosia’s unanswered questions nag me as well. Why did Karasi refuse her birthright and the protections it offered? Did she also fear that one of her mates would break his contract?Zosia now shares this fear, but I don’t understand how any guardian could deny the bond now that I’ve experienced it. Like Atanea, I don’t believe the guardian betrayed her. However, I won’t voice my suspicions unless I find evidence.

The uniquely metallic sound of a dial tone draws my attention. I wouldn’t have recognized the sound if my childhood home hadn’t relied on outdated technology.

“Does the phone come equipped with a speaker? It might benefit all of us to hear the person’s voice.” My question is soft as I gravitate toward Zosia’s golden energy. I can’t stop touching her, but she hasn’t complained yet. The muscles in her shoulders and neck are tight with tension.

“This thing is a dinosaur,” Garrett grumbles. “But I think I got it.” The beep of depressed buttons and the mechanical trill of an answering ring herald his success.

“May I massage your shoulders?” I breathe the question into Zosia’s ear, not wishing to divert Garrett from his task.

The pulse of gratitude in her emotions is the answer I seek. Gently, my fingers coax the knots from her upper body. Her energy suggests that her pain isn’t limited to these areas, but she tends to direct stress to these muscles. As I apply pressure to her tender trigger points, she battles the distracting moans I’d love to hear.

I’d had difficulty not intervening in her earlier conversation with the shifter. Thankfully, Garrett didn’t need my assistance to overcome her objections to the offered massage. Pain isn’t normally considered an emotion, but chronic pain is different. When it’s an integral part of someone’s life, it becomes a pivotal aspect of one’s personality. The library’s struggles impact her caretaker, and this day has been particularly challenging.

Zosia’s hidden agony makes my bones ache with empathic pain. I would willingly lend her my able body in return for my freedom, but it’s not within my capabilities.

Garrett’s irritation permeates his aura as he trudges through the tedious automated prompts until he reaches the bureau. When a gruff human finally answers, all of us, including the library, strain to listen and evaluate.

Sage also fears for Zosia’s planned partner, but she can’t judge the alternate plan’s success; too many unknown variables exist. My intuition suggests that the young mage’s magic is more powerful than the library thought. She couldn’t contain the fierce storm he unleashed that morning, and creating a catastrophe of biblical proportions is not impossible.

“Bureau of Supernatural Phenomenon. How may I assist you?” The barking voice is bored and irritated but otherwise identical to the two detectives we met earlier. Answering phones during the evening shift qualifies as grunt work or punishment, and I don’t recommend trusting this man.

“I need to speak to a detective regarding an open case.” Garrett’s firm tone conveys silent authority but lacks emotion.

A heavy sigh makes the outdated connection crackle with static. “You’ll have to be more specific than that, buddy.”

The familiarizer is blatantly condescending, and Garrett’s displeasure colors his aura. Zosia’s chair jerks as she gestures, but I’m certain I don’t need to see it to interpret it.

The shifter transitions into an alpha within seconds. “Transfer me to Detective Marks.”

I nod in agreement with the request, although I’m uncertain if anyone notices.

The grunt’s answering tone conveys a marked difference. “Detective Marks’ shift is over, Sir, but I’ll transfer you to his voicemail.”

Pack dynamics have always fascinated me. Even through a phone, Garrett can use his alpha nature to elicit the response he seeks. Addington has employed this tactic for decades.

Zosia’s suspicion swings toward disappointment as calming classical music plays over the speakers. “Leaving a message seems like a bad idea.”

Garrett doesn’t have time to answer. Instead of the automated message we expect, a human answers. “You’ve reached Detective Marks.” Although eerily similar to the previous speaker, I identify the voice as the man who had spoken the most during the bureau’s visit. He’d seemed energetic during the earlier interrogation, but his voice is now burdened with bone-deep exhaustion.

“Good evening, Detective Marks. My name is Garrett Kennard. I have a few questions regarding a case you are involved in.”

“Which case?” Although the emotions are slightly altered through the mechanical connection, I sense cautious interest.

“This is my first question. Who are you working for?”

“I work for the Bureau of Supernatural Phenomenon,” Detective Marks replies with a hint of exasperation. Although his answer holds truth, the question was generic.

“Who is paying you for your investigation into Apocrypha Academy’s Hidden Library?” The thread of alpha intensity in this question is readily apparent this time. A shiver of awareness spikes through Zosia’s energy, and I try not to let it distract me. She likes his take-charge attitude despite her stubborn resistance.

“My paycheck from the bureau is the same regardless of the case.” A minuscule suggestion of injured pride bolsters my sense of satisfaction regarding the detective. Zosia nods as well, cautiously optimistic regarding Marks’ loyalty.

Garrett isn’t convinced yet. “Gossip suggests that a few detectives in your department have received bribes or blackmail threats from wealthy and influential benefactors. I need tohear you say you’re not involved before I deliver any further information.”

“My loyalty is to the mission of the BSP first, which is the safety of all Gaian citizens. I seek to protect, not to prosecute, and I’d never accept a bribe or maintain my post in the sway of blackmail.” The insinuation wounds the detective’s pride, but his affront and lack of surprise indicate that he’s aware of the rumors. His answer also offers something we hadn’t requested by implying that detectives are incentivized for convictions instead of risk mitigation.

“I appreciate your truthful answer, Detective Marks.” Although relief saturates his aura, Garrett’s tone maintains its neutrality, and I’m certain his outward appearance follows suit. The ability will be crucial when he becomes the library’s political representative.

“We met earlier today, although I didn’t offer my name today. I am one of the Hidden Library’s guardians. If we did have an atmospheric mage in our ranks, would a contract stipulating that excess magic be siphoned into the library itself be sufficient to ensure the protection of Gaian citizens?”

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