Page 56 of Gifted Destiny

“I am here on behalf of the BSP,” he objects in a weaker voice than before. His anger has dulled, but he doesn’t appear inclined to offer more. His gaze noticeably avoids his partner’s interest.

“I have not lied,” I sigh. If I weren’t bolstered by my mates, I’d already be tired and nursing a headache. “There is no one named Brennan Addington on the premises.”

“Ms. Abrams is telling the truth, just as she did yesterday.” I’m uncertain whether Marks is talking to his partner or simply stating a fact, but his next question is clearly meant for me. “Can you describe the nature of the strange phenomenon that happened yesterday morning at eleven o’clock?” His question might be verbatim from yesterday, which explains how the BSP detectives earned their credibility.

“There was a storm,” I reply with a small shrug.

Marks nods. “And is there a weather mage within this library? Their name is secondary to their abilities at this point of the investigation.”

Although it feels childish, I cross my fingers under the desk and out of sight of everyone – even my guardians. It’s a futile plea for luck as I prepare to reveal my guardian’s abilities in the presence of a potential enemy. I am tired of the wordplay and need resolution. “I cannot say with any certainty that one of my guardians is a weather mage. However, there is a possibility that his abilities contributed to the phenomenon.”

I take a deep breath. The mellow detective’s gaze urges me to continue, and Parks’ interest renews. “For the safety of Apocrypha and all others in the vicinity, the great library has prepared a contract. This contract states that my guardian will transfer his power to the library when his magic reaches a dangerous level. This transfer should deflect any further threat of danger.” My words are truthful, but I offer no guarantees.

“I’ll need to review a copy of this contract,” Marks says. His voice remains level and calm even as the other detective tries to flay me with his gaze.

“An original,” Parks interjects abruptly with avarice in his gaze. “We cannot be assured of a copy’s authenticity.”

A shiver of warning courses down my spine, but I’m uncertain how to prevent this detective from viewing the original contract without the book. I blink, and the thick book appears on the desk in front of me. I still haven’t decided when the book pops into existence on the desk in front of me. Both detectives act as if they are accustomed to seeing objects appear and disappear, but I’ve never seen the contract book without the goblins.

Garrett and Avery know what I need without any signal from me. They each support one elbow and help me rise. For some reason, I think standing is better during whatever is aboutto happen. Adrenaline makes my heart thud loudly, and I’m surprised the shifters can’t hear it. Perhaps they can.

I won’t have the strength to support myself and lift the massive book onto the elevated counter, so I gesture to Garrett. The shifter picks the book up but hesitates before placing it on the counter. I share the nervousness thrumming along our bond. The tome is ancient and contains meticulous records of the agreements signed by every librarian and guardian in history. It’s as vital to the library as her magic.

Garrett sets the book on the counter but hovers over it. I lean forward, too, as if my presence can protect it. Avery’s steady grip on my elbow lends me emotional and physical strength. Kodi paces in the air behind us, his energy crackling with agitation. Bren might be nervous, but I’m uncertain, and the lack of his bond feels like a grave mistake.

I hold my breath. The thick cover opens, and the pages flip to the designated contract without allowing a glimpse of ink on the previous pages.

The trustworthy detective, Marks, leans forward to skim the contract, and his hands remain clasped behind his back. After several tense minutes, he nods and takes a step to the side. Detective Parks leans across the table, but his hands are not hidden.

Awareness pricks me, and I shout a warning just as the detective reaches for the book, his eyes glittering with intent. Parks snatches the massive book … and his hands clasp around nothing. The next few minutes pass faster than my brain can process it.

Parks growls with frustration when he can’t grasp the book, and his hands glow blue. Mage fire. The flames spark a fear within me that borders on post-traumatic. The bone-deep terror makes my knees weak and my breath quicken, but I can’t recall a reason for the association.

While I’m shuddering, Garrett is a blur of motion. In two steps, he uses the desk to vault his bulk over the counter and onto the detective. Beside me, Avery is growling with fangs bared. In front of me, Kodi is hovering over the book like a spectral umbrella, his body crackling with frenetic energy. Somewhere nearby, the unmistakable thud of a book hitting the floor precedes a shrill scream.

It only takes a second for all of this to happen and the library to recover. The book disappears, taking the suffocating fear with it. Kodi grunts with approval as it blinks out of sight and shoots back into the air, revealing the chaos beyond. Garrett straddles the would-be thief. The back of his neck ripples with the appearance of feathers before returning to flesh. His growl vibrates through the air.

The detective under him appears defeated and small, and his hands no longer glow. I take several deep breaths, reassuring myself that the book is safe and the fire is extinguished.

My heartbeat still races with the combined adrenaline from my mates and myself. Somewhere behind me, Bren’s power spikes in response to the near catastrophe. He hasn’t exited the small archival room, but he must be watching. Even without a mate bond, I can sense his yearning to help.

Detective Marks blinks as he processes what just happened. His expression is weary but resigned as he retrieves a length of chain from his impressive multi-pocketed belt. The metal links glow with the presence of magic. Garrett automatically shies away from them, and I feel the same instinctive aversion from a distance.

“If you’ll permit me?” Marks’ attitude isn’t subservient, but it isn’t commanding either as he stands over Garrett and his partner. My shifter mate adjusts his weight and flips the detective over as if the man weighs no more than a bag of flour. Parks doesn’t say a word.

“Detective Parks, you’re being restrained on behalf of the Bureau of Supernatural Phenomena for violating an artifact of power’s chain of custody. I hereby relieve you of your rank and magical power.”

“I didn’t want ….” The prone detective begins, his voice muffled against the floor.

“Please reserve any comments for the investigator in charge of your case,” Detective Marks interrupts. Parks opens his mouth, but Marks loops the chain around his wrists. I don’t see a clasp or lock, but the links glow and hold tight, melding together to form a tight bond. The moment the chain is secure, the former detective’s protests and attitude disappear. He doesn’t resist when Garrett hauls him to his feet unceremoniously.

After Parks is bound physically and magically, Marks turns back to me. “The contract is sufficient for the Bureau’s needs at this time, Ms. Abrams. You and your guardians are free to go about your business.”

I fall back into my chair, and only Avery’s assistance prevents it from rolling away from my graceless arrival.Bren is safe.The mantra replays like a welcomed song in the background while Marks continues.

“You have my sincerest apologies regarding the Bureau’s blatant disrespect for the library and your title. Although I needed evidence of my partner’s duplicity, I regret the distress it caused.”

I blink at his nuanced words and uncover his unspoken meaning. The Bureau’s members are supposedly incorruptible, so only incontrovertible evidence would suffice. Still, he hadn’t expected the nearly disastrous consequences.

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