Page 92 of Gifted Destiny

“Uncle?” Garrett echoes as I round the circulation desk again and join the others.

“By marriage only. He married into Brennan’s mother’s family shortly before Brennan’s birth.”

“What of my mother … where you were? Here, you are still married to her.” Bren’s voice is curious but lacks any emotional investment in his birth family. He’s simply gathering information, as he has been doing since the Timekeeper appeared.

“She attempted to keep Brennan when I refused to marry her. She wasn’t fit to be a mother, however, and was easily dissuaded with the promise of money. I didn’t associate with any of her family because they were only interested in climbing the social ladder.”

“This is something our father is interested in too,” Garrett says smoothly. “If it’s not you, who is the Eastern Territory’s Alpha Shifter in your world?” Garrett’s tone is confused, but hesays world – not timeline – and I wonder if we’ve all reached the same conclusion regarding Cronos’ subterfuge.

“Alpha Shifter? There’s no such role. A counsel oversees the supernaturals, and it’s a carefully controlled organization. Cronos doesn’t allow individual factions to form leadership. I believe they feared one would overpower another.”

The more we learn about Cronos, the more our collective surprise grows. Why haven’t we heard of them? The answer might provide a clue to defeating them.

“If I contact you with questions regarding Cronos while you’re detained, will you answer them?” Zosia asks.

J’s hesitation saturates the air. “No,” he finally replies but a twinge of pain precedes an explanation. I assume Garrett is holding his arms behind his back for display only – such restraint doesn’t prevent a shifter from shifting. “I want to,” he clarifies, “but I fear retribution. I am only saying so much now because I believe Cronos can’t see or hear inside these walls. I have nothing to substantiate that belief, but this library’s magic is strong. I think their secretive operations indicate this library is a threat to them.”

His words substantiate my theory, but I don’t say anything. It’s better to let him speak.

“So you’re a coward?” Garrett growls.

The shiver in J’s aura indicates a headshake or shrug. “Perhaps, but your lives might become more difficult if they knew I was offering you their secrets.”

Kodi, who was sent to check on the magical book, snorts loudly. “Because our lives are not already difficult,” he remarks with heavy sarcasm.

“My mate has a point,” Zosia says as we push the front doors open.

She’s still in her sphinx form, but I don’t sense any pain along the link. The fatigue and discomfort that plagued her before shecompleted her last bond has all but disappeared. I don’t think any of us realized how much the missing bond was affecting her or we might have worried more about its completion.

“Knowledge is power, and I maintain that we are in greater danger without it.” Zosia’s voice rings with confidence. She is finally starting to believe in herself, and her confidence suffuses her aura with golden light. “Don’t let your concerns for us halt the flow of information.” Her suggestion isn’t without a wry irony that we all share. None of us thought she’d say these words to Addington. It’s as if the world has turned upside down.

I’ve given many thanks that I didn’t encounter my double during our strange journey. The people sharing Zosia’s and the brothers’ names had been strangers to me. Just like Addington, I wouldn’t have believed they were the same person without the ability to see. G had been a weak imitation of my fellow guardian, B had lacked any spark of substance or magic, and the other Zosia …. I barely refrain from shuddering at the memory. I never would have chosen Z as my mate. My Zosia shines as brightly as the sun, but Z had emitted a vague glow darkened with jealousy, spite, and superficial worries. She’d also been devoid of magic.

The sun has warmed the marble foyer all afternoon and retains its heat. J waits until we have passed through the doors before he responds. “Very well. I know Karasi would want me to help you as much as possible. I don’t know that I can tell you much more, but we should communicate via handwritten missives. Eavesdropping and tracking electronic messages are easy for Cronos, but letters might pose more of a difficulty.”

Garrett blows out a heavy sigh that indicates his disbelief, but he’s not the only one with the emotion. No amount of time around this double could reconcile his actions with the man we know. It’s difficult for me, but it must be nearly impossible forthe brothers. “You said earlier that you can play the part. It’s time to act,” the shifter grunts.

While J prepares himself, Zosia speaks through our mental link.“I still don’t trust this man and definitely not Walthers. Remain on guard. No one should leave the steps. Kodi …. ”A mental sigh accompanies the name.

“Yeah, yeah,”the ghost interjects.“I’ll watch from here. I’m not going to risk being tethered again. I have something to look forward to now.”His desire leaves no ambivalence regarding the nature of his optimism. Zosia’s amused embarrassment exists alongside her gratitude that he isn’t arguing.

I follow the interaction with a private request for Zosia’s assistance.“I prefer the ability to read emotions through auras. However, during moments of possible conflict, I will benefit from a clear vision of the threat.”

Almost immediately, my vision shifts from color to objects and people. J’s stance and expression has undergone a significant change. He’s coolly detached, proud, and defiant like the Addington we know. Garrett’s muscles strain as if the alpha is struggling.

Zosia takes in the situation beyond the foyer. The detective is waiting. On the call earlier, he’d admitted that he hadn’t left campus. Had he known something would happen? I file the question away for later.

Walthers is seething from where he stands at the foot of the steps. The blue glow of magic surrounding him suggests that he’s actively restrained. Tremayne stands nearby, exchanging pleasantries with the waiting detective. Did he capture Walthers trying to run? Where is the other Addington?

I stay close to my mate as the doors open and we step into the late afternoon’s fading light. Students have stopped to gawk, but I notice more than one professor attempting to shoo them away.Dighit is among them, and I wonder if he’s attempting to regain his library privileges or simply here for the drama.

Zosia’s head is held high as we emerge with Garrett and J just behind us. “Detective,” she greets the Bureau’s man smoothly. “We caught this man attempting to portal into the library, which is grounds for criminal trespassing.”

The detective arches a single brow when he senses the lie in her explanations, and I brace myself for questioning. He is an ally, however, and doesn’t argue with her. J struggles in Garrett’s grip, but it’s only a display of force. His real father would have shifted and attacked by now – or start using his connections to escape the charges.

The man growls convincingly when the detective approaches with a pair of magical restraints. “Jonathan Addington, you are being detained for trespassing and suspicions of using magic in an illegal manner. Anything you say or do can be used against you to determine your guilt or innocence in a court of law. Do you understand your rights?”

“You have no proof,” J snarls and jerks his head toward the angry vamp-mage. “Whatever that man told you is a lie. He is attempting to prove his innocence by slandering my reputation.” Arrogant rage saturates each word.

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