Page 4 of Tempest Blazing
Silvius's expression darkened. "The Library's... opinions... aside, we have protocols for dealing with security breaches. Protocols that don't involve untrained humans playing hero."
Untrained. Human. The words hit like physical blows, and I felt my temper rising again.
Theron's jaw tightened. "Her job is to serve the Library."
"Her job," Silvius said with cutting precision, "is to organize books and follow orders. Not to engage in magical combat with mysterious intruders who conveniently disappear without a trace."
"Miss Whittaker is a bonded Rider and a Library employee," Theron interjected before I could respond. "She had every right—and responsibility—to protect the collection when faced with a threat." His gaze swept the group. "The question isn't whether she should have acted, but how someone managed to breach our defenses in the first place."
Elara Windmere spoke for the first time, her glamoured voice carrying subtle harmonics that seemed to settle the tensionin the room. "Perhaps we should focus on the more pressing question—what was stolen?"
I hesitated. The book had been about the Heart of Creation, but something told me not to reveal that. Not with this group. Not when I couldn't tell who might be friend or foe.
"I'm not sure," I said finally. "It happened too fast."
Dorian's eyes narrowed. "Indeed. An intruder steals an unknown book, fights our newest Rider, and vanishes without leaving so much as a magical fingerprint." His tone dripped skepticism. "One might almost think—"
"One might think,"Moriyana interrupted smoothly,"that we should be more concerned about how our security was breached than about questioning the victim of that breach."
The word 'victim' seemed to hang in the air, and I saw several expressions shift. Elara nodded approvingly. Theron's posture straightened as he studied the sealed wall where the intruder had escaped, his expression grim. Even Silvius looked momentarily uncertain.
But Dorian wasn't finished. "Security breaches require investigation. Thorough investigation. Perhaps Miss Whittaker wouldn't mind submitting to a memory scan? To help us understand exactly what happened?"
Ice shot through my veins. A memory scan would reveal everything—the intruder's Guild insignia, the stolen information about the Heart of Creation, the torn parchment burning a hole in my pocket. They'd see it all.
"That's quite enough,"Moriyana stated."Miss Whittaker has been through a traumatic experience. She doesn't need to be subjected to invasive magical procedures."Her mental voice carried a sharp edge."Besides, any formal investigation wouldfall under the Library's jurisdiction, not the Omnium's. You simply happen to be here, Dorian."
Dorian's expression darkened at the reminder of jurisdictional boundaries.
"With respect, Grand Luminary," Silvius said, though his tone held no respect at all, "security protocols exist for everyone's protection. If there truly was an intruder—"
"There was," I reiterated.
The Library itself seemed to pulse around us in response, lights flickering in patterns that felt almost like speech. Books rustled on distant shelves, and the very walls hummed with confirmation—as if the ancient structure itself bore witness to the truth.
The display was impressive, but it raised an uncomfortable question that I filed away for later—if the Library possessed such awareness, such power, why hadn't it prevented the breach in the first place? Something I'd need to ask Moriyana about privately.
Silvius's expression went carefully blank. He couldn't argue with the Library directly—not here, not in front of witnesses. But the look he shot me promised this conversation wasn't over.
"Very well," he said finally. "But this incident will require a full report. And increased security measures."
"Even though I'm part of the Omnium Council rather than the Library leadership," Elara interjected, "I'd like to offer a suggestion." She looked between Silvius and Moriyana carefully. "Perhaps we should discuss those measures privately. No need to alarm the general population."
Was this a cover-up? It seemed like they wanted to bury this, pretend it never happened. I opened my mouth to protest, then caught Moriyana's subtle shake of her great head. Not here. Not now.
"Of course," Dorian agreed, his smile predatory. "We wouldn't want to cause unnecessary panic. Though I do think enhanced security around our... newer... Riders would be prudent."
"The Guild will handle internal security," Silvius said coldly. "The Library's defenses will be reviewed and strengthened."
"I'd like to be involved in that review," Theron said firmly. "As Miss Whittaker's instructor, I have a vested interest in understanding any vulnerabilities that might affect her safety." His gaze moved between Silvius and Dorian. "And as a Rider, I'm concerned about any weaknesses in our defensive systems."
Silvius's expression tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Fine. We'll coordinate through proper channels."
The meeting continued for another twenty minutes, but it felt like hours. Plans were made for increased security, protocols were discussed, and through it all, I felt like a specimen under a microscope. Every word I spoke was weighed and measured, every reaction catalogued.
Finally, mercifully, the group began to disperse. Silvius left first, his parting look promising future unpleasant conversations. Dorian followed, his pale eyes lingering on me with unsettling intensity. Theron hesitated, his expression serious as he caught my eye. "We'll talk later," he said quietly. "About security protocols and... other things." The promise in his voice suggested he understood there was more to this situation than what had been discussed.
That left Moriyana and Elara, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders.
