Page 7 of Mated to the Gargoyle
Areyou all right?
I’mfine.How’sthe fire?
Contained.Thehumans have all been flown to safety.
Iwinced, trying not to let the memory of my failure replay now, but it still crept into my mind, assaulting my thoughts.Istruggled to focus on the present.Thebeings appear dead, but with demon blood, who knows?
I’llsendLucandMarcback over.Whichlibrarian did they attack?
Mythroat tightened andIswallowed.Anya.
Ah, the one.
Yes.Hemeant the one who we were entrusted to protect.Hedidn’t know that for me, she was alsothe one.
Whereis she now?
She’soutside with me.WhenIglanced atAnya, she was staring at me with moon-wide eyes.Shakenup.
Isee.Canyou ask her about the book?
Iasked her, “Where’sthe book they demanded?”
Heralready wide eyes bulged, terror-stricken. “Howdid you know about that?”
Itook a long, slow breath beforeIrevealed my secret. “Ican see while in stone,Anya.AndIcan hear.Betterthan humans, in fact.”
Shestudied me with a wary gaze. “Areyou telecommunicating with someone?”
“Yes.Mycommander.”
“Forthe love of stars,” she exclaimed with an awed expression.
“I’llexplain later.Whatcan you tell me about that book?”
Shegulped. “Idon’t know.Awoman.Shecame in and thrust it into my hands, saying not to let ‘him’ get it.”
“Him?”
“Right.Ihave no idea who he is, or her, for that matter.I’dnever seen this book before.”Shecocked her head. “Wait, why shouldItell you any of this?Idon’t know ifIcan trust you.”
Ouch, that hurt.Iswallowed the lump in my throat. “Anya,I’min the library to protect it and what’s within, including the books.”Andher.
Sheassessed me for several seconds. “Didyou see it whenIshowed it to you?”Shegrimaced. “WhenIthought you were just a statue?”
Whatwas that expression on her face?Revulsion?Itried not to let it affect me and focused on the situation. “Yes.Itappeared to be bound in leather with gems on the cover.”
Shenodded. “Insidewere what looked like—”Shepaused. “Spells.”
Ourgazes locked for a few seconds beforeIrepeated the information toDumont.ThenIasked her, “Whereis it now?”
Sheraised her chin and said, “Ihid it in the special collections room.It’slocked in there.”
Iexhaled with relief. “Good.”ThenIshared the info withDumont.
Staythere untilLucandMarcarrive, and then they’ll deal with the demons.Youneed to stay withAnya, especially after what happened tonight.RememberwhatAdelaidesaid.
Thewise witch’s words echoed in my head.Iremember.
