Page 7 of Research with Rivals
“Hasn’t been filled since Carter had it, yes,” Lord Arctos said.
Carter was Gabriel’s son. The current leader of our court had been the best researcher this library had before he was called to the position of Vesten Point. That hadn’t been what I was going to ask, but I was glad for the god’s interruption. The real thought that had crossed my mind was that ahalf-faehad never held that position.
Gabriel kept speaking, and I hung on his every word. “Carter has a new vision for the position. Its name will remain the same, but given the trajectory of magic on the continent, he requires any future holders of the title to be as adept with blood magic as they are with Vesten history.” The head librarian glanced between us. “If I could melt you two together, you would be the perfect candidate. As it stands, Evelyn is stronger with blood magic, and Ambrose is stronger with history. But you’re each making remarkable strides with your weaker subject.”
I bristled. The only reason I wasn’t an expert in Vesten history was that I hadn’t been allowed in the library until a few months ago. If I’d had the opportunity to study it prior, I would have mastered it. What was Ambrose’s excuse? What fae snobbery drove his hesitancy with blood magic?
It didn’t matter. My mind was already exploring the possibilities of me in the Vesten historian position. I could change the way blood magic was studied. My research could open unlimited possibilities for those born without magic. The position had seemed so far out of my reach that wanting it hadn’t even crossed my mind. Now I wasn’t sure I could let it go. I could elevate the profile of half-fae in all the courts by winning. Torealize that Gabriel thought me qualified made something warm swell in my chest, and I didn’t quite know what to do with the emotion.
My excitement had my animal reaching for the reins again. This time, thinking of her only spurred me along. This could be the key to solving the conundrum of my shift. The position would provide access to the information I needed. I was still in a daze as Gabriel continued.
“We will help you in any way we can”—he gestured between himself and the god in the corner—“but please know information on this magical connection is incredibly limited.” He glanced again at Lord Arctos. “The gods and Compass Points only recently became aware of it.”
“So, we need to find out what the magic is and why it exists?” I asked.
Lord Arctos bristled. “We have some idea of what it is.”
Ambrose was scribbling furiously in his notebook. “Can you share?”
“Let’s see how you do with the first piece of information Carter has for you.”
The beast inside me tried to shake my tenuous hold. She didn’t like that this seemed like a test, that we weren’t receiving all the answers the god had. “Do you know if it’s blood magic?”
The fae drew a clear line between elemental magic and blood magic. They considered their elements the pinnacle of magic, and anything else was a cheap replica. It was part of what had drawn me to blood magic—the idea that anyone could use it. I didn’t know what the gods thought of it. Lord Arctos was the first I’d met.
The god studied me. He tilted his head, and I could easily imagine his bird form replicating the motion. “I don’t know. Such distinctions don’t occur to me. Magic simply is.”
My shoulders relaxed slightly at that. At least this response made sense to me.
“Carter believes that it is blood magic,” Gabriel added.
“Do you have any details of the connections?” Ambrose asked.
Gabriel nodded. “Lord Arctos and Carter tested the magic themselves.”
Ambrose sucked in a breath, and even I had to agree with his show of concern. Testing an unknown magic between a fae and a god was as risky as it got.
“Lord Arctos will explain the details when he deems it appropriate.” Gabriel pushed a book toward us. “This is a journal of two human girls, daughters of a governor of a small village hundreds of years ago. Not directly related, but Carter thought it explained blood magic’s ability to … take control.”
Intent was tricky, I knew that, but this sounded worse. Ambrose took the journal, and I pushed back my beast’s snapping teeth at the presumption that he would read it first. Begrudgingly, I told myself it was fine. I had work at the tavern. Perhaps there was a way for me to collect the journal tonight when I was done.
“Anything else we need to know?” I asked, as I stood to leave.
Lord Arctos replied, “Not at the moment. I’ll tell you what I know tomorrow. Review this in the meantime.”
3
Ambrose
My scholarly instinct was to finish my notes about the project, but with each passing moment, Evelyn got further away. It was late afternoon, and in all likelihood, she was leaving for her work at the tavern now. We needed to talk. I stood to chase after her as she left Gabriel’s office.
“Ambrose,” Gabriel interrupted my progress. “A moment.”
Lord Arctos had disappeared again. He must have shifted and flown from the office when Evelyn left. With just the two of us, Gabriel’s small office felt cozy rather than cramped. I still wasn’t at ease, but I sat. He was the head librarian, after all.
“Your father messaged to say he would stop by the library this afternoon.”
I sat up straighter. Father hadn’t said anything to me this morning. He couldn’t have known about the meeting and potential promotion, could he?
