“What are you snorting about?” Kodi asks sullenly.
“Just not surprised that this isn’t some remake of Annie,” I respond honestly.
“Maybe they’re just taking us somewhere you can get in easier,” he mutters as the door closes and the car moves again.
I feel a little sorry for him. He’s not that much older than me. Did he have hopes of becoming a student at this elite school in his life? How had he ended up at the orphanage if that was the case? Benny the monster was accepted, though, and I thought he’d be better suited for the pound; there’s no accounting for taste.
I watch Rene walk away, supported by the beautiful Geena, and wonder where Ansel is. I swallow the thought almost immediately. I don’t need to know where the man with the deadly ring is. My heart stops beating as we pass by another building that looks entirely made of man-sized stones and towers above the car. There, above the door, is that same symbol, the one that haunts my dreams and my mostly hidden memories.
“What does that mean?” I ask hesitantly.
Kodi is still pouting, but he glances up and then down again. “It’s one of the Houses. There are three. That’s the House of Beasts. Everyone who’s graduated from that House wears the symbol.”
My breath stills in my throat. “And how many would that be?”
“How many what?” Kodi snaps.
“How many graduates?”
“Thousands.” Kodi looks at me anew. “Why does it matter?”
I don’t answer him. I suppose I’d always intended to look for whoever stole my childhood and left me crippled for life, but the symbol is the only clue I had. Now that I know it belongs to thousands of supernaturals, those hopes are dashed. I’ll never find revenge. Maybe it’s for the best. I’m not really a vengeance type of girl. Give me three meals a day, enough books to read for the rest of my life, a soft bed, and I can be entirely happy with my lot in life. Laziness and shirking responsibility could definitely extend to plans of vengeance. I’ve had enough excitement for a lifetime, even if I can’t remember it.
Still, though, my insides clench as we make our way past the towering building. I’m finally in a position to solve the mystery of my tormenter. Will I really throw away that opportunity?
Chapter Three
Zosia
The car bumps along a couple more barely paved, winding roads before coming to a stop in front of a building that speaks to me. I swear I can hear it whispering as the door opens again, and Ansel appears from nowhere like the lady did before. Did they fly behind us? There aren't any other cars. By the state of the road, I don’t believe it’s meant for cars, but I’m grateful for the ride. The campus is vast, and I assume I’ve only seen a small section of it.
I’m still gaping when Ansel directs us to get out of the car. The building is washed sandstone; it looks almost pink in the fading sunlight. I don’t know how far we’ve traveled, but the day is winding down. The trees surrounding the back of the building are still familiar, though, so we haven’t left the northeast. Massive, intimidating gargoyles perch on the ledge above the grand entrance, and I shiver as I imagine their eyes watching me. Hell, maybe they are. This is a magic school, after all. I’ve never met a gargoyle before.
The building is meant to look foreboding with its large bricks, menacing protectors, and the creeping ivy that manages to wrap half the building in its embrace, but I feel only awe. Even the steps don’t appear foreboding, although there’s a nice stack of seven waiting for me.
“I thought you’d like this place,” Ansel murmurs, and I realize I haven’t moved from my gawking state. Kodi is laughing at me again, although he manages to keep it to himself this time. I shake off whatever spell the inanimate stone has managed to place over me and stumble from the car. I never do anything gracefully, and I don’t try anymore. When Ansel acts like he’s going to help me, I shrug him off. He’ll learn I don’t like to be touched without permission. Just because I have these crutches doesn’t mean anyone, humans or supernaturals, can break into my personal bubble under the pretense of helping. I imagine pregnant women feel something similar.
“Ghost,” a voice demands. The old man, Faustus I believe, waits impatiently. He walks and stands like he has a stick up his ass, and I feel a return of the slithering guilt from dragging my only friend with me. “You’re with me.” Kodi’s head jerks as if the collar is pulling him. My guilt increases.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper quietly. The ghost shrugs, adopting the devil-may-care attitude I’ve come to expect from him. I imagine his eyes flash with color (is that green?) before he turns away.
“I’ll see you soon,” he murmurs. I hear it as a promise, a small measure of rebellion against the man who holds the ghost’s leash. Kodi doesn’t deserve to be a slave, not like Benny, that little monster. Instead, Benny is probably being introduced to the academy as a promising young shifter, or whatever he is, while my dead friend and I are relegated to serving positions. I hope that’s the worst I can expect. I haven’t allowed myself to focus on more dreadful ideas, even though they’re running through my mind like a horror movie marathon.
Once Kodi is marched away, I turn back to Ansel, straightening my back and wishing again that I’d had time for a shower. His perfection is off-putting, making me realize everything that’s wrong with me and everything that places me under his level.
When we’re alone, Ansel lowers his gaze to mine. “This is the Academy Library. It houses all the knowledge of the academy and some secret tomes that no one except the appointed librarian is privy to.”
My awe increases. I know there are books in there; I can practically smell them. If Ansel thinks I’m capable of being an assistant to this librarian he speaks of, I’ll do everything I can to prove him correct. It’s like my dream job, without even having to attend the stuffy academy behind me. Who wants to suffer through years of school work and snooty teachers if they can just start where they want? Surrounded by books? It sounds like heaven to me.
Ansel continues to speak instead of leading me up the stairs, and I’m grateful. I need a minute. “The library is thousands of years old. It has evolved from a mud hut in the middle of nowhere, the depository of stone tablets, to the beauty you see before you. She’s rather particular about who she allows within her inner walls, although a smaller portion is accessible to nearly anyone.”
“She?” I stumble on the word and hope I’m not drooling at the thought of all those books. “The current librarian, I assume?”
There’s a heavy pause, and I glance over at Ansel. He’s staring at the looming building, his hands carefully clasped behind his back. “There is no current librarian, Zosia. The library is the she I refer to. It’s a sentient building.”
“Sentient?” I gasp and squint like I expect to see the building sprout legs and walk away. I imagine one of the gargoyles laughs at me. I flash a quick look upward, but the face returns to stone in a second. I’m probably still tired from my little nap and the stress of the day. It will take me a while to adjust to real magic after having been ensconced in the boring human world for years.
“Yes. She chooses her librarians. Tomorrow, I’d like to introduce you to her.”
I gasp out loud this time, staring at Ansel like he’s grown another head. “Me? A librarian? I seriously doubt I’m cut out for that. Don’t I have to have a bachelor’s degree or…I don’t know, legs? I imagine being head of a library is a lot of work, running around to shelve and find books.”
Ansel looks down at me and arches an eyebrow. I want to roll my eyes at him. “You might be surprised. But, like I said, that is for tomorrow. The library is quite specific about her hours. Right now, she wants to be closed.”
I side-eye the building, wondering if I’ve missed some blaring neon sign. “How do you know?”
Ansel shrugs. “In the last librarian’s absence, I’ve been gifted with a little of the library’s knowledge, enough to seek out a successor.”
I lean on one of my braces, shif
ting my weight to one side. “And just how many candidates have you introduced to it…her…since the last one?”
Ansel’s lips twitch. “You’re just as I hoped, Zosia. Three. I’ve introduced three potential librarians to her since the last one died. The most recent, official librarian was in place for over a thousand years, gifted a long life by the library.”
I shiver. I’m not sure I want immortality. Getting through one day is a bitch. Three other people, all of them probably far more worthy than I, have stood in this place, likely wishing for the same thing. Who wouldn’t want to be the librarian of a magical depository of books? “And what happens to the potentials when they’re turned away? Is there some kind of trial, or battle to the death, or something?”
Ansel’s lips twitch again as he chuckles. “No. It’s a simple choosing process. You present yourself to the library, she administers her decision, and you either start your life’s work, or you’re placed elsewhere.” He doesn’t sound happy about the last part, and I square my shoulders. Great. I can either get my dream job based on the whims of a building or become a chambermaid and scrub floors for the rest of my life. I grimace, wondering if it’s too late to go back to the orphanage.
“It’s too late to turn back now,” Ansel murmurs, almost too quietly for me to hear.
I snap a look at him. “Can you read my mind? What are you, anyway?” My gaze flashes to his ring for the millionth time. I can’t stop looking at it.
“I can’t read your mind. And I’m not answering your last question. First rule of supernatural etiquette: it’s extremely rude to ask what someone is. If you are chosen by the library, you will be granted a position in our society, and it’s best to know your manners. The library will only protect you so far.”
Of course. Even as the chosen protector of millions of books, I will still be one of the have-nots. I take a deep breath. “Okay, well, if we’re not doing this today, can I get a bed and a shower?”
“Of course,” Ansel answers. He turns to the small building in the shadow of the library that I barely noticed. It’s nothing more than a little hut, but it’s cute. “This is usually reserved for the guards that watch over the library, but the library, as I said, is closed right now. She won’t let anyone enter farther than the foyer until after she chooses her new librarian. If you’re chosen, there’s a full apartment inside that will become yours.”
I humph at Ansel. “You’re acting like I might have a chance,” I grumble.
“You don’t think you do?” he asks with another arch of his brow as he leads me toward the small side building. It’s a service-oriented building, but I’m just happy it’s one level without any stairs to manage. Despite spending the last four hours, more or less, in a car sleeping, I’m still tired. The little guardhouse butts up next to the library. My fingers itch to trail along the ivy-covered stones as we round the huge building.
Ansel fidgets with something at his belt and pulls out a glowing key I hadn’t seen before. It has a book with a quill pen at the end of it, and something about it makes my back itch when he inserts it into the little door.
He doesn’t open the door, though. Instead, he stops and looks at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Do you not think you have a chance?”
“Oh, that.” I’d forgotten I didn’t answer him. I shrug. “My life hasn’t exactly taught me to hope for the best.”
Ansel’s eyes flicker to my legs. Is it obvious to him that my injuries aren’t a genetic abnormality? Most assume so, but I wonder if his magic offers more insight. He opens his mouth, but I shake my head. “First rule of human etiquette: it’s rude to ask how my body and my life got so fucked up.”
Ansel’s mouth snaps shut. Kodi would have told me I have big lady balls, but mostly I’m hungry and tired of the changes. I feel like I’m constantly on edge because everything is so new. Is there food inside?
Ansel pushes the door open. His ring flashes in the light, causing a lump to rise in my throat. I don’t have to look behind me to know exactly where the House of Beasts is. The academy must be full of people, but we haven’t seen many so far. I appreciate that the library is slightly insulated from the rest of the campus even as I chastise myself for thinking I might stay to really enjoy it.
“Everything you need should be inside. I’ll be by in the morning to introduce you to the library.”
“That soon, huh?” I release the words on a breath of air as anxiety spikes through me.
Ansel nods. “The academy has postponed the start of term until it finds a librarian. It’s difficult to pass classes when none of the students can research their papers.” Something tells me the academy operates around the library, not the other way around, and his explanation gives me a reason why it’s so quiet.
I force a shrug. At least I’ll be showered tomorrow, not that it matters since I’m meeting a building. I doubt it notices things like that. She, I remind myself. There is an inherently feminine presence to the building. Another gargoyle perches on this side of the building, directly above the building I’ll be staying in. Instead of seeming ominous, it feels protective. I shake aside the fanciful thoughts.
“See you in the morning, then,” I say dismissively as I push inside the building.
Ansel clears his throat, and I turn back to him. “Stay inside the building until I come for you, Zosia. I can’t protect you if you leave.”
I frown at him as he walks away. Keeping his warning in mind, I shut the door behind me and assess the room. There’s a small bed in the corner with comfortable linens, and a plate of food waits on the counter that leads into a small, serviceable kitchen. One glance into the only other room reveals a toilet and shower. All the amenities includes fruity shampoo, and I laugh when I imagine a burly guard smelling like strawberries.
Before I make use of the bathroom or dig into the food, though, I turn toward the shared wall with the library. It draws me, and I can tell that it isn’t part of the guard shack. It’s older, the stones carefully placed even though it appears its connection to the library is seamless. I don’t know about architecture, but it doesn’t seem like the most efficient construction. Still, I understand why. Power emanates from that one wall; it would attract the notice of any guard. The bed is pushed against the wall. I trail my fingers along the ancient stones. An electric tingle travels up my arm, and I quickly snatch my hand back and sit heavily on the end of the bed.
Do I actually have a chance? I remember a time in my life when I had high hopes. They were all literally smashed with a steel rod. I glare down at my legs. If my infirmity prevents me from getting this position, I’ll be pissed. All the nonsense my counselor spouted? I can accomplish anything if I put my mind to it? Not likely if I can’t get up a flight of stairs on my own. It’s difficult to believe the library will want a broken librarian. What would I do? Magic the books toward me? My imagination conjures flying books.
With a heavy sigh, I stand and head toward the short counter. Food first, then shower, then sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll face my fate. I try not to feel lonely as I perform the mundane tasks, surprised to find clothes waiting in the trunk at the end of the bed when I emerge from my shower.
Everything is surprisingly easy to navigate, even in the small space, and I’m grateful for it. I pull on a loose linen shirt to sleep in, not bothering to cover my legs. I hope there’s an outfit worthy of a centuries-old library because my worn sweatpants and stained t-shirt aren’t going to impress anyone or anything. I’m surprised Ansel could bear touching me.
As I drift to sleep, my mind is filled with thoughts of flying books, living gargoyles, and sentient libraries. And wings. For some reason, I dream of wings.
Chapter Four
Zosia
A tingle of awareness slithers along my spine, rousing me. It’s not morning yet. The shiver doesn’t foretell danger, so I awaken more slowly than usual, feeling unaccountably safe in this new space that should seem scary and unfamiliar. I’m not surprised to see Ko
di perched on the side of my bed, his head hanging down.
“Boo?” The word is garbled and barely incoherent. I wipe the sleep from my eyes as I reach toward the nightstand for my glass of water. One of the tricks to being “less abled”: have everything ready and in reach before going to bed. Falling on my face because I’m too tired to walk is a horrible thing.
I’m used to seeing Kodi at night. He spent a lot of nights in my room with me. After I got past the creep factor, it felt nice knowing I wasn’t alone, although I never admitted that to him. He started staying more often when a couple older boys tried to sneak into my room one night, thinking I’d be easy prey. I’d never laughed so hard as when they peed their pants and ran away. Kodi can make himself visible to humans if he tries really hard, and I guess humans don’t like ghosts.
There’s something different tonight, though. Firstly, he’s not floating up by the ceiling, but actually sitting on my bed. Secondly, he looks sad. I rise to a sitting position, pulling my useless legs up with me by the strength of my upper arms. I hate to brag, but those arms are kind of ripped. It takes a lot of effort to navigate with the power of only half my body.
When he doesn’t speak, I clear my throat and push my hair back from my face. The benefit of having stick-straight hair? Even when I sleep on it while it’s wet, it’s not a mess. “I fucked up, didn’t I?”
Kodi finally glances toward me, and I wish I could hug him. It’s not the first time I’ve made this wish. It feels worse now because he’s substantial enough to sit on something but not solid enough to be hugged. I’m guessing he can still float through walls or there’s no way he would have gotten into my little shack. The sentient library must sense he’s not a threat if I correctly understand Ansel’s explanation.
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