Istared at his hand for a couple of seconds beforeItook it.Somethingabout this gesture seemed intimate.Hishand engulfed mine in a warm and protective hold.Hestared at me for a second with a look somewhere between gratitude and surprise.
Thenhe led us past the stairway and over to the far end of the library, opposite my reference desk.
Hestopped before one of the massive, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and reached out to pull three books forward from three different shelves.
“Whaton earth?”Iwhispered.
Thebookshelves started to move.Itbegan to freakin’ move!
Icovered my heart with my free hand. “Amoving bookcase?”
“Yes, this was her private space.Wecalled itAdelaide’sattic.”
Igaped as it opened, revealing another room. “Thisis every book lover’s dream.”
“Thislibrary contains many secrets.Adelaidewove magic throughout the library, and this area is protected the most, by many wards.”
Hugoducked as he led us into the room.AlthoughItried to keep up with him, my gaze turned from one side to the other.Thisroom didn’t just have more ancient-looking, leather-bound books that appeared incredibly valuable, but all sorts of jars with herbs and liquids on a table that appeared as if had been used for magic spells.Aworn, burgundy velvet sofa rested against one wall.Mygaze cruised over items on other shelves—jars with feathers, an ancient-looking mirror on a silver stand, and bottles with liquid in various colors.Ipaused to examine this wondrous hidden space, butHugonudged me along.
“Weneed to hide it and then move on.”
Igave him a quizzical look.Whywas he rushing?Iglanced into this magical room. “Wheredo you thinkIshould hide it?”
Hefixed a steady gaze on me. “Inplain site has worked well for me.”
Trueindeed.Howmany months had he stood right beside me andInever had a clue?
“Okay.”Ifound a space in between two leather-bound books and squeezed it in, where it blended right in.
ThenHugotook my hands and glanced down at me with a serious expression. “Wehave reason to believe the demon or whoever he’s associated with may come after you.”
Igaped at him. “What?”
Hissilvery-gray eyes were gentle. “Hesaid he knows you know where the book is and he’ll make you get it for him.”Hugo’sjaw twitched. “Don’tworry,LittleOne.I’dnever let that happen.Mycommander thinks you’d be safer at our living quarters for the time being, to assure that you’re safe.”
Myheart pounded faster asIchewed my lower lip. “Ademon is after me?”
Hugoreplied by curling up his lips.
“Doyou think there are more of them?”
“That’swhat we want to rule out.Please,Anya.Comewith me, so we can ensure you’re safe.”
Ipictured the night of the intruders.Theywere terrifying enough and threatening, even whenIthought they were only human.Butto be part demon and have me fixed in their crosshairs?Itried to come up with reasons why this was silly, but after whatI’dseen…
Iswallowed. “Okay,”Iagreed.
Hugoreleased a heavy exhale. “Thisway.”Heled me down more hidden hallways offAdelaide’sattic and then over to a doorway.Whenhe opened it, it led to the rooftop of the library.Westepped out beneath the night sky.Themoon and stars sparkled overhead, and the air on this summer night was cool but comfortable.Whentwo massive gray gargoyles appeared before me, similar to the two other imposing ones outside the library,Isqueaked.
Hugoturned to me. “It’sall right.They’reSentrieswho guard with me.ThisisLucandMarc.”
Igulped. “I’mAnya.”
Theynodded and greeted me with deep, gravely voices likeHugo’s.Theywent over what happened inside and their discussion with someone namedDumont, whoIassumed was their commander.
WhenHugomentioned the book, my muscles tightened.Theytalked more about demons and the book and the prophecy.
“Wait, how do you see them?”Hugoasked me as he motioned to the other two gargoyles.
