“No. I’ve asked on other occasions. Nestor wants a safe, quiet space for the parents to unload without nearby distractions.”
“Then we wait.”
Gigi huffed a sigh, resigned that the schedule was completely blown. Unlatching Canary’s small rattan cage attached to the belt at her waist, placing him on her shoulder in readiness. Once Nico’s savoury trays arrived she’d find a discreet spot on the table for Canary so anyone who felt the need to test her treats before eating them could do so.
Idly she studied the Children’s Wing through the massive arched doorway. It really did look great, the renovation had been top notch. Lush green carpets. Wide open spaces for the children to run around. Reading nooks full of beanbags awaiting anyone who wanted to read in quiet. And row upon row of gleaming oak handmade shelves, filled with colourful books. And standing sentry, on top of the bookcases, were fantastical hand carved figures; knights, dragons, ogres and fairies, just to name a few. More of those hand carved figures decorating the wood poles supporting the small stage built off to the side. A place where small plays or shows could be performed, or in today’s case, a storyteller could comfortably sit, whilst their audience looked on from the comfort of their car seats.
“Is it just me, or is Theo going overboard on the sharp and prickly stuff today?”
Gigi eyed the bulging pockets of Gaia’s long skirt. “I think perhaps he’s trying to impress Sunny.” In fact, both baby boys appeared fascinated by the new addition, who’d been placed between them. Glancing her way constantly, Theo ignoring his mother, Asher ignoring the straps securing him in place. “Oh, Aunt Patricia wants me.”
Gigi, with Nico two steps behind her, entered the Children’s Wing, approaching Patricia, who was looking hard pressed not to use her powers to blast one stubborn ass Maat Warrior off his feet and roll him out into the central atrium. Gigi quirking an inquiring eyebrow at her cousin, wondering why she’d been summoned.
“Hey. Do me a favour and distract the babies whilst I get physical and strongarm Gaia and Drum out of here as discreetly as possible.”
“Distract how?” Gigi was puzzled. She was neither dressed appropriately or prepared to entertain three small infants.
“The bunny, darling.” Patricia waved a hand at Canary, perched on her shoulder. “There’s nothing the littlies love more than something cute and fluffy. Though I wouldn’t advise letting him get too close to Asher. If that child doesn’t get a handle on his hunting instincts soon, we’ll all be waking up in the early hours to find him looming over us with a sharp weapon testing how good our security measures are.”
Hiding a shudder, Gigi circled around Nell, who was pleading softly with Drum to relax a little, promising there would be some nice calming chamomile tea on offer out in the atrium.
Nico stood off to the side, as Gigi plucked Canary off her shoulder, placing him on the small stage. The dark purple furry little showman waggled his long ears and twitched his nose adorably. Hopping to the very edge of the stage and shaking his little tush. The three babies transfixed. Oblivious to Patricia reaching down, grabbing Gaia by the elbow and practicallylifting her to her feet. And then, with arms open wide, acting like barriers, Patricia physically backed both Gaia and Hadleigh out into the atrium area.
Okay, two sets of parents down.
Now for the immoveable object. Nico didn’t like Patricia’s chances.
Hah, he shouldn’t have questioned her skills. As Head Librarian, Patricia had perfected several looks over the years to deal with her extended eccentric demanding family. The one she now fixed upon Drum was stern, determined, and brooked absolutely no defiance. The Maat Warrior, a semi immortal with more than a hundred years of fighting supernatural creatures under his camo belt met Patricia’s gaze with a dark mutinous scowl. Silently warning her that he would not be moved. Patricia’s only response? To narrow her gaze a little, pinning him with all her attention.
It seemed even Drum was surprised as he shifted backwards, now a foot closer to the atrium. Clenching his fists in determination, planting his boots heavily upon the lush carpet. Patricia’s expression didn’t change, except she took one step closer to the enormous Warrior, and he backed up yet another step.
This went on until Drum’s boots hit the red brick floor of the atrium and he conceded, with the barest of nods, the superior force of Patricia.
Wow, Nico made a mental note to never return a library book late, he didn’t ever want to be on the receiving end of that look. Gigi sending him a quick smile, clearly knowing exactly what he was thinking.
Bending, Gigi swooped Canary up, turning to double check that Patricia was on her way back to take up storyteller duties. Pleased to see that Riordan had arrived and was in the process ofplacing Nico’s savoury trays in the empty places she’d left on the morning tea table.
Excellent. Her gaze travelling idly over the babies, who were all looking out into the atrium as well. Weird, but then what did she know about babies. Exchanging a glance with Nico. Looks like their job here was done. She’d pop Canary on the table and they could leave.
They’d only taken one step away from the stage though when several things happened at once. Everyone’s phone buzzed loudly, sounding the emergency warning beacon. Something bad was happening somewhere in or near the Sanctuary.
At the same time Riordan dropped one of the metal platters, creating a sharp noise reminiscent of a gunshot as it hit the red brick flooring. Her cousin’s gaze locked on the entrance archway of the library. Surprise and horror on her face. The word “No!” Exploding out of her. Causing everyone in the entry to turn, weapons out, ready to defend themselves and even more importantly, the babies.
Riordan, at the back of the group, dashed inside the Children’s Wing, zagged instantly to the left, bringing her fist down on the emergency button. Instantly an incredibly thick magically inert steel door slammed down over the entrance archway, shutters doing likewise over all the windows. Every light in the Children’s Wing blinked off and then back on, a recent upgrade to the backup system in each Wing meant thankfully they wouldn’t be left in the dark.
Wow, that was quick and smart thinking on Riordan’s part. Except, as her younger cousin stepped away from the emergency button her long vibrant red hair shimmered and turned a glimmering golden colour, one that matched her suddenly alien skin tone. Oh, no.
“Riordan?” Instinctively Gigi moved to stand between her cousin and the babies, Nico at her side.
His entire body clenched and ready. He’d taken a brief moment to read the Sanctuary wide warning text that had accompanied the alarm. He knew what was coming. “There’s been a prison break.”
Those words sent a chill down Gigi’s spine, weirdly, they made Riordan smile.
“Riordan.” Nico spoke her name in a calm soothing tone. “You okay?” Noting what he hadn’t seen before around her neck, a gold heart shaped locket that to his senses screamed ancient. “The necklace.” He whispered the words under his breath to Gigi.
Several dull thuds sounded against the steel door, before abruptly ceasing. Gigi guessing Drum had attempted futilely to break it down single-handedly.
From her back pocket Riordan produced a long thing golden rope, and with a quick flick of her wrist threw it at the nearest wall. The rope landing in the shape of a large circle, the centre of the circle a shimmering haze, then suddenly there were people stepping through. Five men, wearing white togas, all insanely attractive, swords out and at the ready. They didn’t look like Qetesh’s puppet followers, these men looked smart, grim faced and free thinking.
