“Did you know the entire Oren family archive is missing from the shelves? I mean the original, well, I think it’s the original. Hmm...it could be a replica. Because why would it be the original if the pages are missing? Who would destroy such a precious resource? Oh no! What if the cover was ripped from all those delicate pages. And now, your family history is unprotected, naked. Out in the world somewhere. Getting coffee or greasy food stains all over it.” Astrid finally pauses to suck in an audible breath.

I learned two things about Edna’s new assistant. One, she is passionate, obsessive, about books and their care. And two, she has no filter. No awareness of what comes out of her mouth and how it impacts others.

Her thin brown hair sticks to her forehead. Round eyes are dazed and magnified behind her oversized glasses. Her heart pounds at the fate of my family histories. I have to fight the urge to pat her on the head and tell her it’s alright. No one is shocked my history is missing. We’re a disgrace they’ve erased from existence.

“Astrid, if you don’t go back to your duties right now, you’ll be stacking shelves on the night shift!” Edna's frail finger points Astrid in a direction that’s away from our tutoring table.

“But the night shift is scary. No one ever comes in and there’s weird noises from the upstairs stacks. I’d be all alone. And with the civilians going missing..." Astrid looks around the library with a shiver.

“Then you better move.” Edna mutters looking over our tutoring schedule on the tablet in front of her.

"What civilians?" We've been so wrapped up in the investigation that we missed some big news.

"Astrid, what did I tell you about getting your news from the kitchen staff?" Edna tsks.

"You can't believe everything you hear." Astrid recites. "But rumors often start from some facts. One time..."

"Astrid!"

“I like her.” Cole shrugs skimming the open book on warrior lineage.

I hate that he’s here during my time with Edna. I hate that I have to sit next to him at this table. Mostly, I hate that he isn't bothered about it one way or another.

“Oh.” Astrid nods her head at Cole. “I get that a lot. But, you’re not my type.”

“No, that’s not what I…why not?” Cole’s question has me jerking my head in his direction.

The Cole I know would grind Astrid into the dirt for thinking she’s good enough for his attention.

“You’re too....wide.” She waves her hands in front of his chest. “And, don’t take this the wrong way, but not very intelligent looking.”

I choke out a laugh. He led our class at the academy when it came to book smarts. He always had the right answer and challenged our instructors with his insight. So while I wish Astrid was right, Cole is so much smarter than he looks.

“Not to worry.” She awkwardly pats him on the shoulder. “You’ll get over me with time. There’s someone out there who loves the bulky, slow type.”

Edna snaps her fingers and Astrid scurries away with her rolling cart leaving Cole gaping after her.

“Yeah, I like her too.” I say.

“I’m not…slow.” He creases his brow.

“Oh, that’s convincing.” I whisper.

Edna pats the top of his hand. “Of course not dear. I’m glad to see you two getting along, but we have a lot to cover today.”

“We’re not getting along.” We both say at the same time.

I scoot my chair further away from him and he fidgets in his. Edna peers over her glasses at us until we both stop moving.

“I created a schedule to take you through the warrior histories. Starting with the founding families, yourselves, and then your fellow Elites.

This is exactly what I was hoping to find out. Maybe there’s something I can glean about my family's connection with my abilities. But Cole’s the last person I want learning about my family at the same time I do.

“However, I received directives from Col. Buckler. Your focus will be on the governing relationship and duties of the warrior-born and citizens.”

“It’d be better for us to learn about our fellow team mates. And the inherent skills that follow each generation. Makes for a more cohesive, stronger squad.” Cole says.

“Yes well, we are the ones that follow the orders, not the ones that make them. Which means we cover the basics of governing relations but first, we’ll work on my agenda.” Edna smiles and passes us a tablet with the founding families crests covering the touch screen.

“Can we start with Oren?” Cole points to the cerulean blue crest intertwined with the others.

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“We should follow orders.” I try.

“Excellent idea.” Edna winks at Cole, ignoring me.

She lightly taps the tablet with the tip of her finger. And nothing happens. Both of our screens go white in some small miracle. Edna taps and slides her fingers across the entire surface before turning off the device.

“And this is why I trust books.” She pushes the tablet away in favor of The National Historical Origins volume. Its deep brown, cracked cover is encased in a sleek skin of clear plastic.

“Shoulda started with Iva’s.” Cole mutters eyeing the six inch thick tome before us.

“Now, you boys aren’t yearlings so we’re going to leave out the pretty, bedtime stories you grew up on. Let's start with the gory details of our nation’s founding.” Edna slips on thin cotton gloves to handle the ancient book.

Cole sits up straighter in his chair. I scoot myself under the table, closer to the book.

“Oren’s ancestor, Corus, led the people into safety. He and the other founding families, Algar, Zale, and Kyler. They organized the brave men and women that volunteered to protect the builders. Working day and night to keep the demons away while the wall was raised.”

Cole huffs out impatiently. Edna beams him a withering glare over her horn rim glasses.

“Sorry.” He whispers out trying not to wilt in his seat.

“Hmm.” She gives him a long hard stare before moving her attention back to the book.

“They managed to find an area the demons didn’t frequent. Which is now Seco, our nation. The people worked day and night while trying not to draw the demon's attention. The founding families and volunteers would act as bait to keep the area clear. Leading any demons that came close away from the wall."

"It was a successful plan. But in those last days, right before the final gate was sealed, the demons gathered. Like someone rang the dinner bell. For ten days the demons swarmed, attacking in intervals. Our ancestors took heavy losses.”

I exchange a look with Cole.

“How did they even manage to finish it?” I say. It sounds impossible.

“What were you told?” Edna folds her small gloved hands over the top of the pages.

My eyes follow her movement trying to pick out the answer from the text underneath her fingers.

“Nothing about that.” I point at the book. “It’s what you said before, I only heard the fairy tales."

Cole clears his throat and sits up. I flush hot thinking about all the knowledge that was purposely withheld at the academy. I dart my eyes to Cole since he was the cause. The reason I spent more time in punishment than in the classroom. He's stone still in his chair, eyes fixed on Edna’s hands.

"I remember a mythical guardian." I answer. "It bestowed powers on the brave men and women holding the perimeter, the first warriors.”

“And you think it's a fairy tale? Where do you think your weapons and enhanced strength come from? While I, along with the rest of the citizens, possess none of what you take for granted.” A cloud shutters her eyes and her nostrils flare.

“I take nothing for granted.” I bite back, a reflex I'm too worn to restrain.

She has no idea the power I can never take for granted. Cole turns to look at me but I hold Edna’s piercing gaze. I've seen her transform herself with others before. Changing from the mischievous knowledge seeker to the stern head librarian. But she's always given me a soft, open acceptance before.

“No, of course not.” She reaches out to pat both of our hands with the soft fuzzy cotton gloves but stops short.

“There has never been any evidence as to whether an other worldly being bestowed your gifts. Or if it’s an effect of those last ten days among the demons.”

“Now wait a minute.” Cole's chair screeches backward as if she shoved him. “What exactly are you saying?”

My stomach sinks.

“Enhanced strength is one of the demon's attributes. As well as manifesting abilities seemingly out of thin air. Which is similar to how your warrior weapons appear.” She's lost the usual light about her. She's flat, almost vacant and robotic with her words.

“This nation sits in one of two camps. Those that believe the warrior-born are special. Our nation’s guardians. Blessed with supernatural gifts for our survival. And those that don’t.” Edna closes the book, takes off her gloves, and sits back.

“The key to our survival is not by killing demons. And unless you arm yourselves with knowledge, this way of life will be lost sooner than anyone wants to believe.”

“Ms. Lathey. Please come with me.”

I stiffen at the deep voice behind us. And Cole exhales unapologetic frustration.

“Councilman Griffin.” Edna adds a slight waiver and sweetness to her voice that exaggerates her age. “I’m in the middle of a session but we’ll be done…”

“It’s an urgent matter of state.” Griffin swings his arm to the exit of the library knowing Edna cannot dismiss his summon.

“Of course.” She waves Astrid over.

“Excuse me, warriors.” Edna shakily stands and struggles to push her chair back.

Cole snickers at her theatrics and stands up to offer his arm. She digs her fingers into his forearm making him bite back his smirk. Griffin blankly follows her every move. He's hard to read and I fight to keep my powers from scanning his vitals. He hovers too close and I stand up when Astrid reaches us to get some distance.

“Astrid, be a dear and return The Histories to the vault. You know the procedures.” Edna releases Cole’s arm to shuffle to the exit.

Griffin's attention shifts to Astrid as she puts on the cotton gloves.

“Just a minute.” He stretches a hand out to grab the book. But meets a resounding smack from Edna’s wrinkly palm.

“The priceless artifacts are entrusted to only me and my staff. We are under orders to adhere to extensive safety protocols. And to restrict all access from unauthorized personnel, councilman. Surely you haven’t forgotten.” She sheds her shaky voice and meets his glare head on.

“Shit, don’t mess with her books.” Cole whispers to me.

“Yes, of course.” Griffin straightens his tie, still ignoring us, and turns to the exit.

Edna winks at us before shuffling extra slow behind him.

“I want that book.” I bite the side of my cheek for letting those words out in front of Cole.

“Yeah, me too.” Cole agrees.

I still don’t know what’s going on inside his head. Especially with this forced existence we’ve settled into. He may be my shadow now, but I can’t be comfortable around him. And what Edna said about the origins of our warrior strength shakes my calm and my powers. Where do our strength and weapons come from? It's the same question that's plagued me my whole life.

We watch Astrid place the book inside a metal felt lined lock case. She grunts with exertion as she picks it up and disappears inside the elevator to the second floor. I need that book.