Two days later, Milaro's complete and utter avoidance of a direct answer to her question still bugged Quinn. Malakai was alive, but in a comatose state and she didn't like the way that weighed on her.
Despite magical healing, her body still ached, and she was pretty sure the scars on her arms weren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Her scales flared intermittently in time with anxiety spikes, with the memory of the fights. She liked the safety they brought with them, but there was an element of pain that shot through her whenever they surfaced... She still didn't have control of everything.
"But that's going to change," she muttered out loud, flexing her hand in front of her and then shifted out of her infirmary bed, moving gingerly to shimmy into a soft tracksuit that sat waiting for her. There was more power all around them now, she could reach it, sense it, taste it.
The Library had powered up to the next level when Ririn's Dimensional Distortion Through Sacrificial Means was returned.
Quinn still reeled from the damage her friends had taken. Her senses connected to the Library had deepened. She took a breath, talking to herself in a mantra. "I'm going to figure myself out, find a way to heal Mal properly, and never let anyone get hurt again."
Aradie perched nearby and hooted once in low agreement.
I'm glad to see you up and about again. You're sounding more yourself. The Library spoke softly into her mind.
Quinn wasn't exactly sure how to respond. But just as she was about to speak, the Library interrupted her thoughts.
I think it's time you visited my vault.
Quinn paused. That was the last thing she'd expected. To be honest, she'd mostly forgotten the Library had ever mentioned its vault. It's not where the restricted vault is, is it?
It can be accessed from two locations. One of them is inside the restricted vault, and one is off the path that goes around the core. No one but me can enter them. They're bio locked.
What do you mean no one but you, aren't you the Library? Quinn was confused. It wasn't like the Library ever took on any other form than... the Library.
The Library chuckled, the sound spreading out like pure joy in Quinn's mind. I have Lynx to move around for me, but I do have a singular corporeal form I can assume if I want to. I just haven't needed to for a very long time.
Quinn digested that and frowned. Okay. When do you think I should head down then?
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Soon. Maybe now. There's information you need sooner than later... Information I don't currently feel safe giving you any other way. I'll conceal your presence once you're in the restricted vault.
I can just come down through the core...
No, I don't want you activating any of your power right now. Not until I've had a chance for us to analyze where you stand and what we can do to expediate your adaptation. So you can't float down the stairs, and I can't transport you yet. It's shorter for you to walk from the infirmary to the vault.
Oh. Quinn frowned. The Library had a point, but Quinn wasn't sure how it would go down if other people knew she was in there...
It's okay. I'll shield your movement as much as possible on your way there. More of a don't look at you.
Quinn sighed, and stretched. She cringed at the lingering pain. "Come on, Aradie, let's go."
Aradie cooed in Quinn's ear as Quinn made her way to the restricted section. No one looked at her as she passed, and Quinn liked being able to move around surreptitiously. Can you do this more often? she asked, hoping the answer was yes.
Of course, but I'll be able to teach you how to do it yourself soon enough. You've already absorbed one of the related books anyway.
Great. I'll remember that. She stopped, right in front of the restricted vault, shorter of breath than she thought she'd be. Magic can fix everything? She'd have words with Milaro next time she saw him. She swore he'd been avoiding her.
Or else... he was trying to take care of Mal. The latter was much more likely.
Quinn placed her hand on the beautiful 20-foot narrow double doors of the restricted section. Their frosted glass with wrought iron filigree bars still caught her attention like they had the first day.
"Where do I go?" She murmured to the Library.
Straight through to the back seating area, but take a left and there is a small panel in between the window and the side of the bookshelf.
Quinn walked through the restricted vault toward the back, loving the view through the massive bay windows that looked out to the galaxy beyond. The stars lit up the interior of the vault beautifully, lending even more mystery to the books housed there.
Including Ririn's tome. It was now housed behind protective glass, with an attached alarm, given its ability to corrupt almost any magical creature that touched it.
Ripping her attention from it, she glanced around to find the panel the Library talked about. Her gaze crossed dozens of books, the shelves, and then finally landed on the panel.
She walked up to it. It was nondescript, basically just a part of where the bookcase was attached to the back wall. This it?
Now place your hand about a foot above your waist. There'll be a slight prick and it will take your genetic reading. And only then will you be allowed inside.
Quinn placed her hand a foot above her waist, and a panel that hadn't been visible at all suddenly popped open. There was a hand imprint device just inside it and she placed her hand palm down on it. The prick was more like a shock, it sparked through her system like a call that needed to be answered.
Genetic material recognized.
And then, the panel slid open to reveal a staircase leading into darkness.