“Let’s move everyone to the main Library upstairs. We have some medical supplies to help with the injured. My Library technician is there. She’ll help.” Mirin will love that. The fiery witch hated helping people if she had a choice in the matter.

Just then, a large shadow overcasts me from my side.

I lift my head to stare at the tall, muscular man. His hair was cut tight and black, his eyes a deep ocean blue, and his shirt was testing the limits of its fabric, showing every corded muscle and ab.

He seems like the enforcer type, a fighter if the light scars on his knuckles and neck are any indication. He stood tall before me, but I felt no intimidation from him.

“I’ll help.” He gives me a slight nod, his voice short and direct, a husky tone to the brief noise.

“Thanks—” Is all I get out before the large tank makes his way over to an unconscious man lying beside a couple of injured people. In one gentle move, he picks the man up and makes his way to the stairs.

“Wait, Cole—” The others around the man scramble to follow after him.

Others from the group follow slowly after, hesitant stares and mumbles as they slowly make their way up the basement steps.

Isaac narrows his eyes at the group before following quickly after.

Jace follows, too, a brief smile and nod to me before helping a couple of the injured up the stairs and toward the main Library.

I turn to make my way up the steps just as a voice clears behind me, loudly.

“As wonderful of an idea as that is…” the arrogant Fae says, dripping with sarcasm, “It would be safer to stay here, near the Portal.”

He casts a glance toward me. “Oh, that's right, you wouldn’t know anything about that.”

He adjusts his silk tunic, the fabric smeared with blood and fraying in one corner.

“The Portal…” he says while brushing his hand down his chest, “…is a safety mechanism of the Autarium, connected to the Library in case of an attack. It transports any living creatures near the Vault to the safest Library. It's only ever been activated in one other case, shortly after the Library was created.” He looks at me, tilting his chin, a brow raised as he trawls his eyes down my figure and back, a bitter scrutiny in them.

“Well, I guess someone of your background wouldn’t know any of this.” His tone cold and cutting as he continues, oblivious to my building rage.

I wonder how pretty he’d still look with a few bruises.

I clench my fists at my side, trying to stop myself from knocking the arrogant ass out cold.

“My predecessor spared no expense when teaching me,” he continues, oblivious. “I took to my duties like a swan to water,” he says, his chest slightly expanding.

More like a pigeon.

“I didn't formally introduce myself. I am the Second Sector's Librarian—”