Loud shouts echo out around the Library, people talking over one another with angry raised voices, unwilling to lose to the other.

We stroll closer, their voices now clearer to hear the topic of dispute.

“We need to leave…to get out of here before those people attack this place too!” an old woman argues. She’s wearing a mousy brown up-do and pale blue dress suit. Probably elven, by the looks of her elegant posture and delicately tipped ears.

“We’re safest here,” shouts a young petite blonde, her brows pinched as she glares at the other woman.

“As safe as we were in our own Libraries?!” the older woman snaps back. “They were better than here.” She gestures to the Library around her, a look of distaste across her face.

Excuse me?

Others around her murmur in accord. Hah, such a grateful bunch.

“…And they were still attacked. We were lucky to get out—”

An elderly man cuts her off. “We can’t move. Some of us have injuries!” He’s a pixie hybrid by the looks of him. “Are you going to leave us behind to save yourself?!”

Those injured and clutching or helping their unconscious friends start to raise their voices in concern.

Just as we draw closer to the aggravated group, Cole steps up and lets out a loud bellow.

“Enough.” His eyes narrow as he glares at them, daring them to challenge him.

I look at him, my eyes glued to his figure, as the dominance and power pour from his body with the single word, rolling off him like waves throughout the room. “We’ll be safer together.”

One lanky man in a gray suit steps forward. His hair dark and slicked back, his nose sharp and jawline cutting as it contorts, his lip curling up further on his face. He turns toward Cole.

“Safe, hah!” His eyes narrow toward Cole, his teeth bared.

“As safe as your Library, Guard?”

Cole's shoulders flinch slightly, turning his head toward Mateo on the floor, still unconscious. He frowns, a crease pulling at his brows as he turns back to the loud streak of a man.

The man’s glare pointed and words cutting as he continues his chatter.

“How could we be any safer with you than they were? How could you protect us? You’re useless.”

His anger is clearly being misplaced toward the wrong person. Cole stands there, his eyes dark as he accepts the animosity and accusation being flung at him.

But how was any of this his fault? This isn't a mistake he made or a job he neglected. He did what he could in an unforeseen situation, and that saved some of the lives still standing here now.

I shift forward, unable to watch this ass continue his irritating spiel or allow Cole to just accept it. “And who are you?”

The spindly man’s eyes scrunch together as he scrutinizes me, a mocking smile tilting his lips. “Why should I answer your questions? Who are you?”

“Seems you have hearing issues as well as a loud mouth. I’m the Librarian.” I gesture to the Library around us. “And this is my Sector.”