The voices in the room still murmur and whisper as they stare toward the barrier flowing down the walls. Looks of unease and concern spread across the group.

"You can see it for yourselves.” I gesture toward the magic pouring down the building's surface. “The magic barrier spreading over the Library, that's the Autarium. It's trying to defend and protect the Library."

Noticing the apprehension on their faces, Ilyric stands beside me.

“It does make sense,” he states, giving me a slight glance, the certainty in his voice at my words surprising me. “The Autariums were created to protect the Libraries and Records and to cast a shadow over mortal eyes. This shield or barrier of sorts,” he gestures to the translucent blue magic streaming down the walls, “may not have been recorded simply because it's never faced an attack of this magnitude over the years.”

“It might also have something to do with the other Libraries being attacked.” Jace places himself to my left, his gaze firm toward the people before us, as his hand slightly brushes across mine.

The elderly Fae lady from earlier steps forward, just feet from me, with her brow raised and chin tilted. “But how do you know that if it wasn’t recorded or hasn’t happened before?” Her gaze drips with ridicule as she continues, “What if this is a part of their attack? Them trying to weaken our guard by using a different magic against us?” Voices begin to murmur in agreement. Enmity spreads among the group, dividing them.

Jace’s large hand takes mine in his, his callous fingers gently rubbing the back of my hands, his gaze like stone toward the woman questioning me.

I open my mouth to speak just as a deep silky voice rings out from nearby.

“Necromancers and Black Mages don’t use this kind of magic,” Lucien drawls, his gaze dark and tone cold toward the woman. “You would be a fool not to know that.”

The woman pins her glare toward Lucien before quickly turning away, a slight tremble to her eyes with whatever she saw on his face. A dark smirk spreads across his lips as he stares at her.

Cole steps forth, his large figure casting a shadow over us.

“It is the Autarium.” His voice is deep and husky as he confirms my story, his eyes sharp as he stares toward the whispering crowd. “I saw it myself upstairs.” With this, he gives me a small nod.

I smile. So he could actually say more than two words at a time.

It seems having multiple people argue the same point really helps. The murmurs begin to quieten, faces release the tension they are holding, relaxing their anxious stares. The group calms and goes back to sitting down and talking in their groups.

Having Jace, Cole, Lucien, and even Ilyric help me made things much easier this time. I look at them surrounding me, my brows furrowed as a strange feeling grows in my chest. I rub at the small prickle and catch Mirin staring at me from beside the reception desk. She gives me a wicked smirk, her eyes gleaming as they flicker to the men around me. She mouths, “No bear tonight?” before wriggling her brows, a light titter leaving her black lips.