“The entrance is at the Unisphere,” Monty said, peering down the road. “There will be several security measures in place before we can access the structure itself.”
“What do you mean at the Unisphere? It’s just a large empty globe and a big reflecting pool. I don’t recall there being any structure near there large enough to house an ultra-library.”
“Under the reflecting pool,” Monty said, “sits the Auer’s Archive. Access is granted at the inverted tripod that’s holding up the globe. It’s an ingenious design.”
“Is this archive physical? Like Ziller’s?”
“Yes, why?”
“Why aren’t these archives digitized?” I asked. “I understand the magical books being physical, but the ones about mundane things should be digital. Would certainly take up less space. It would eliminate the need for a book batcave.”
“Who said it wasn’t?” Monty said. “Part of the archive is certainly modern. There are parts that are not, and some are redundant sources of information. Physical books do not require electricity to power them.”
“Good point,” I said with a nod. “Physical books can’t be hacked, either.”
“Correct. In any case, stay alert,” Monty said. “I’m certain our presence has not gone unnoticed.”
“Stay alert?” I said, looking around. “What? We’re going to be attacked by rogue book thieves?”
Monty glared at me.
“You fail to see the danger because you are not seeing the larger picture,” he said. “Expand your thought process and re-examine the current situation.”
He walked off, heading down the road to the Unisphere.
“Next, you’ll tell me to free my mind, Morpheus.”
“That would presume you had one to free,” Monty shot back. “Don’t dawdle. This process is somewhat extensive and we are tight on time.”
“Damn,” I said, patting my jacket as I caught up to him. “I left my library card at home. Are you sure she will see me?”
“Do you actively practice this thing you call humor?”
“It’s part of the package. Impressive, right?”
“If I were you, I’d return the package and ask for a refund.”
“Oh, the drollarity,” I said. “Seriously, though, how much security are we going to face?”
“A substantial amount,” Monty said, pointing ahead of us. “Observe.”
Four men and three women were walking our way. They were dressed in black suits that almost rivaled Monty’s Zegna flair. I could tell each and every one of the suits was a runed affair. Mages were such fashion divas, really. The energy signature they possessed was staggering to say the least.
“Whoa,” I said, opening my jacket to allow me access to Grim Whisper, just in case things got extra magey. “Who is that?”
“The Archive Guard,” Monty said. “Whatever you do, don’t draw your weapon or make any sudden movements.”
“Got it,” I said, looking at the Guard. “They look serious. How did they know we were here?”
“Sophisticated runic sensing devices situated throughout the property,” Monty said, without looking at me. “They were aware of our presence the moment we stepped into the park.”
“This Guard is strong,” I said, sensing their energy signatures. “Right up there with Paul Bunyan and your sorcerer security team at Haven.”
“Possibly stronger,” Monty said. “They are the first line of defense for the Auer. To become an Archive Guard is no small feat. Many die in the attempt. Do not antagonize them.”
“Right, I’m not really looking to fight The Magnificent Seven here,” I said under my breath as the Archive Guard approached and spread out. “I’ll let you do the talking. Go, unleash that diplomacy.”
“That is my intent,” Monty said, taking a few more steps forward and stopping ahead of me. “Stay close, but try to look less menacing. Whatever you do, do not allow your creature to smile. They’ll think it wants to eat them.”
I let my arms hang by my side as I patted Peaches’ immense head.
<Sit, boy. These people are just security. They’re protecting a place we need to visit.>
<Can I bite them?>
<No, we need to get inside this place without a fight.>
<I’m not going to fight, just bite. Maybe a small chew?>
<No biting or chewing of any kind. Let’s just let Monty talk to them. If they attack, then you can bite them.>
<If I bite them, they can’t attack. Frank says it’s better to be pre-empty and attack first. I haven’t eaten in so long, I feel empty. If I attack, will they have sausage?>
<It’s preemptive, and no, they don’t have sausage. Do not attack them unless they attack us first, no matter what Frank says.>
<Are you saying Frank is wrong?>
<On so many levels.>
<How many levels? Frank doesn’t like to jump around much. His legs are too small.>
<What I’m saying is: I’m your bondmate, Frank isn’t. No biting unless I say so.>
<Can the angry man make some meat later?>
<As long as you behave, I don’t see why not.>
Four of the Archive Guard stopped walking and remained some distance away. The remaining three closed the distance with the two on either side stopping about half way between the four rear guard and Monty, letting who I assumed to be the leader approach us alone.
Their formation and situational awareness were excellent. These were trained mages, and it showed.
As they spread out, they made sure each of the Guard had a clear line of sight on Monty and me, without endangering one another. They were relaxed and alert. Their training was top notch, which meant they were a threat to be taken seriously.
“Who’s that?” I asked under my breath as the center mage approached. “She feels dangerous.”
“Because she is,” Monty said, keeping his focus on the woman. “She is the Captain of the Guard.”
Monty stepped forward a few steps as the Captain of the Guard approached. She was tall, dark, and menacing. Her tanned skin contrasted nicely with the rose-colored blouse she wore under the basic, black-on-black mage funeral ensemble. She had what I liked to call “tuning fork” energy.
The very air around her vibrated with the promise of violence. Everything about her
