“What about Douglas?” the Auer asked. “What are his motivations?”
“Unknown,” Monty said. “It’s evident he dislikes Simon, but is not above using guilt tactics to manipulate him. I don’t understand his motivation, and that concerns me.”
“As it should,” Jean said. “Like Roma mentioned, I’m not omniscient, nor can I foretell the future. I can predict outcomes based on past events, but all that is, is an educated guess.”
“The present is formed in the past, and the present shapes the future,” Monty said. “Except when it doesn’t.”
“Precisely, or rather imprecisely, put,” Jean said. “Simon, if I give you this information, will you still meet with Shadow Company?”
“Yes,” I said. “I need to close this part of my past.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I still have to do this,” I said. “Shadow Company doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. The next time they contact me, it won’t be polite. You don’t know these people; the first knock is soft, the second time they use C4.”
“I’m somewhat familiar with their methods,” Jean said with a smile. “It comes with the position.”
“Oh, damn,” I said, realizing she probably knew more about Shadow Company than I would ever know. “Sorry, I keep forgetting…”
“Are you putting yourself in danger by providing this information?” Monty asked. “I’m certain we can try another method if this act endangers you.”
“You could try,” Jean said, “but you won’t find the location you need before your meeting tonight.”
“Not without your resources, no,” Monty agreed. “I respect your power and ability, but I,—we—have no wish to cause you…”
“What he’s trying to say,” I interrupted, “is that we don’t want your helping us to come back and bite you in the ass. What if the dragons get pissed because you revealed their location?”
“Simon,” Monty began, “this is the Auer. A modicum of respect is warranted.”
“Exactly,” I said, focusing on Jean, “She’s the Auer. I bet she’s heard curse words we haven’t even discovered, right? Can you share some?”
The Auer chuckled as she stood.
“Follow me, please,” she said and started walking down one of the rows of bookcases. “I have a formidable Archive Guard and am not without my own defenses. If the dragons wish to pay me a visit of violence, they will not be disappointed.”
“How would they even know?” I asked as we walked by several bookcases. “It’s not like we’re going to tell them.”
“Yes, you will.”
I stared at the Auer for a few seconds.
“No, we won’t,” I said, letting the anger seep into my words. “That’s not who we are, especially if we know it would endanger you.”
“Be that as it may,” Jean said, “you will reveal where you obtained your information. I will make certain of it.”
At this point I could barely follow what she was talking about. I remained silent for all of three seconds out of respect.
“What do you mean?” I blurted suddenly as we kept walking. “You want them to come here and roast you? Have you faced a dragon? They’re nice until they want to barbecue you to ash.”
She stopped walking and pointed down one of the bookcases.
“You let me worry about that,” Jean said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Remember, dragons, like any other powerful being of magic, only respect one thing…”
“Power,” I finished. “They respect power.”
“Correct,” she said. “You need to go to the Balfour TINY and speak to Gant. Tell him, and only him, that Magnus would like a word. He will facilitate the rest.”
“The tiny what?” I asked. “Are we shrinking now?”
“The TINY is where you’re going to need to go.”
“We need to go tiny? Am I the only one not understanding here?”
“Yes,” Monty said. “Let her finish.”
“There you will meet Gant. You will speak to him.”
“Are we looking at another duel?” I asked. “Just want to know what to expect.”
“You’re dealing with dragons,” Auer said. “Expect the unexpected. Be wary. When they place an arm around your shoulder to befriend you, always look for the concealed dagger. Do not trust them. Always remember that, to them, you are insignificant—a tool to be used and discarded. If Magnus wants to meet the slayer of his enclave sister, it is only to determine how best to remove you from existence.”
“That’s a cheerful thought. Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome,” Jean said, then turned to Monty. “As for you, stop being such a mage. Get over yourself. Go tell that woman how you feel, before you lose the opportunity.”
I had never seen Monty turn that particular shade of red before. He struggled for a few seconds to find the words, before composing himself.
“Thank you,” he said with a slight nod. “I will certainly take that into consideration.”
“You do that,” the Auer said, pointing again. “That will take you back to your vehicle. Once there, you will have the location you need. Come visit me when you’re not pressed for time.”
“We will,” Monty said and headed down the row bookcases. “Thank you, again.”
I watched him take a few steps and then disappear in a blue flash.
“Is that a teleportation bookcase?” I asked warily, eyeing the bookcase. “I’m not a big fan of teleportation. Maybe I could just go back the way we came?”
The Auer laughed.
“Your bonds are reconciled; teleportation should not be an issue for you, unless you make it one,” she said, gently pushing me by the shoulder. “One more thing: please be vigilant with Tristan.”
“What? Why?”
“I accepted his answer to the duel question because that is what he believes,” the Auer said. “That doesn’t mean it’s the truth. You need to find out the true answer.”
“This is Monty you’re talking about,” I said. “I think I’d rather take my chances fighting the dragons—unarmed.”
“You underestimate your power,” the Auer said, as a soft blue glow flashed across her eyes. “You are a shieldbearer.”
“I know. It means I have to keep him
