A low growl ripped through the air.
The guy stopped. His head snapped left, then right, as he tried to figure out where the sound had come from. After a second, he shrugged it off as just his imagination and started up the steps again.
Once more, a low growl sounded.
The guy took a step back, suddenly uncertain. The growl kept going and going, like a rumbling train getting a little louder and a little closer with each passing second. His friends also looked around, confused by what was happening. I was the only one who noticed that the eyes of the gryphon statue had narrowed to slits and that its angry gaze was fixed on the guy in front of me.
The guy looked at me, and I casually crossed my arms across my chest and leaned against the statue. He stared at me, and I glared right back at him.
"She's not worth it," he finally muttered to his friends. "Let's get out of here. I'm freezing my ass off."
Grumbling, the guys headed the opposite direction across the quad. I stood in my tough-girl pose until they were out of sight, then I sighed and slumped against the gryphon.
"Thank you for that," I whispered.
The side of the gryphon's mouth curled up, almost like it was smiling. I patted it on the head, then turned to go inside the library.
Alexei, who'd been hanging back through all of this, finally stepped forward. He gave me a strange look, as if he couldn't believe that I was talking to a statue, but at this point, I didn't care what he thought of me.
"You can stand out here in the cold if you want, but I'm going inside the library where it's warm," I said, walking away.
I reached the doors that led inside the library and looked over my shoulder. Alexei was following me, although he was striding up the exact center of the steps, giving the gryphon statues suspicious looks and as wide a berth as he possibly could. For the first time today, a smile pulled up my lips.
Maybe there was something to be said for creepy statues after all.
Chapter 9
I went inside the building, walked down a hallway, and stepped through the open double doors into the main space of the Library of Antiquities.
With its seven stories, the library was the largest building on campus, and it simply had the biggest and best of everything-the widest balconies, the tallest towers, the most lifelike statues. And it was just as impressive inside as it was on the outside. The main room was shaped like an enormous dome that let folks on the first floor gaze up at each one of the library's many levels. Supposedly, the curved ceiling featured amazing frescoes, images of great mythological battles, embellished with layers of gold, silver, and sparkling jewels. But I'd never been up to the top level to look for myself, and all I could see from the ground floor were shadows. Maybe it was better that way, since the statues of the gods were already staring at me.
The second floor of the library featured a balcony that boasted white marble statues of all the gods and goddesses from all the cultures of the world. Egyptian deities like Ra and Anubis. Norse gods like Odin and Thor. Native American figures like the Coyote Trickster and Rabbit. The only god who wasn't featured in the circular pantheon was Loki, and there was an empty spot where his statue would have been.
After seeing the evil god in person, I was glad there wasn't a statue of him here or anywhere else on campus. He terrorized my dreams enough already, his one red eye burning into both of mine. I already had to live with the sick knowledge of how I'd failed everyone. I didn't need to look up and see Loki's twisted face grinning down at me, another reminder of the horror I'd unleashed and the death and destruction that he and his Reapers of Chaos were planning.
Instead of going down the main aisle toward the checkout counter, I headed back into the stacks. Alexei followed me, still as silent as a shadow. I kept going until I came to a familiar, remote spot, then looked up. Nike's statue stood right above me.
The Greek goddess of victory looked the same as she always did. A toga-like gown wrapping around her body, ringlets of hair falling past her slim shoulders, wings peeking up over her back, a crown of laurels resting on her head. Every time I came into the library, I took a moment to walk back here and speak to the goddess. It seemed like the polite thing to do.
"Well, here I am in trouble again," I murmured. "But I'm sure you already know all about it. You always seem to know everything. Want to give me some clue as to how I can get out of this? Without being executed?"
But of course, she didn't answer me. Like the other gods, Nike only appeared to mortals on her own terms, and I was no different, despite the fact that I was her Champion. She was rather mysterious-and annoying-that way.
Then again, the goddess was probably busy trying to fix the mess I'd made by not stopping Vivian from freeing Loki. Nike had told me that there was a war coming, one we all needed to prepare for, including the gods. But how could I help her win a war when I was in danger of losing everything?
"Anyway, I'm going to go to work now. But if you want to drop by the checkout counter later, well, I'll be there, just like always," I told the statue. "Just don't let Nickamedes see you. He'd probably tell you that togas aren't allowed in the library or something silly like that. You know how he is."
The statue's lips lifted up into a smile at my words. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel a little better, like Nike knew exactly what was going on and she hadn't forgotten about me. Like she was watching out for me. Like she knew that everything was going to be okay in the end.
Alexei gave me a wary look, obviously thinking I had a serious case of the cray-cray and was off my rocker for talking to yet another statue, but I ignored him and headed to the main part of the library. As soon as I stepped out of the stacks, all eyes turned to me, and the students sitting at the study tables put their heads together and started whispering. I squared my shoulders, lifted my chin, and pretended I didn't even see them, much less realize that they were talking and texting about me.
"I can't believe she actually showed her face here."
"What is she thinking?"
"Doesn't she know that everyone hates her?"
I snorted at that last comment. Oh yeah. I knew exactly how much everyone despised me, since they'd all made it so abundantly clear all day long.
I stepped behind the long checkout counter that divided the library in two and slung my messenger bag down into its usual spot. I turned to Alexei and pointed to a stool at the far end of the counter."You can sit over there," I said. "It'll be more comfortable than standing around while I work."
Instead of moving over to the stool, he crossed his arms over his chest and took up a spot by the door that led into the glass complex where the librarians had their offices. Definitely a silent, stubborn shadow. Ah, well. I'd tried.
I put Alexei out of my mind as I plopped down onto my own stool. A few seconds later, a door behind me squeaked open, and Nickamedes stepped out of the office complex. The librarian looked at me, then did a double take, as if he was surprised to see me.
"Gwendolyn? What are you doing here?" He looked down and checked his watch. "It's not even five o'clock. You're early. You are never early."
I bit my tongue to keep from sniping at him. I didn't always show up exactly on time for my library shifts. Okay, okay, so I was almost always late, but only because I snuck off campus to go see Grandma Frost. I got here eventually. But apparently, my being on time was more of a shock than I'd realized because he kept right on talking about it.
"Not once, in all the months you've been working here, have you ever been early. On time, occasionally. Late, excessively. But never, ever early." Nickamedes's eyes narrowed. "What are you up to?"
My jaw clenched. Even when I did the right thing, he still gave me grief over it. Sometimes, I thought the librarian and I were just destined to disagree.
"I thought you might need some extra help today," I said through gritted teeth. "But if you don't want me here, I can always leave and came back later. Much later, like I normally do. Maybe I'll be so late that I won't show up until tomorrow."
The librarian frowned. "Well, if you want to come in early today, I suppose it will make up for one of the times you've been late in the past. But only one. I keep a record, you know."
Of course he did. Nickamedes was just that kind of obsessive control freak. Despite the fact that there were other librarians, Nickamedes was almost always here working. I wondered if he ever took a day off. I doubted it. Someone might shelve a book in the wrong place if he wasn't here to watch over everything.
His tone was just as snarky as mine was, but after a moment his features softened a bit. "And if any of the students have any particular problems this evening, you come and get me immediately. Do you understand?"
I nodded. I knew exactly what problems he was talking about-the ones everybody had with me now.
"And you." He fixed Alexei with a stern stare. "Your job is to protect Gwendolyn, not just watch her like a hawk. I suggest you do that, rather than standing by like a rock as you've been doing. The Protectorate isn't the only one with eyes and ears around campus."
Alexei flushed a little. "I'm just doing what the Protectorate has told me to do."
Nickamedes arched a black eyebrow. "Really? Because I thought the Protectorate was in the business of protecting the students here-not letting them be hurt, abused, and bullied by their classmates."
So the librarian had heard how the other kids had been treating me. No surprise there. You'd have to be blind not to see the anger simmering in everyone's eyes whenever they looked at me. Still, Nickamedes's concern touched me. The librarian and I didn't always get along, but I knew that he cared about me in his own way.
"I'm fine," I said. "I can fight my own battles. That's what Champions do, right?"
Nickamedes stared at me. After a moment, he nodded. "That you can, Gwendolyn. But sometimes it doesn't hurt to have someone watching your back. Someone who actually cares."
He gave Alexei another pointed look, then went back into the office complex.
Hot tears pricked my eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time today. Now, even Nickamedes was being nice to me, which told me exactly how much trouble I was in. I wondered what would happen tomorrow during my trial and how the Protectorate would ultimately rule. Would they agree that I'd been fooled by Vivian? Or would they think that I'd helped her? That I'd freed Loki on purpose?
I didn't know the answers to my questions, and I knew that worrying would just drive me crazy. Well, crazier. So I logged on to one of the library computers, determined to get to work and not think about the Protectorate, Vivian, or Loki.
As I glanced out at the study tables in front of the checkout counter, I realized that all the students were looking at me once again. I looked from one face to another, and they all met my gaze with hard, flat stares, anger glimmering in their eyes and radiating off their bodies.
I sighed. It was going to be a long, long night.
I spent the next hour sitting at the checkout counter-alone. No one came over to find out where a book was shelved. No one asked me to track down reference material. No one needed any help at all. Instead, the other students just sat and stared at me, whispering to each other. In a way, it was worse than it had been at breakfast, since the library was one of the places where kids came to Hang Out and Be Seen.
Just as many students were here as had been in the dining hall this morning, and with me sitting behind the checkout counter, it was almost like I was on display for everyone to glare at. More than a few kids walked by the counter and muttered curses at me under their breath. Some were bolder and spoke loudly enough for everyone at the study tables to hear.
Apparently, it became some sort of game because after the kids passed by me, they went back to their seats, high-fiving and fist-bumping with their friends, before they all dissolved into fits of laughter. My cheeks burned, but I ignored them as best I could. Behind me, Alexei stood against the wall, his face as expressionless as ever. He could give Coach Ajax a run for his money in the stoic department.
Since no one was going to come over to the counter to ask me for help, I decided to shelve books. That way, I wouldn't be a sitting duck, and the other kids would actually have to get up and make an effort in order to glare at me. So I grabbed one of the metal carts and pushed it back into the stacks. The wheels squeak-squeak-squeaked the whole time, but I didn't care. All I wanted to do right now was get away from the other kids and their anger. At least for a few minutes.
But there was no escaping Alexei. He followed me into the stacks and stayed right behind me, just like always.
"Geez," I muttered. "Don't you ever take a break?"
Alexei arched an eyebrow, but he didn't say anything. Of course he didn't. I was a dangerous Reaper criminal. His job was to watch me, not talk to me.
I ignored Alexei as best I could as I pushed the cart through the stacks. I actually didn't mind shelving books because it gave me an opportunity to look at all the artifacts on display.
The Library of Antiquities was full of, well, antiquities. Armor, weapons, jewelry, clothes, and more that gods, goddesses, warriors, and mythological creatures had used over the centuries they'd been battling each other. Hundreds of glass cases stood inside the library, each one containing something different. Like a pair of talon-tipped gloves that had been worn by Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess. Or a gold coin that had come from the treasure trove of Andvari, a dwarf in Norse mythology.
When I'd first come to Mythos, I thought all the artifacts and the plaques and cards that told about their histories, users, and supposed magic had been kind of lame, but now I thought they were some of the most interesting things on campus. Besides, tonight, reading about other warriors and their possessions gave me a much-needed escape from my own problems.