Gasping for air, they lean against a wall. "What was that kid screaming about?" Marya looks down on their escape route to ensure they have not been followed.
"I don't know," Vaughn pushes off the wall.
Putting her hands in her jacket pockets, Marya asks, "Who are they?"
Evolet composes herself, "The woman's name is Auset. She is the bar owner, and the screaming boy is her son, Koa."
"So," Marya lifts an eyebrow, "is that normal for them?"
Evolet shakes her head, "No, that was a first." Moving away from the wall, "but it doesn't matter now. He is waiting."
Vaughn nods, "lead the way."
They follow Evolet down a dark alley through a nondescript door. Their world instantly transforms as they stand in a waiting room that exudes opulence, its dark wood paneling and plush leather chairs bathed in the warm glow of a crystal chandelier. Evolet strides across the thick Persian rug, her footsteps muffled, to an ornate antique writing table. She runs her fingers over its polished surface before sliding the drawer open, retrieving surgical masks and gloves. The air smells of aged paper, polished mahogany, and whispered intrigue. She smiles, placing gloves and masks down, "Put these on, please."
Vaughn does not hesitate. When Charlie and Marya take a pause, he glances at them, "Come on, you heard the lady." Marya and Charlie exchange a look. Vaughn's tone becomes stern: " Remember what we talked about." Marya makes an audible sigh as she applies the mask.
"Okay," Evolet clapped her gloved hands, "you are ready to see the boss!" The rear door creaks open, revealing an extravagant office soaked in golden light. A blue-eyed man in a dark top hat and a sleek mask stands behind a grand mahogany desk, his presence commanding. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the walls, filled with leather-bound tomes and curiosities. The air is thick with the scent of old paper and polished wood.
"Welcome," Sterlyn sits, intertwining his leather gloved fingers, leaning forward on bent elbows. "You are traveling with new companions."
"Hey, Sterlyn," Vaughn's tone is chipper. Pointing with his thumb, "You should get to know them. You will be seeing a lot of them, I am sure." Sterlyn's eyes narrow. "This is Marya, and the guy with the glasses is Charlie."
"Don't touch that!" Sterlyn snaps. Charlie pauses from tapping the spine of a book. "This room has already been cleaned three times today and will have to be sterilized once you depart."
Marya's head tilts. As she is about to respond, Vaughn interjects, "How about you give us what we came here for."
Sterlyn groans, "quite right." Motioning his arm, "Ms. Evolet, if you please." Sliding a drawer open, she placed a book concealed in cloth on the desk. "Feel free to verify."
"Charlie," Vaughn nudges his head, "take a look." Charlie nods, moving to inspect the item.
Lifting the edges of the cloth, the disturbing silence is interrupted by the sound of a crinkling wrapper unraveling. Charlie leisurely flips the pages as Evolet loudly removes the large, round, hard candy. Sterlyn trembles, fisting his palms as she lifts her mask, placing the candy in her mouth.
"Sir," Charlie holds the back cover of the book. "How did you get this?" His eyes shift to his companions, "This is a…."
"So, it is authentic?" Vaughn interrupts.
Charlie's brow creases, "Yes, but…" he turns his attention to Sterlyn. About to ask him a question, he takes a step back.
As the candy wrapper touches the floor, Sterlyn leaps from his chair. "Ms. Evolet!" she turns to him with smiling eyes, mockingly covering her mouth. "How many times have I told you?"
"Oops," she replies flirtatiously, "sorry boss."
Sterlyn stomps to the wrapper, picking it up. "The whole office will have to be sterilized!"
Vaughn steps up next to Charlie, whispering, "It's legit."
"It's a Library Book," Charlie whispers back. "How?"
With a firm expression, Vaughn shakes his head. In a friendly voice, "Well, it sounds like you two have a lot going on. Thanks for your business. We will be going now." Charlie covers the book, picking it up. Shrieks and squeals emit from the office as they leave.
"That was," Marya looks over her shoulder at the nondescript door, "an experience."
"Mr. Vaughn," Charlie holds the book firmly under his arm. "Please explain. This should not…."
"Not here."
"It appears we have drawn some attention," Marya steps up to the other side of Charlie.
"Nah," Vaughn's shoulders relax, "those are just kids. Watch your pockets, though."
Charlie thumbs through the pages as they pull into the Consortium dock. He traces the symbol of the library embossment on the back cover with his fingers. "Mr. Vaughn, how is this book outside the library?"
Vaughn turns the wheel, "The Library is 1000 years old. There have been instances in which the library has been raided or items have gone missing. When we acquire information on the whereabouts of unaccounted library materials, we take action to reacquire them."
"How much is missing?" Marya turns a dial.
Vaughn sighs, "Honestly, it is hard to say."
"Why would anyone want to take anything from the library?" Charlie closes the book, "I know the books and artifacts are valuable but the risk of being exposed. If the World Government were to find out."
Vaughn looks back at him, "That is why we take it so seriously. Someday, we aspire to give this resource back to the world, but until that day comes, we are tasked with keeping this knowledge safe. It is hard to say what motivates people to risk so much, little brother." He smiles, "We just have to do our best and hope that is enough."
Charlie places the book in front of Nanette. Inspecting the back cover, she says, "Good work."
"If that is all…"
"You have another assignment," Knox interrupts. Vaughn shifts on his feet, crossing his arms. "Sorry, but you are the only available team." Knox lifts a piece of paper and holds it with two fingers. "You need to leave immediately for an emergency rescue from Rommel Kingdom." Vaughn purses his lips as he takes the paper. "It's an academic and one other."
"Is there a guardian with them?" Marya asks.
Knox shakes his head, "No, somehow, they were separated. The guardian is in the infirmary."
Marya is about to ask another question when Vaughn says, "Understood. We will go right now."