Zira and Clary quickly made it out of the tunnel and back into the library. Clary closed the bookcase and they ran for the door. Right before they got there, they saw the doorknob rattling. They bumped into each other trying to hide before the door opened. Zira hid behind the statue and Clary hid behind a bookcase as Lana walked through the door.
“How do I keep losing that stupid key,” Lana mumbled to herself as she made her way to the secret tunnel. Lana stopped when the bookcase opened and Percy walked through. “Percy? What are you doing out here?”
“Did you just come out of here,” Percy asked.
“No, I came to check on Lily?”
Zira looked at Clary and mouthed, “Lily?”
“Wait,” Clary mouthed back.
“Someone was here just now. I thought it was you but…” Percy stopped and lifted his nose to sniff the air. “Zira? Her scent is here.”
“Really Percy?”
“What? I can smell her. There’s nothing weird about that.”
Lana laughed. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed your affection towards her. It’s nauseating. Besides, she was here earlier.”
Percy whined. “I don’t like all this sneaking around, Lana. I just think I should tell her the truth. Maybe she can help us with this book.”
Lana sighed. “How, Percy? You’ve been guarding this book for decades and the only person who has gotten anything out of it is her son. What could she possibly do?”
Percy smiled. “You underestimate her, Lana. She is more…she is…”
“Don’t say it.”
“.... related to Niamh somehow. I mean look at them.”
“They are…vaguely similar,” Lana grimaced.
“All I’m saying is that the last time that book was opened was when Niamh had it. Maybe…”
Lana groaned. “AH! I don’t want to know your silly theories. I just want you to find another way to open the book, so I can politely kick that she-wolf out of my pack and laugh like it’s the greatest gift in the world.” Zira scoffed out loud before covering her mouth. “Did you hear that?”
Zira mentally slapped herself in the face. Silence filled the room quickly as Zira gave Clary a questioning look. She motioned for Zira to come to her. Zira was about to make a move when she saw Malachi walking down the aisle towards the statue. She planted her back against it and motioned to Clary with her head about her company. Clary seemed to understand and disappeared around the corner. Zira waited for a few moments before realizing…
She left me, Zira thought, knowing it was only going to take a minute or so before Malachi reached her. At this point, she debated about just showing herself. She peeked around the other side of the statue and she saw Lana leaning against the door with her arms crossed. Her eyes searched in the dark.
Well, there goes that option, Zira thought, trying to figure out a way around this.
She could hear Malachi’s footsteps getting closer and she closed her eyes trying to force herself to step out in the open. She would rather do that than give him the satisfaction of catching her. Right before she did, she felt a hand on her wrist, then on her mouth to keep her quiet. It was Clary. Zira was about to remove Clary’s hand and speak when she turned her head and noticed Malachi looking right at her.
Zira’s eyes went wide, staring at his confused look. He didn’t say anything, just sniffed and stared like she was a painting on the wall. No, more like she was invisible. She looked at Clary, who nodded as if she knew the question in Zira’s mind. Malachi looked around once more before continuing down the aisle. Zira turned to Clary and noticed a glow under her shirt. She wanted to say something, but Clary grabbed her wrist and hurried them to the back of the library.
“I know a way out,” Clary whispered.
“Can’t we just walk by them while we’re invisible?”
“No, it’s not going to work on everyone and, besides, my sister is blocking the door,” Clary said as they crouched down.
Clary ran her hands along the wall until she heard a click. She quietly pushed the wall aside and went through with Zira following behind her. The space was enough for them to crawl through. Zira followed behind Clary as they moved along the many turns and corners. For a moment, Zira caught the scent of Arias going the opposite way. Was Arias here? She started to move towards it.
“Hey,” Clary interrupted her, “this way.”
Zira forced herself to follow Clary instead and they came out into a small room.
“I don’t understand,” Zira said, getting to her feet. “If you have another way to get into the library, why steal the key?”
“For fun, of course,” Clary laughed, “and because for some reason you can only get through the wall if it’s opened from the other side. Though I’ve found the library is the only place that has that problem. Anyway, welcome to the Hatchet Room.”
“Hatchet Room? Nice, I guess.” Zira looked around the room. It was plain with very little furnishings. The one thing that stood out was a photo wall of the Elders and the Alpha King with each photo displaying tiny little holes in them.
“Admiring my artwork, I hope,” Clary said with a smile. Zira laughed a little before clearing her throat.
“Not many people like the Elders, I being one of them, but the Alpha King?”
Clary laughed harshly as she walked over to a table holding a few knives. She picked up one and twirled it in her fingers. “The monarch is probably the worst of them all. Claiming that he represents and protects all werewolves. Hmph. Like that ever helped us.”
Clary threw the knife and it sank perfectly into the Alpha King’s face. Zira laughed nervously, moving away from the wall of photos.
“Well, with you being so close, there’s better protection for white wolves. Right?”
Clary sighed heavily. “Sure. It’s nice being trapped inside with a pretend sense of freedom. Do you know what that feels like? Forced to stay in one place for a long time. Nothing you say or do can change it.”
Zira empathized, thinking about what she went through during her pregnancy. She wouldn’t wish that kind of confinement on anyone.
“My town,” Clary continued, “was attacked often. There were only a hundred or so of us. Not too far from here. Lana and I were two of the three white wolves left in the pack after the attacks. Mother Essie was the third. Our parents were killed when we were not much older than Arias now. Mother Essie took us in, and Lana treated me like her little sister. The Alpha of our pack was weak and refused to ask the Alpha King for help, but his Luna did it instead. Still, there was no help and we kept losing members. So, when I got older, I decided to take things into my own hands. I used my power to protect my pack and what did they do? They shun me.”
She laughed, picking up another knife. “I saved them, and they looked at me like I was the monster. They looked at all of us like we were monsters, and they basically forced us to leave. I was forced away from the only thing I could call my home,” she said, throwing the knife into another member’s photo. “Sorry. This is my therapy.”
“Oh of course,” Zira said. “Nothing says de-stress like throwing knives at the higher power.” Zira looked around for her possible emergency exits. She has dealt with enough crazy women to learn how to get away from them.
“Lana worked with Councilman Faulkner to build this place and the Alpha King agreed only if we created it nearby. Like he wanted all of us in one place. Packed like a can of sardines.”
“You can always leave, Clary. You can find a pack that will protect you. Hell, you can come to ours,” Zira suggested.
Clary smiled. Despite her tone earlier, it looked genuine and warm, as if Zira said something precious.
“That’s sweet. Ignorant but sweet. I mean, you don't even belong to that pack. You’re still a rogue and I heard you refuse to be their Luna-”
“That’s not true,” Zira said haughtily before realizing she was yelling. “I’m sorry. I mean it’s complicated but I’m fixing it.”
Clary held up her hands. “Of course. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Zira cleared her throat. “So, I’m guessing talking to the Alpha King about loosening the reins is out of the question?”
Clary sighed heavily. “There’s no way the monarch would allow powers like ours to go unsanctioned and there’s no way for us to exist with normal wolves without being treated like the enemy. When you break it down, there’s no way we can coexist.”
Coexist? Zira didn’t have time to think about what Clary said when another knife greeted another photo.
“I love my sister, Zira,” Clary said, “but there’s something going on here and everything is pointing to that book.”
“Lana and Councilman Faulkner were adamant about opening it,” Zira wondered out loud.
“Right,” Clary agreed. “But why now?”
“And why were those werewolves strapped in those beds,” Zira asked no one in particular. “Then there’s Percy?”
“We just need to figure out what they’re doing and why they need that book. Maybe then we might be able to stop whatever they are planning.”
Zira laughed. “Sounds like you want to steal the book?”
Clary shrugged her shoulders. “I’m just saying if the book happens to disappear long enough for people to see what’s inside it, it might help.”
Zira stared at Clary for a minute or so. Maybe she was right. Maybe stealing the book would thwart whatever plans Lana or Councilman Faulkner has for it.
“Well, I should go. My mate has abandonment issues,” Zira laughed. “My fault entirely. So, I don’t want him waking up without me there…again.” Zira turned to walk to the door.
“Hey,” Clary said, following her to the door. “Be careful, OK? I’m sure after tonight she’ll beef up security a bit.”
Zira walked through the door before stopping. “If I agree on stealing the book, what would you suggest I do to get it done?”
Clary smiled as she led Zira to the door. “Just…be yourself and keep my sister distracted. I’ll handle the rest.”