The Book Eaters(14)

“Too far, the hall is closer!” Ramsey yanked her around the central shelves toward the south-side library’s main entrance.

Behind them, the dragons emerged from the side room, taking diverging paths to circle around the shelves. Picking up the pace as they hunted, wolflike.

Devon and Ramsey skirted another freestanding tower of old books, tumbling over each other in a blind panic to escape—

And crashed straight into a knight.

Ramsey rebounded off the broad chest, landing on his backside and pulling Devon with him reflexively. She fell atop her brother, tipping her head up to goggle at the man framed in their library’s main doorway.

The knight peered down, pale eyes gleaming from a clean-shaven face. He was tall and heavyset, wearing a black suit so stiffly pressed it planed like carved granite. The marks on his collar indicated high rank.

“Hello,” Devon said stupidly. She knew this man, though they’d never met: Knight Commander Kingsey Davenport. Everyone knew of this man.

The two dragons darted into view, alert and ever silent. They paused on seeing a knight.

“Obedire, dracones.” Kingsey drew a languid gesture in the air. “Detain eos.”

Both men flowed forward in a blink, one apiece for each child. Devon yelped as enormous hands closed around her biceps, pulling her up and still. Her feet didn’t quite touch the floor. Up close, the dragon smelled of sour sweat and over-starched cotton. His palms sweated against her skin.

All she could think about was that tongue, unhindered by a helmet. How well did dragons obey their knights? She was no longer sure of anything.

Ramsey, also held captive, met her frightened gaze with his frantic one.

“I was told this library would be off-limits to children.” The commander looked them up and down. “How did you get into this room?”

“It was her idea.” Ramsey had the audacity to shoot her a dirty glare, as if he hadn’t agreed to everything. “We came in through the window and—”

Devon returned his glare. “I just wanted to look at them. I was only looking. And my brother chose to come along.” She couldn’t believe he would make it all about her. The utter coward.

“Only a look,” the commander mused. “You are both very lucky that I came back in to check on the dragons, or you would have found this door bolted from the outside. I can’t say for certain what might have happened then.” He rolled broad shoulders. “Redemption takes away the need to feed, but it does not take away the desire to feed. They still hunger for you, for anyone, to feed on. When it has been years and years since they’ve fed, as it has for these two, then the craving is strong.”

“We won’t do it again.” Ramsey sounded almost squeaky. “Will we, Dev?”

“Promise,” she managed.

“Correct. You will not.” Kingsey gestured again. “Obedire, dracones. Desisto. Quiesco.”

The dragons let go. Devon landed on her backside with a thump, Ramsey on his knees with a wince.

“Boys of your age have enormous energy and curiosity,” the commander said, “but breaking into forbidden areas shows extremely concerning tendencies. I think it is urgent that I speak to your patriarch and bring you back with us when the wedding is over. A lad like you needs the discipline of knighthood.”

“You’re … taking me to be a knight?” The color was paling out of Ramsey’s cheeks.

“It was just a mistake,” Devon said in a small voice. “We didn’t mean any harm—”

“Rules exist for a reason,” Kingsey said. “Our rules hold the Families together, keep us safe, and keep order among our kind. Without strict adherence, we risk unraveling. You might view today’s mishap as a small infraction, but I think your behavior speaks to willful disobedience and criminal ingenuity, of the kind that often proves socially problematic.” He added, “And I think your patriarch will agree with me.”

A series of expressions contorted Ramsey’s face, each one leaving him paler and more shaken. He opened his mouth and shut it again.

Shock robbed Devon of her earlier annoyance, leaving her hollow and gutted. She folded over, arms clasped around her middle. They’d only wanted a book or two, a meal different and exciting, fun and outside of the usual fairy tales. Yet the day had somehow spiraled from one tiny mistake into a catastrophe and now, if Ramsey were carted off to be a knight—

“What about her?” Ramsey said, tight and low. “It was her idea, her stupid plan, but you’re only dragging me off?”

“I didn’t mean for this to happen!” she protested. “I never wanted you to—”

“We don’t punish girls,” the commander said, sounding almost regretful. “But I will say this, young lady. When you break Family rules, understand that those you love will bear the brunt of it, even if you yourself do not. Today, your brother has lost his freedom. Tomorrow it may be one of your children, or one of your uncles and aunts, who takes the fall for your actions. For the sake of those around you, stick with the books you are fed and keep to the boundaries you are given.” He rapped her forehead with hard knuckles. “Do you understand?”

She knelt at his feet, cowed by shame.

“Good.” He clicked his fingers, as if they were dogs. Or dragons. “Let’s have a word with your patriarch.”