She heard them. They didn't know she was there, hiding behind the bookcase, but she heard. When she realized what had to happen, she knew that this was reason the Library chose her. It was Flynn and Eve speaking in hushed tones. The Eye of Ra, Apep, pure evil, sacrifice. Sacrifice. A life. Flynn was prepared to make that sacrifice for everyone. Eve did not want to hear it.
"There has to be another way" Eve argued. Flynn knew better though. Sometimes there are no loop holes. Sometimes we don't get our happy endings. Flynn stayed silent to her comment, just looking down at his clenched hands, not being able to look Eve in the face after what he just told her. Eve glanced at Jenkins, who stood silently in the room, for support. When push comes to shove, Jenkins always sides with Eve. They make it work. They do the impossible. This is no different, Eve thought.
But this time, Jenkins stayed quiet. There was no voice of support, no talking Flynn out of it, no offering of alternatives. Jenkins knows when prices have to be paid. When fate is inevitable. Being immortal has taught him that much. He has lived too much, seen too much, lost too much. It is why he secluded himself in the Annex. It was easier. Simpler. Safer. And then suddenly Flynn, Eve, Cassandra, Jacob, and Ezekiel came barging into his life. Ever since then, his life changed and he let himself care about people again. Care about mortals again. And now this. The moment he knew was inevitable for mortals. He just never thought Flynn would have to go so soon. But he knew there was nothing to do. Nothing to change.
Eve huffed and looked directly at Flynn, "You are not dying for us. I will not let that happen."
Cassandra turned down the hall of Annex, hearing all she had to. She knew everyone. She knew that when the moment came everyone would volunteer to die. Eve stepping in front of Flynn, Ezekiel in front of Eve, Jake in front of him. All arguing to be the sacrifice. All willing to die for their friends and everyone else arguing that they would never let that happen. They'd all die before they let another die for them. It is just who they are. Librarians. Friends. Family.
But Cassandra knew better. She saw the irony. Her life. The Library picking her. The purpose. Her purpose. She took the Eye of Ra from its shelf and threw it over her neck. The clippings book showed the latest activity of Apep right over a powerful convergence of ley lines. When everyone was asleep, she fired up the back door. Cassandra almost called out, she almost stopped, she almost closed the door, she almost stayed with her family, but those were all luxuries she couldn't afford. So with one last glance, she stepped through the door.