In front of me was an impossibly large maze of a room. Bookshelves extended for what appeared to be miles in every direction. There were display cases along the center aisle. If it hadn't been impossible, I would have suspected that they held objects like the Ark of the Covenant and the Spear of Destiny – but that was impossible.

"–as, as magic," I finished with a gasp.

Charlene was unconcerned as she continued to explain. "The library contains ancient knowledge and ensures that magic, real magic, doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

I stared out at the maze. I was trained to trust what I saw, but although I could see clearly, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "This is... this is real?"

"You got the white envelope, an invitation to join the library, which means the library needs your expertise. Welcome to the secret world, Colonel Baird. Welcome to the library."

I was about to speak, although I had no idea what I was going to say, when I heard the pounding of running feet. The man from Berlin appeared from an aisle of shelves. He was followed by... a sword? That was flying?

"Charlene! Charlene, I think Cal's gone mad," he exclaimed. "He thinks there's a strange woman in the library–"

He saw me and stopped in his tracks. After a few seconds of staring at me, he jerked his head in my direction. Before I could move, the flying sword was at my throat. Charlene yelled from behind me, "Excalibur, no! She's here to help!"

I put up a hand to defend myself. The man shouted, "Don't!" I froze, hand still in the air, sword a millimeter from my throat. I didn't dare to breathe.

"Wounds caused by Excalibur never heal," he went on, approaching me slowly. "Magic." He motioned to the sword. "Cal, go on patrol. I'll meet you."

My definition of impossible was rapidly changing. Otherwise, I would never have considered the idea that the sword seemed to be protesting as it flew away. I openly gawked at it.

"Colonel Baird, meet Flynn Carson, the librarian," Charlene said from behind me.

"We've – we've met. T-t-that's Excalibur." I pointed after its retreating form. "You call Excalibur 'Cal'?"

"We're friends. Best friends. Besties, really." He looked over my shoulder at Charlene. "I told you I was not to be disturbed. I'm trying to solve a murder. And what are you doing here?" he asked, abruptly switching his attention back to me.

I didn't know how to reply; I was still recovering from having Excalibur at my throat. I held up the white envelope. He snatched it from my hand. "Why would you send her that?" he asked Charlene, clearly annoyed.

"I don't send the invitations," she retorted. "The library does. The library sends the invitations." She smiled at him, the same smile she'd given me when I asked what a guardian was. "I believe Colonel Baird has been chosen to be your guardian."

Although I still wasn't sure I was interested in this "guardian" thing, I straightened my shoulders and looked Flynn in the eye. I could do it if I wanted to – whatever it was.

Flynn startled me by laughing in my face. It was a strange laugh – there was no humor in it, only irritation and desperation. "I don't need a guardian!" he told me. "You hear that?" he called to the library at large. "I don't need her! I'm fine!"

He turned in a circle, then stopped to face me. "I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding," he said, trying to look conciliatory and failing. "I'm sorry, I really don't have time for this right now. Good-bye – don't come back."

With that, he swept away down one of the aisles of shelves, but not before picking up a sword from a table and brandishing it at me. "Don't come back."

Since Eve is appearing the day after she did in the series, I figured Flynn would be even more desperate. That'll show up in the next few chapters as well. 3 chapters to go! Thanks to DU47259 for reviewing - I love this fandom too!