"And you know where it is?" Dyson said sarcastically gazing at the Mesmer.

Vex waved his hands around to encompass exactly how big the library really was and replied incredulously, "What do you take me for?" The Mesmer said and then, "I have no clue. Ghost!" he calls at the top of his lungs. A teen suddenly appears in front of him from out of the stacks.

Long blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, Pale, creamy skin, glossy, dark gray eyes clear behind glasses. The young woman's bare feet glided silently over the hard wood floors. Blue jeans and a white button down shirt were her uniform. "May I help you gentlemen?" the young blond asked in well modulated tones.

When in a library it is best to ask the librarian when you have a question. My friend has a question for you Ghost," Vex said politely. He stepped back and let Dyson explain to the teenager what he needed.

The werewolf explained, "I'm trying to bring someone I care about back from the dead." The young woman nodded and closed her eyes for a moment before asking, Is the friend an intimate or an acquaintance?"

"An acquaintance whom I wish to make my mate," Dyson replied candidly. The young woman studied him for a moment before she turned on her heel and wove her way into the stacks with easy familiarity.

The cop looked over at the Mesmer who gave him a cheeky grin and with a flourish he indicated that Dyson should follow the blond teen into the stacks. "Ta." Before he disappeared in another direction into the stacks.

Then the werewolf became aware of the other man standing nearby. The man watches him for a few minutes. Dyson gets the distinct impression he is being assessed as a potential threat. Apparently deemed harmless the man follows after the blonde into the stacks and Dyson follows after the pair.

The werewolf notices that the other man follows the young woman, keeping a discreet distance between the two, Far enough to leap to the younger woman's defense if needed but far enough so as not to interfere in her work in the library. It was obvious to Dyson he was watching them, the werewolf may have been deemed not a threat at this time but the other man was still watching closely and keeping a protective eye on the young woman before them.

The man was at least thirty five, had strawberry blond hair and beard, pale blue eyes and spare muscles ranged over a powerfully built frame were obvious from his crossed arms that showed off impressive biceps. The mans legs were impressive and strained against the material of the jeans he wore. Darkly tanned skin showed the signs of battle proudly, he had tattoos here and there. The man wore faded blue jeans and dark colored tee. The boots were military style and though they were polished, scuffs and scars were still apparent on the well broken in leather.

Oddly enough he felt a kindred spirit to the man and couldn't really explain it.

Curious about the young woman and what she was doing, Dyson followed the teen at a distance. He watched as she moved gracefully among the bookshelves retrieving a book here and there. Smoothly pulling the occasional scroll or rolled up piece of parchment from their slots against the wall. When her arms were full (too full Dyson thought) she went to a table nearby and began putting things down carefully.

Then she began arranging them in a certain order and opening them to certain important pages or sections in the book. She then very carefully unrolled the scrolls before huffing in frustration as the scrolls refused to stay where she wanted them.

The older man came carrying what appeared to be weighted flexi-glass discs and positioning them on the scrolls. "Thank you Galen." The librarian continued placing all of the material she had gathered around one chair at the table and then indicated with a wave of her hand that Dyson is to take the chair.

The blond leans over his shoulder and begins to explain the ritual to him. As Vex said there is sex and blood involved in the ritual to bring someone back from the dead. The girl who Dyson realizes probably isn't more than fourteen or fifteen is explaining the difference between two of the herbs he would need to throw on the fire, when he thinks to ask. "Why are you helping me?"

The girl interrupted in mid-explanation, blinks at the shape shifter owlishly for a few seconds before replying looking up at the man she called Galen. Then she glanced around at the library to see if anyone was there beside the four of them.

"We know who you are Mr. Thornwood, Vex actually called ahead to tell us you were coming." She straightened, crossed her arms and said, "Did you know I met Enzi? I was younger, everyone else treated me like a little girl, even for a face. Do you have any idea how old I really am? This is how I will look for centuries yet. Millennial even. She actually treated me like a friend, still visited every month or so."

"Originally she came here to find out if there was a way to defeat the Norn. We became friends. She would actually take me beyond the library, we ate ice cream, had a burger. That sort of thing. "

"Like you, I want my friend back," she said and there was a fiercely determined look in her eye as she continued, "Now you must pay attention, the herbs are very important."

They had been at it for several hours when the pair were interrupted by Galen and Vex. The Mesmer had apparently been very busy and there were silver covered trays set out on another table as well as a setting for four. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." He said with a flourish as he uncovered the trays. He uncovered fluffy scrambled eggs, thick slices of ham, oatmeal flavored with maple, brown sugar, and raisins. Hot tea, juice and milk. Fruit cups with oranges, grapes, and bananas was also available.

Galen had not spoken a word but when Ghost saw the food she sighed and then yawned. The older man drew her closer and she leaned her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her protectively. She drew in several deep fortifying breaths and as she did, Dyson swore he saw the young fae start to glow.

"Theirs is a symbiotic relationship," Vex whispered conspiratorially. "She can never sleep and he can't usually speak, when they are together she draws strength from him and you will now be able to hear him if he chooses."

The pair walk toward them, he seats her in one of the chairs as if she is a fine lady. Now away from the stacks he keeps touching her. Even when he removes his hand, the werewolf notices their feet touch. Suddenly the protector says, "It is a pleasure Mr. Thornwood to have you here, we do not really abide by the laws of the fae in this place." His voice is a growl, a rumble, yet the intelligence of it is silk over steel. He seems to have picked up the conversation where Ghost left off.

He prepares a plate for Ghost, fruit, eggs, a bowl of oatmeal, and half a slice of ham. Which she scowls at mutinously as he sets the plate down in front of her before grasping her hand and curling it into a fist. He then releases his hold and uncurls her finger to reveal her palm looking pale before it turns pink again after a moment.

She huffs but begins to eat the meat, as he continues speaking, "We have always accepted light and dark fae. Even though the light fae first were given the opportunity to host the Library they wanted to censor the material held within these walls. When we explained that wouldn't be allowed, they refused to host us," he shrugged, "Their loss." As he had spoken he had given Ghost glasses of milk, juice and water, as well as a cup of tea with extra cream and sugar.

"Though I must admit Kenzi was the first human we have ever encountered to my knowledge, even the human servants of the fae are usually forbidden by their masters to come in here. We found her delightful." By this time he had made himself a plate and proceeded to eat with a gusto that reminded Dyson rather fondly of his brothers.

Vex leaned over and smiling said, "She does make an impression does our little human."

XXXXXXXXX

A couple of weeks later: Dyson has been gathering the herbs and other things that he needs for the ritual. With Vex and Ghost's help he had been collecting rare herbs and woods, a certain gem that probably would have cost him a year of his cops salary. Part of the ritual though is also that he must remain pure before the ritual. Not a problem anymore, since he had started on this quest his focus had been on getting Kenzi back, not having random or not so random sexual encounters.

For which he was exceedingly grateful that Bo hadn't shown up. She still tried to call him nearly every day but he simply didn't answer her calls anymore. He had even stopped answering Trick's calls at about the same time Vex had explained the fact that the light fae simply refused to acknowledge the spells to revive the dead.

As the time to perform the spell grew closer, Dyson grew…antsy, eager to have his human back. That was another thing he was becoming more possessive in his thoughts of and feelings for the young Russian. He could not wait for All Soul's Day to arrive.