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Isaac’s brows narrow toward the shifter, but I shake my head. “Thanks, Jace. That will help.”
“I’d also like to lend a hand,” adds Ilyric. I nod, unable to form words from the shock of the helpfulness and sincerity of his words.
Who knew he could actuallyhelp.
He raises a knowing brow at my expression.
“I guess I’ll take the one after that, then,” gripes Mirin, an irritated look spreading across her face at the thought of losing sleep for this group of strangers.
“Then I’ll take the last shift.” With that, we head away from the group, preparing for the long night ahead of us.
CHAPTER NINE
I makemy way up the basement stairs, my body tired from accepting the Records through the sigils on my wrists and the lack of sleep from a restless night.
My shift started thirty minutes ago, and Mirin is overjoyed that I am relieving her of her own. She wasn’t a morning person. And neither was I, but there’s nothing like completing a Librariansdutyto wake you fully up.
I rub the sigils on my wrists, the sting particularly strong this morning. The waves of nausea are in full force as I make my way to the kitchen on the main floor. It probably didn’t help that I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon.
I head into the kitchen and straight to the fridge. Some milk should be gentle enough for my stomach. Taking a sip, I immediately feel a little better, the small liquid easing a bit of the ache inside me. Grabbing some fruit, I pull a chair out at the small marble countertop, taking a minute for myself to replenish my strength.
The sun pours in softly through the window, morning upon us already and another day ahead.
I shake out my shoulders, and the nausea left in me just as a light wisp forms at the kitchen door.
The magic twists and turns almost as if waving to me. It swirls, expanding out toward me and back again as if calling to me. I stand up, finishing my food and following the small wisp.
It dances through the air and toward the stairs. “I hope this is not a wild goose chase. It’s too early for that shit,” I whisper to the magic, passing the main Library door as I make my way quietly up the stairs, hoping I don’t wake any of the sleeping people there.
The old steps creak as I make my way to the attic floor, following the magic fluttering before me. “And where were you yesterday when everything was going on? Taking a nap?”
The magic stretches out and slaps my hand as I reach the top, a gentle tap to say, ‘watch it.’
I smile. The small piece of normality in all this chaos is refreshing.
Another creak runs out from the wooden floors, this time not from me. I freeze on the top step. Someone was on the third floor and, by the sounds of it, in the Autarium room. That’s what the magic was telling me, that there was someone here.
I brace myself, calling to my magic, my runes instantly gleaming as I fortify and strengthen myself, ready for any attack or ambush. I slowly walk to the door, noticing its wide open, as I stealthily make my way to the entrance, ready for the impending fight.
But just as I enter the room, I see a large familiar figure.Cole.
He’s by the windows and checking the security of the room. I’m pretty sure he had done this yesterday as well.
On closer inspection, I notice his eyes look darker, his face more tired and paler than last night.
He bends over, checking the small locks, his fingers lightly brushing against the spells and protection runes over them. They glimmer as he nods his head, a firm but satisfied look to his weary features.
As he straightens himself I notice his top is also cut and singed in multiple places, with dried blood stains around the holes. Thankfully he must have some healing abilities, as there’s no large wound to be seen there. But he does have a few small fresh cuts and bruises scattered around his torso and arms and some older scars under them, visible alongside the dark ink there.
But why hasn’t he taken care of them? And why is he checking the area? Don’t tell me he’s been awake this whole time?
I thought he had just brushed off the comments of the asshat from last night, his face like stone, unflinching and unreadable, that he wasn’t fazed by any of those comments. But I guess some of the words hit him deeper, making him feel more responsible for the unanticipated attack.
I step further into the room, making my presence known. He turns immediately, his eyes slightly widening before they synch together, probably surprised he didn’t hear me beforehand.
The dark circles under his eyes become more visible as he stares at me. Clearly, the lack of sleep was taking its toll if he didn’t sense me behind him. He needed some rest, or he’d be of no help when an actual attack hit us.
I wasn’t one to beat around the bush, always the direct type, or so Isaac tells me.
