Page 56 of Obsessions of the Heart

Ravi: What?! Hell no!

I typed as quickly as I could, not wanting Ravi to run off the deep end.

Rin: We’re meeting 2day at the library cuz class turned into a meeting for our project.

Ravi: Project?! Who was going to ever tell me about this?

Ravi: I’m blaming Rion cuz Rin can do no wrong

Rion: Blame the professor.

Ravi: And why didn't you stop it??????

The barista called up the next customer, so I moved to the counter, sending off one last text.

Rin: Getting coffee now. Talk to you guys later

Shoving my phone into my pocket, I ordered and paid for my coffee. Once I got it, I headed for the library. It was interesting to see this building because on the map it said Labs/Library, and I couldn't figure out how that worked.

As soon as I entered the four-story building, I saw an elevator with large gold letters over it that spelled “Library.” Since no one was around to ask, I got into the elevator. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? As the doors closed, I looked around and noticed it only had one button. Lifting my brow in hesitation, I shrugged my shoulders and pressed it. The machine jerked to life, and I put out my hands to steady myself while it creaked its way down. Maybe this was the wrong choice to make.

All too quickly, I was jolted by the sudden stop, eyeing my coffee to make sure it didn't spill, when the doors whooshed open. Once I stepped out, my eyes adjusted to the artificial light of the room, roaming over rows and rows of books as far as I could see. Libraries weren’t foreign to me, I’d frequented them to go on the internet, but this was like a dragon’s underground horde of books.

I looked around like a lost deer, realizing that I didn't know how I was going to even find Elio.

“Can I help you, dear?”

A small, frail woman with glasses stood behind an old beaten-up rosewood desk. While her outer appearance was of an old woman, her eyes held the sparkle of youth in them.

I drifted closer to her, hesitant because I saw no other students. The place had a silence that spoke volumes. “Um…” I focused on her smirk of a smile. “I was going to meet my project partner here. Is there a spot for something like that?”

She pointed off to the right, and I looked down the aisle, seeing only rows and rows of bookshelves. “Follow this aisle all the way to the end then make a right. There’s a small section with tables and chairs that students use for that purpose.”

“Thanks.” I looked down and then back at her with a raised brow, and she flicked her fingers to encourage me to keep going.

I walked down, going for what felt like miles, not once running into another person. This place had an odd feeling of secrecy and whispers in the dark corners where the light couldn’t touch.

Finally, when I met a wall, I turned right. There was a bright light at the end of the rows, like a long shadow-filled tunnel with the sun at the end, calling you to keep going.

When I finally got to the end, there was a set of stairs. Taking them two at a time, feeling like I was coming out of a forest and into a field, I was met with so much light I had to cover my eyes. The small nook contained about five tables of four, scattered around a landing that had a whole wall of solid glass at ground level. It was a breath of fresh air in this cold, dusty tomb.

“There you are, sweets.”

Turning my head, I noticed a halo of red and gold rays, partnered with emerald jewels that looked like he was made from the sun. I stumbled my way over, and his jackal of a smile appeared across his face.

“Don’t tell me you're afraid of the dark.” Glaring at him, I set my bag and coffee down as he leaned forward. “‘Tis just a dusty old place full of books.”

It felt like he was dissing said books, and the need to defend them rose within me. “Knowledge is power.”

His eyes flashed with a glint of respect before he put his head down and chuckled. “Aye, ‘tis true. I can’t argue with that one.”

Pulling out my notebook, I opened my mouth to start to talk about the project, but he interrupted. “So, what have you been doing while I was gone? Playing with the Ambros boy?”

I sighed, raising my head to face him. His demeanor was relaxed and lazy, his arms draped on the chair and his trademark smile on full display, but his eyes gave way to the simmering rage beneath. I needed to tread lightly.

“He is my mentor, so we have regular meetings.” I left it at that and opened my notebook.

“Sure, sure, but where do you go with him? Not someplace fancy, right? I thought you didn't like fancy places.” His question was odd, but I felt like I was going to get nowhere until his curiosity was satisfied.

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