Page 28 of The Library

I glance at the clock, realizing I have to get ready to meet Anna soon. But as I stand, my legs feel unsteady, like they could give out at any moment. My thoughts are racing, my heart pounding in my chest, and all I can think about is him.

Sebastian Ashford.

What am I going to do?

The question lingers in my mind as I pull on my clothes, my movements robotic, mechanical. I have to act normal. I have to be calm. But inside, I’m anything but. Inside, I’m unraveling.

As I leave my apartment, I can’t help but look around, scanning the street for any sign of him. Any hint that he’s watching, waiting. And somehow, I know he is. I can feel him,lurking just beyond the edge of my awareness, his presence like a shadow that won’t go away.

And deep down, I don’t want it to.

* * *

I step into the small café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of clinking cups filling the air. The usual comfort I find in this place is lost today, buried under the weight of everything that’s happened. My body still aches, a dull throb in my head from the hangover mixing with the unease that’s been twisting in my gut since I woke up. And then there’s the text… his text. I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.

Anna’s already at a table in the corner, waving me over with a bright smile on her face. She looks fresh, like she didn’t spend the night drinking and dancing at a party where everything went to hell. Meanwhile, I feel like I’ve been through a war. I force a smile, trying to push away the heavy thoughts weighing me down, and make my way to her.

“Hey,” she says, pulling me into a quick hug as I sit down. “You look like shit.”

“Wow, thanks,” I mutter, rubbing my temples as I take a seat.

Anna chuckles, pouring some cream into her coffee. “Rough night?”

“You could say that.” My voice is shaky, and I hope she doesn’t notice. My mind is still racing, trying to piece together everything that happened.

“So,” she says, leaning in a little, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “First of all, Ty and I really hit it off. I mean,reallyhit it off. We’re seeing each other again tonight.” She winks,clearly buzzing with anticipation. “He’s so fucking hot, Lilith. I can just tell… the sex is going to be mind-blowing. You know how tall he is, right? I swear, guys like that? You just know their dick is huge.” She giggles, biting her lip, clearly lost in her own fantasy.

I try to smile, but it feels forced. I can’t focus on Anna’s flirty excitement right now. There’s too much on my mind.

I manage a weak smile. “That’s great. I’m glad he’s not just some creep.”

“Oh, he’s definitely not,” she says, practically glowing. “I bet he fucks like something crazy—like, the kind of guy who has you screaming and begging for more by the end of it. You can just tell he’s not the vanilla type, you know? The way he carries himself… God, I just know he’s going to ruin me, and I can’t fucking wait.” Her eyes gleam with excitement, and I can see she’s already playing it out in her head.

“But enough about me. What the hell happened with you last night? Ty’s friend, Sebastian? God, he’s hot and scary at the same time. That whole thing with the blood?” She’s laughing, but her voice shifts quickly. “And… have you heard anything more about Derek?”

The mention of Derek sends a chill down my spine. I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. “No… I’ve only talked to you this morning, so I only know what you told me.”

Anna leans in, eyes wide. “I still can’t believe it. He seemed fine when you left with him.”

“Yeah,” I say, my voice tight. “He did.” I take a deep breath, not wanting to relive the events of last night, but Anna’s waiting for details, and I need to give her something.

“I mean… Derek was drunk, you know? Not wasted though. I don’t know, maybe he took something before we left the party or maybe after. I barely remember getting home.” I rub my forehead, trying to make the lie sound convincing. I hate this.I hate that I’m protecting Sebastian, but the thought of telling Anna the truth feels impossible.

Anna shakes her head, looking genuinely sad. “It’s just so crazy. I always thought he was the goody-goody type, I mean I knew he partied, but to overdose?”

I nod but stay quiet. My heart races as I think about Derek’s last moments, wondering how much pain he was in before Sebastian killed him. I don’t feel guilty for what happened. I should, but I don’t. I feel safe because of it. And that’s even more fucked up.

Anna stirs her coffee again, breaking the silence. “You know, that wasn’t even the craziest part of last night.”

I blink, focusing on her. “What do you mean?”

She looks at me, her eyes narrowing a little, as if she’s about to spill some huge secret. “Sebastian Ashford. I didn’t even realize who he was until Ty told me. I mean I’ve heard of him, but never knew what he looked like.”

My heart stutters at the mention of his name, and I try to keep my expression neutral, even though my pulse is hammering in my chest.

“Who is he?” I ask, trying to sound casual. I’ve heard whispers about him around campus before—stories that always seemed too far-fetched to be true. But I’ve never been one to pay much attention to gossip, always brushing it off as just that. Last night, when he told me his last name, it didn’t even register. I didn’t connect the dots. Not until now.

Anna leans in a little closer, lowering her voice. “He’s part of a really powerful family. His father, James Ashford, is… well, let’s just say they own a lot of things, including that bookstore you love—The Library.”

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