Page 62 of All Saints: Pledge

Instead, what greets me is a lavish, old world library. There’s no other word for it. Shelves line the three wood-paneled walls, leaving only the fourth wall open. Leaded glass squares cover that one from floor to ceiling. Overstuffed leather couches and chairs sit in comfortable clusters on gorgeous hand-wrought rugs and an honest to God gas fireplace crackles in the corner opposite a gigantic wooden desk.

Teague walks over to the desk and plops down on the thickly velveted chair before kicking his feet up on the desk. I’m still flummoxed, and I spin slowly, taking in all the books and knickknacks on the shelves. It’s…glorious. Like someone reached into my brain and pulled out my definition of a cozy space and rendered it in real life, then stuck it in a barn in Ireland.

“Not a feed room, then.” I say to myself, wandering over to the nearest shelf and peering at the books. This row is old,oldmedical texts. Old photography books fill the shelf under it, and I run my fingers over the spines, noting the dog-eared pages and bookmarks. This library isn’t just for show, someoneusesit.

Coming back to myself, I remember that I’m not alone. I straighten, and turn to find Teague watching me, clear amusement written on his face. “Not a feed room,” he confirms, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. I’m mesmerized.I’ve only ever seen him look serious. That small movement transforms his face with roguish, boyish charm.

As if I need to have another reason to stare at him, now I’m wondering if his angelic facade is hiding a more playful, bad-boy interior.

“How is…how is this in abarn?” I ask, then decide to use manners as well. “And also, thank you for saving me.”

There’s a weird light in his eyes as he watches me approach the deep blue velvet chair across from his desk and drop into it. “Did I though?”

I quirk an eyebrow. It seems an existential question, fraught with a tension I don’t understand.

“Now you’re stuck here. With me. And these books. Nary an internet signal, television, or distraction in sight.” At my confused look, he motions to my phone, which I have clutched in my hand like a weapon.

“Ah. I just had it out in case…” I can’t make my heart stop galloping. Because while I think he’s trying to be funny, his energy is causing my pulse to race. Chill, Helena. He’s justanotherhuman. Teague is in my choir. He’s a waiter. He’s not a complete stranger.

Teague’s eyebrow quirks. “In case…”

I take a deep breath. “I was going to fake a phone call to get out of walking up with Augustine.” Or maybe I would have chucked it at his head and run if he tried anything funny. But I don’t say that part.

“Ah, well, then I’m sorry I crashed in on your well thought-out plan.” The smirk is back. “The damsel did not, in fact, need saving.”

I roll my eyes and give a small laugh. It’s clear he’s teasing me. “Oh yes, now you’ve caused me to waste all the time I spent creating an elaborate scheme. I guess I’ll have to send back the wheelbarrow and water buffalo.”

A smile breaks out on his face. I’ve amused him, and it makes my insides turn to sunshine. “How did you find this place?” I ask. “I thought we weren’t allowed out by ourselves?”

Amusement flickers across his face. “Maybe you aren’t, but I am.” He puts his feet down and sits up in the chair, leaning his elbows on the desk as if I’ve suddenly just become much more interesting to him.

“Because I’m a girl?”

He shrugs, clearly not as bothered as I am with the gendered rules.

I roll my eyes.

The grin he flashes me is a conspirator’s. “But even if it’s against the rules, isn’t it a little thrilling to be naughty? Don’t tell me you’ve never explored somewhere you shouldn’t.” Yep. Definitely a bit of a bad boy on the inside.

Teague is legitimately, objectively, one of the most beautiful humans I’ve ever seen. His dark hair, olive skin, and lively hazel eyes are…well, they are the things of magazine covers. Long sooty lashes. High cheekbones, and a mouth that…

I’m staring.

I catch myself just as Teague clocks it too. His lips twitch just before I avert my gaze. “I am not normally the sort to break and enter,” I say with a small cough. Sinking further into the chair, I adopt an air of nonchalance. I can play this off. He’s here, just like me. We’re equals.

“Whatareyou doing in here?” I motion to the room around us.

“Hiding out, same as you.”

That relaxes me. “Oh, okay. Well, that sounds okay then.”

“A good girl, through and through, I can tell.” His eyes burn briefly as he takes in my high collar. I have a distinct, intense impression that he’s imagining what is beneath it. That he’s turned on by the challenge of not seeing exposed skin. “But evengood girls can have fun now and again. Should we re-arrange everything in here and see if they notice? Go through the desk drawers?”

“No, don’t!” I squeal as he reaches for the drawer to his left. “I don’t want to get in trouble.”

“What if I do?” The smirk does it for me. My heart thrums in my chest.

“I can’t give them any reason to send my home.” I force my eyes away from his to the surrounding shelves, and then finally to the choir folder on the desk. He really brought Lux Arumque down here with him to practice. “You do what you want.I’mgoing to study music.”

---