Page 39 of Shadowed Fate

Just as I’m about to have a full-blown panic attack, I hear the snap of someone’s fingers, and an all-too familiar voice speaking words I can’t understand.

“Salieren ardalith liranthas!”

The entity behind me exhales a deep sigh. I feel its hold lift, and I can move. I turn around, knowing exactly who I’m going to see.

"Well, well. What have we here?" Callen's silky voice slides over me as he leans against a bookshelf, all casual grace and knowing smirks. "A little mouse, in the restricted area."

“Callen,” I mutter. “What are you doing here?”

“A better question is what are you doing here? Don’t you know this is how little mice can get eaten— going into places they shouldn’t? You’re lucky I showed up when I did. The Umbrilith was two seconds from making you its dinner.”

“The what? That’s what that thing was?”

“This section is off limits to students for a reason.”

I clutch the book I’m still holding tighter, willing my face into a mask of innocence. I look around, feigning confusion. “Oh, is it?” I stammer. "I was just... browsing."

"Browsing?" He quirks an eyebrow, stepping closer. "In the most forbidden part of the library?"

His proximity is unnerving. I can smell him—that crisp and airy scent that makes my knees weak. But I can't let him distract me. Not now.

I shrug, trying for casualness. "The gate was open."

Callen's laugh is deep and rich. "Oh, I bet it was." His eyes flick to the book in my hands. "Find anything interesting?"

My mind races. Tell him? Don't tell him? Those icy eyes of his seem to see right through me, but there's something else there too, and it makes me draw back.

"Nothing special," I lie. I can't risk it. Not when I don't understand what I've found myself. “I’m just trying to find out more about all of this stuff. You know, get a leg up for the Harrowing.”

Callen takes another step closer, crowding me against the bookshelf. "You know," he murmurs, "I could show you things far more fascinating than any boring old book."

I blink. God, I want to. I want to lose myself in those arms, forget about symbols and shadows and all the mysteries threatening to drown me. But I can't. Can I?

His hand brushes my cheek, and it's like a spark igniting a fire. Before I can think, he’s kissing me, skillfully. My body responds like the sex-deprived thing she is. This time it’s no illusion, it’s very, very real.

Callen groans, pressing me harder against the shelves. He tastes like mint and champagne. His tongue teases mine, and I'm lost in sensation. It's too much and not enough all at once.

But even as the heat of desire floods my body, a voice in the back of my mind screams at me to slow down.

I barely know this man. I can't trust anyone here, no matter how good they taste. And my god, does Callen taste good. Like the best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth.Better than cake.And we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff.

With more willpower than I feel, I break the kiss, panting. "I... I have to go."

Disappointment flashes across Callen's face, quickly replaced by that infuriating smirk. "Running away, darling?"

"Not running," I manage. “Just preserving my mystery."

As I slip past him, my body screaming in protest at the loss of contact, I hear him laugh.

***

I hurry back to my room, heart pounding, the stolen book burning against my skin where I've hidden it. I have expected it to come to life and let loose an alarming scream when I left the library with it. I’m sure much stranger things have happened here.

My lips still tingle from Callen's kiss, and I can't shake the feeling that I've just made a colossal mistake. Or maybe two.

Slipping inside, I lock the door and lean against it, exhaling. "Get it together, Brigid.”

My room is a far cry from my cramped and cluttered cottage. There would have been tons of places to hide the book there. But everything is so neat and pristine here. I scan the space, looking for a hiding spot worthy of my ill-gotten prize.

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