Page 45 of Tempest Awakening

Shadows.

Deeper than the natural gloom between the shelves, they seemed to pool near the base of the bookshelf several yards ahead, just out of Valen's line of sight. Hope, fragile and desperate, blossomed in my chest.

Even as Valen's compulsion pulled at me, forcing me towards the scattered books, I veered subtly, angling myself towards the darkened corner. I imagined I was following a trail of breadcrumbs, only visible to me. The takeout box, now slightly worse for wear, bumped and scraped against the stone floor as I moved. My muscles screamed in protest, every movement a torturous battle of wills.

Valen, lost in his own amusement, didn’t notice my change in trajectory.

Finally, I reached the shadows. The moment they enveloped me, it was like a physical weight lifting. The suffocating pressure of Valen's will vanished.

Gasping, I scrambled back, resting against the bookshelf. Two pinpricks of silvery light glowed from deeper within the darkness—watching me. They blinked slowly. In that chilling gaze, I saw something ancient and powerful, and for the first time that day, I didn't feel afraid.

It wasn't the darkness that scared me—it never had. What terrified me was the thought of being trapped, of losing my autonomy to Valen's will. But here, in the depths of these shadows, I felt a strange sense of safety.

Besides, I had a pretty good idea who these shadows belonged to. The Library had its own guardians, after all.

Instead of cowering, I offered the shadowed figure the takeout box. "Chocolate lava cake?"

A low chuckle resonated from the depths of the shadows. "Offering sweets to the darkness, Tempest? How... unexpected."

The shadows rippled, and Ciaran stepped out from even deeper in the gloom, his tall frame materializing like he was being painted into existence. His silver eyes locked onto mine, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths.

"We meet again," he murmured, his voice low and rich. His gaze flicked to the slightly battered takeout box in my hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I must admit, I'm intrigued by your peace offering."

My breath hitched as memories of our last encounter flooded back. Two weeks ago, we'd stood so close, the air between us electric with unspoken tension. I'd felt the ghost of his breath onmy lips, the promise of a kiss that never came. Now, as I took in his chiseled features and the way his black shirt clung to his lean muscles, that same magnetic pull tugged at me.

A tingling sensation prickled at the back of my neck, like someone had trailed a feather along my skin. The scent of night-blooming jasmine and spice, uniquely Ciaran, wrapped around me, making my head spin.

Ciaran's gaze flicked past me. In one fluid motion, he grasped my wrist, his touch both gentle and firm. "Come with me," he whispered, barely moving his lips.

Before I could respond, he pulled me towards him and into the shadows. The darkness enveloped us like a living thing, cool and velvety against my skin. I found myself pressed against Ciaran's solid chest, his arms wrapping protectively around me.

"Hold still," he breathed, his lips brushing my ear.

Chapter 16

Tess

The shadows swirled and thickened, wrapping around us like a dark blanket. The air grew heavy, charged with Ciaran's magic. Sounds muffled, scents faded, and the world beyond our cocoon of darkness ceased to exist.

"Where did you go, little librarian?" Valen's voice sliced through the silence, unnervingly close. His footsteps echoed, a steady rhythm of predator stalking prey. "Come out, come out, wherever you are."

My muscles coiled, ready to bolt, but Ciaran's arm snaked around my waist, anchoring me. His other hand found the small of my back, and I instinctively leaned into him. My racing heart began to slow, fear giving way to a dizzying cocktail of safety and exhilaration.

Unbidden, images from countless romance novels flashed through my mind. How many times had I read about a heroine in the arms of a mysterious, powerful man? But this... this was different. This was real.

Ciaran's chest rose and fell against my back, his heartbeat a steady drum I could feel through my core. His scent enveloped me—night-blooming jasmine and spice, with an underlying noteof something wild and dangerous. Heat radiated from his body, chasing away the library's chill.

Valen's footsteps grew louder, closer. I held my breath as he passed, mere inches away. The air stirred with his movement, carrying a whiff of expensive cologne and barely contained rage. Ciaran's arms tightened, and the shadows seemed to pulse, growing denser. His fingers flexed against my waist, sending a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.

A low growl rumbled from Valen's throat as he paused directly in front of us. His nostrils flared, scenting the air. His eyes, gleaming with predatory focus, swept over our hiding spot.

"Impossible," he muttered, frustration etched in every syllable. "You shouldn't be able to hide from me, little librarian. I can hear every heartbeat, smell every human for miles. Yet you've vanished like smoke."

He continued down the aisle, each step punctuated by increasingly colorful curses. Finally, he snarled, "I know you're here somewhere. This isn't over. Next time, I won't be so easy on you. You'll learn your place soon enough."

His footsteps faded, leaving behind a tense silence. Ciaran's grip loosened slightly, but his arms remained a protective cage around me. We stood frozen, barely breathing, for what felt like an eternity. I was acutely aware of every point where our bodies touched, the warmth of his chest against my back, the strength in his arms.

"He's gone," Ciaran murmured, his breath warm against my ear, sending another shiver through me. The shadows around us thinned, the veil of magic dissipating.

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