Page 24 of Whispered Warnings: Part Two

As soon as he disappears, I turn to look at Raiden excitedly, “Can we go now?”

He chuckles, “Yeah. Come on. We can grab Betty and Asael on the way past the kitchen.”

“I guess we will see you guys later,” River says and then adds, “Actually, I will come and get you when it’s time for lunch.”

“Good idea,” I grin.

We all make our way downstairs, and I grab my weapons before Raiden, Griff, and I split off from the other guys and head into a part of the house that I haven’t explored yet. I am beyond excited to get into this library. I know that Raiden loves his research and his books, so I can only assume that the library is extensive, and quite frankly if it’s not, I’m going to be very disappointed, and at this point, I have built it up, so much in my mind that I don’t think I will be able to keep the disappointment off my face.

Something horrifying occurs to me, and I blurt out the question before I really think about it, “Oh my god, if you are about to lead me to a room with computers and tell me that the library is actually online, then I’m going to cry.”

Raiden and Griff both stop and turn to look at me. Griff looks really confused, while Raiden looks horrified, which, strangely enough, is somewhat reassuring.

“Fuck no,” Raiden says. “I have a proper library, and I do the majority of research using books. I will say that the Internet has its place with research, but as far as supernaturals are concerned, we have been extremely careful not to let all our real information and histories end up on the Internet. So using a computer in this case would be absolutely useless.”

“Thank fuck,” I reply, relieved as we continue to move forward now that we’ve got that sorted out.

“I’m not entirely sure what just happened, but I know that it was important to you two, so I’m really glad that we’ve gotten that sorted. Good job,” Griff says.

I burst out laughing, “Hey, my giant grumpy friend made a funny.”

Griff chuckles and rolls his eyes, “I can be funny.”

“Apparently so,” I tease, bumping him with my shoulder, although it’s like bumping a brick wall, he is literally solid.

“We’re here,” Raiden grins as he stops outside a set of enormous double doors.

Double doors that’s a really good sign.

Raiden pushes open the doors, and I practically run inside,I stop in the middle of the vast room and turn in a circle. This is more than just a library, this is fucking insane. Books are stacked on beautifully carved shelves, two stories high, with a staircase in the corner that leads to the balcony that runs around the entire giant room so that you can access the books on the second floor. There are comfortable chairs and couches dotted everywhere, as well as a big table with a few lamps on it. This is where Raiden heads.

“I thought we could set up on here since the table is pretty big, and we can each spread out and research the things that we are looking into,” Raiden explains.

“Sounds good to me,” I reply with a massive smile.

“I’m good with that. Where are the books on the water supes again? It’s been a while since I’ve looked for any information on them,” Griff asks.

“Second floor, and it should be on those shelves there,” Raiden explains as he points up.

“Got it, thanks, man,” Griff says.

“Do you want a coffee?” Raiden asks him.

Griff nods, “Yes, please.”

Raiden smiles and turns to look at me, “Neith?”

“Erm, we literally just got in here. I don’t want to go all the way back to the kitchen to get a coffee. To be honest, I don’t think that I am ever going to want to leave.”

Raiden smirks, “We don’t have to go to the kitchen.”

He walks over to the half bookcase, half cabinet nearest the table, that has knick-knacks on it and only a couple of books. He pulls out one of them, and my jaw drops as the two shelves that are above the cabinet part of the unit turn around, revealing a high-end coffee machine and everything that you could possibly want in order to make the perfect coffee.

“No fucking way,” I grin. “In that case, yes, please.”

Raiden’s smile widens at my reaction as he starts to prepare us coffees, “I spend a lot of time in here, and that tends to mean a lot of late nights. I didn’t want to go all the way down to the kitchen every time I needed a coffee.” He explains and then winces, “Plus, I have a habit of getting so into what I’m researching that I get a little bit annoyed if people try to talk to me.”

Griff scoffs, coming back with a stack of books, “A little bit? Dude, the last time I interrupted you when you were in fullresearch mode, you threatened to take my soul on a trip to the underworld.”

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