Page 222 of The Blairville Legacies

I was jealous that he had so many first editions, including ancient books, that must be damn expensive.

Longingly, I bit my lower lip.

“Let me show you something.”

He bent down and reached further down the shelf. Then he came back with a dark blue-bound book, which he placed on the table in front of me, and sat down again.

When I saw a golden dragonfly on the cover, I held my breath. It looked exactly like the print on the secret box the old woman had sold me at the market.

Curious, I read the title:The Dragonfly Society.

I searched for an author, finally picked up the book, but couldn’t find a name anywhere.

“Who wrote it?” I finally asked.

“A good friend of your mother’s and mine.”

I looked up in astonishment.

“There was only one edition, which is why there are only seven copies in existence.”

I found it impressive that he had contact with the author, just like my mother.

“My mother knows this person?”

As I looked up from the beautifully decorated leather cover, Alarik stared into his glass.

“You know, a lot has happened since then.” He took a sip before his strained gaze lingered on the book, and I saw his expression relax a little.

“I want you to read the book and tell me if I’m the only one who’s so fascinated by it.”

I nodded in awe, because if there were only seven copies of it, then what I had just held in my hands was something very special. And the fact that my English professor lent me this copy was more than an honor. Especially after I had broken into his office.

“By when... do you want it back?”

He laughed. “We’ll see each other for at least three years now. I think that will be enough time.”

I thought about telling him that I would be leaving in a month’s time, but decided against it. I would certainly have finished the book by then. So, I just nodded.

“One question... Alarik,” I began, but hesitated. “How do these candlesticks work?”

As far as I knew, he wasn’t a sorcerer... Or was he? “You’re a hybrid?”

Alarik Copeland laughed in amusement.

“There are no hybrids.” He smiled again. “And if I, as a man, were one of you, that would definitely make me special.”

“Why?” I asked with interest.

Alarik seemed to be patient with all my questions. At leastsomeonewho wanted to answer them for me.

“Have you ever seen a male Quatura?”

Grace, Julie, their family, my mother... They were all... female.

“I didn’t even know they existed until three days ago.”

He looked at me for a moment before saying, “Diana must have had her reasons...” His gaze slid to the fireplace, where the flames blazed high and made the stone snakes on themantelpiece frame shimmer. “And I think I would have done the same.”

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