Page 56 of Shattered Illusion

Which there isn’t.

But there’s no telling that to a woman who thinks she’s been scorned.

Excitement coursesthrough my veins as I skip happily toward the dining hall once more. My stomach is grumbling happily at the prospect of food. Even that of the sweet variety.

But I just can’t believe it. Finally, something went right with my magic. Something other than healing injuries. Or well, lighting myself on fire or running face-first into a wall. Every other act—minus the face squishing—has been brought on by my emotions, but this time, it worked because I asked it to.

The memory of Thaddeus’ own happiness at my win lingers in my mind, even though it was only moments ago. Pride shone in his eyes when he dismissed me from class, regardless of the daggers Miss Izzicle was throwing him.

What I can say, though, is that I am almost thankful for her interruption. While the timing was shit, it saved me from the inquisition I knew would quickly follow. But I know I’m not safe from his questions. They will just have to wait another day. Her presence, though, also reminded me once again of the up-coming test coming in her class. So that means going to thelibrary instead of celebrating in my dorm room with the dessert I so desperately crave.

But I don’t turn around and head in the other direction. I’ll just nibble on it as I head over there.

My eyes blow wide as saucers when I come upon the one table I’ve been skipping since I’ve been here. There are cakes, candies, wobbly stuff that looks like a weird imitation of Jell-O, along with fruit, tarts, and something that looks strangely like that dead flesh, just covered in powdered sugar.

Hard. Pass.

As I peer through the selections, an idea starts to form in my mind. I’m hopeful it’ll work, but I deserve any anger Luka may throw my way. He helped me. He held me as I broke down. And what did I do? I ghosted him. Not the best way to say thank you in my opinion.

One of those plastic containers you get from takeout places sits at the beginning of the table, and I snatch one up, piling a little bit of everything inside. Minus the dead flesh. I doubt Luka eats that stuff. And if he does… I shudder just thinking about what his breath would smell like after. If I plan to do any kissing to his sexy mouth, he better have a stock of breath mints on hand.

Not that we’ll be kissing. Nope. No way. I’m going there to study and apologize. That’s it. Or that’s what I keep telling myself.

The container barely snaps shut, but I hold it carefully as I navigate the halls toward the library. I know Luka said he’s only acting librarian for now, so there’s a chance he may not even be there. If that’s the case, I guess more sweets for me. But even I know they’re always better to share with a friend.

Is that what we are? Friends? Marion and I are friends. But I don’t want to kiss her. I pull a face, wrinkling my nose justthinking about it. She’s beautiful, I can totally admit that. But I’m strictly of the dickly variety.

Luka, though? I feel like I want to be more than friends with him. Axel, too, if I’m being honest. My thoughts take a turn for the dirty side when I start to revisit that train thought in my head. Maybe I’m not ready for something to that extent, but eventually? Yeah, I think I’d like that. Very, very much.

But then the thought that they might not want that for their lives batters my dirty dream away, leaving me feeling an ice cold bucket of water was dumped on my head. I shiver as the unease of rejection roils around in my gut. My feet stumble underneath me, almost dropping the desserts, and I have to stop, propping myself up on the wall until it passes.

How can two men—two supernaturals—affect me like this? Is it the work of the gods? Are they trying to tell me something?

When I feel more centered, I blow out a harsh breath and continue to the library, imaginary fingers crossed that he’ll be there. My heart rate speeds up the moment the double doors he may be behind come into view.

Out of nowhere, that tug that led me to the library the first time clenches my belly, and like an invisible fishing wire, I’m hooked and being reeled into the room. I don’t know what it means, but I hope it’s something good. It led me to Luka before, and I can only hope it’s doing the same again.

The heavy doors are easy to slip by, my supernatural strength aiding in my charge. It’s quiet inside once again as all the other students finish their classes for the day. The door thuds closed behind me, making me cringe as it echoes around the vast space.

Dust emotes flutter in front of the windows as the sun shines in, making the library just a little bit brighter than it was the last time I was here. The inside of the library hasn't changed much, either, except this time, the cart next to the main desk isoverflowing with tomes of all shapes and sizes. Some look new, while others look older than dirt.

A door closes softly from somewhere behind the librarian's desk, and I start to get nervous, shifting from foot to foot. The container of sweets trembles in my hands as I try to take deep breaths to steady myself. I don't know why I'm acting like this, though. I shouldn't be this out of whack. He's seen me at my worst—bruised, crying, and snotting all over him after dumping myself through a portal. Now that I think about it, it seems to be a running thing with both of the guys. Axel and Luka. I've dumped myself practically into their laps through a portal, crying every. Single. Time.

Something about that doesn't sit right with me. For once, I want to pop into my portal and show up on the other side with a smile on my face. And with what I accomplished today, I can actually see that happening. Soon.

The tug in my gut tells me that whatever is causing it is getting closer. I see his massive bulk coming around the corner before I even see his eyes. The man is just that wide. He stops in his tracks the second he spots me, and I nibble my lip, trembling for a whole other reason the longer he gazes back at me without a word. Finally, after what feels like two lifetimes, his sinful lips tip up in a smirk, and all his demigod swagger comes to the forefront as he continues until he's standing right in front of me. My neck twinges as I tilt my head up until I'm able to see those stunning navy blue eyes.

"Hi," I whisper, knowing that with his supernatural senses he'd hear me.

"Hey, goddess." He reaches out, his calloused hand cupping the side of my face. I lean into the touch, all feelings right in the world again as his thumb softly brushes back and forth against my cheekbone. "I wasn't expecting you today. How...how are you?"

"I'm okay," I murmur, but he raises a dark brow calling me on my lie. "Ish. Okayish." I try to smile, but even I know it falls flat.

"Come, goddess." My cheeks flame as his words, the innuendo not lost on me. Nor him. "Get your mind out of the gutter, dirty girl." I have to swallow back a whimper at how his words make me feel.

Luka retrieves the box of sweets from my quivering hands, then laces our fingers together before pulling me further into the library. In the same direction as the door closing earlier.

We arrive outside of a plain wooden door, and he pushes it open, holding it for me to go ahead of him. I reluctantly release his warm hand and step into an equally plain room. A desk and a chair sit in the center, the walls bereft of any decorations. Is this his office? It's kind of... sad if it is.

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