Page 69 of Untraced Magic
Shit. How did I ask where the secret supernatural department was without actually asking the question?
My gaze flew around the library’s interior as I stared in wonder at the mahogany curves arching high into the ceiling. I felt the prickle of the librarian’s stare as he followed me, watching as I surveyed the shelves full of books lining the walls in every direction.
It was then I noted the lack of people around. Something about that gnawed at my sides.
I cleared my throat. “I’m looking for a book on the Salem Witch Trials, please. It’s for a history piece I’m doing for uni,” I added quickly, as if to justify myself.
For a moment, he didn’t speak. The angles cut into the stranger’s jaw twitched. His expression remained impassive, his gaze passing over me through a delicate set of glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.
He finally stood, motioning to the far corner of the impressive room, his footsteps steering us away from his desk. “This way.”
He slowed halfway along a wall, his finger skimming book spines until he plucked one out.
“I think this will do it. Let me help you check this out.”
His stare, cold and hollow, left mine as he retreated to the large mahogany desk before completing the process. As he passed the book to me, our fingers grazed as it slid between us, a bone-chilling cold jumping from his skin to mine.
I quickly pulled my hand away, sliding it into my over-the-shoulder bag. “Thanks.”
He stood again, pressing his hands into his pant pockets. “Let me know if it’s not quite what you’re after. There may be something else I can find.”
“I appreciate it,” I said, turning on my heel and heading for the door in the direction of home. A shiver ran down my spine as I looked back over my shoulder at the manor, wondering what exactly it was about the place that caused the unease inside of me to spike.
I welcomed the afternoon breeze as it purged the feeling from me.
When I got home, I sprawled on my bed, ready to learn as much as I could. The book was thick, but I was a fast reader. I would devour it in a week easily. Within the hour, I slapped the pages shut, horrid streams of images rifting through my thoughts.
Visions I couldn’t come to terms with, let alone grasp the concept that this was a sickening history of my kind. I couldn’t read any more, at least not now; its content had placed a foul taste in both my mood and mouth.
I placed the book on my bedside table, deciding it would be better read another time.
***
That night, the mood at Jinxed was more lowkey. Turns out I still got the job, even after my magical mishap… Perks of knowing the local supernaturals.
People mingled in groups on the old couches, some in booths. Others swayed to the song that filtered through the bar, and I found myself doing the same. I picked up another glass from the dishwasher, swiping it with a tea towel as I mindlessly hummed along to the lyrics.
I was finally getting my head around the place. Only, now Iknewthings. Things I didn’t know before. The ‘supernatural’ as Tyler called it.
I glanced around the bar, playing my secret game of what used to be kill, marry, fuck, almost snorting at my naivety.
It had quickly changed to vamp, witch, or human. No doubt there were more, too.
If I was honest, it was harder than I thought. I mean, the witch that only last night had his lips on mine was a grease monkey.
A smile played on my lips at the thought of Tyler in a singlet and coveralls, covered in grease marks. Note to self, visit him at work one of these days.
He caught my gaze from across the bar, and I lifted my brows at him, a subtle smile in his direction. He fired a knowing look my way.Discrete, but I didn’t miss the heart-pounding moment his eyes held mine before he turned his attention to the guys again.
“You look deep in thought…” came Reid’s voice from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder at him as he walked toward me.
I shrugged. “I was just trying to figure out, you know, how you tell who iswhataround here.”
“Ah,” he said, leaning a hip into the bar, folding his muscular arms across his chest. “That’s easy once you’re in the know.”
His gaze veered to the doorman at the entrance. A guy who was taller than most, his shoulders broader than Tyler’s, and that was a statement alone.
Reid nodded to him. “Werewolf. They’re naturally larger than the rest of us, and most have an attitude to match. You donotwant to piss them off,” he said.
