Page 46 of The Librarian of Souls
“You’ve driven a hole straight through your paper.” She points down at my lap.
Of course, she is correct. The nib of my pen has soaked the paper in ink and ripped a hole through several pages in my book. I grit my teeth and swallow that annoyance. It is my own fault, feeling anything regarding stupid human matters. My fingers trace over my moustache, and I close the book.
“I will be taking my leave. Goodnight.”
A few of them call out goodbyes, but my thoughts are miles away already. Once outside the church’s low stone walls, I ring Joanna.
“What’s up?” She answers almost instantly, an urgency in her voice that does not make sense to me. It’s nine o’clock at night. What could she possibly be doing that is so pressing?
“Mon abeille, are you still at work?”
“No, no, no, I’m at mine. I’m sorry I can’t see you tonight. Just- just getting this presentation finalised, and I am on a roll… I think, I hope. Who’s to really say, this could all be crap. Lance promised me he had time first thing tomorrow morning to look at it, so I want it finished tonight. I know he’s super busy. I already feel bad taking up his time with my stupid questions. I should be able to do this on my own by now.”
I take a deep breath. She is talking a mile a minute into the receiver and I blank everything that comes afterhisname.
“Very well, Joanna.” I keep my tone even, but it drops easily as worry rises in me. “Please make sure you get some sleep this evening. Will you meet me for breakfast in the morning?”
“Our spot?” I can hear the smile in her voice. We have gone to the small French inspired cafe twice, but already it warms me to hear her call it our spot.
Small victories, I remind myself, as if I am not some ancient creature of darkness who could crush my human into submission with a flick of my wrist. Joanna is my mate, and I am doing everything I can to respect her wishes. I am honouring my queen.
“I look forward to seeing you. Sweet dreams,mon abeille.”
“Night, Augustine.”
She hangs up and I start walking down the main road towards the library. The wind picks up and is surprisingly warm. New season blossoms have come into full bloom and are already starting to fall. Their delicate petals decorate Gwenmore’s historic district’s dark pavements and well-maintained cobbled street. The light pollution hides the stars, but the moon shines overhead, full and heavy. A beautiful night for a stroll. If only I had Joanna to share it with.
Up until a few weeks ago, I would have laughed right in any creature’s face for even speaking such drivel as ‘you will have feelings towards a human’, but I most certainly have deep feelings for my human. Cliches from all eras of time come to mind when I think of the depths of feelings I have for her. The ironclad grip I have maintained over my control for years vanishes when I see or think of her.
But to have such strong feelings towards any other human should be absolutely absurd. And to have found my arch nemesis in a disgusting human of all beings.
Lance.
17
Augustine
28 days
The sun is high in the sky when I exit the library at lunchtime. Humans are bustling about and monsters that easily weave into society move about them. There is a short lull in tourist activity, not much by any means, but with the two city universities closed for the summer and local schools still in session, it means that there is less of a crush through the pavements as I make my way down the main road and through the side streets of Gwenmore. This is the opposite direction from my home. Where I live closer to the Harbour Crest neighbourhood, Joanna’s office is nearer the west side in a slightly more business and affordable part of the historic district.
In fact, the office that Joanna works in is not even a part of one of the buildings originally planned for the city. The office has the street facade of an old factory, but that is it. The bricks are suspended by wires attached to the building’s modern frame. They have not even left the old windows in, all that remains is their hollow sills. Inside, there is a reception and wide lobby with a cafe tucked into the corner. Large, albeit fake, plants are dotted around the space as if to make up for the lack of natural light in the building.
The woman behind the wide counter types away furiously as I approach her, and I wait a moment for her to notice me before I finally clear my throat. Her aura swirls around her in soft, green wisps as she looks at me. Between the ventilation and the number of people around the lobby, it is challenging to pick out which emotions in the air are specifically hers, but I catch a scent of intrigue as she looks me up and down.
“Appointment?”
“No, Ravenscroft for Ms. Cole at Concord Construction.”
She holds up a finger to me as she dials up the office I wish to attend. My gaze drifts around the lobby again as I try to decide what sandwich I am going to recommend Joanna try at the Italian deli I plan to take her to.Mon abeilleis not a fussy eater, but I want to make sure her first taste of what I consider a Gwenmore institution is superb.
“She’s in a meeting, but they said to send you up.”
I nod and sign where directed before heading towards the elevators. I haven’t been inside this building before, but a stylized directory tells me the office I want is on the fourth floor. A large group of businesspeople exits before I can enter the first available carriage and I catch a whiff of a werewolf I have not met. Before I can make eye contact, though, he is gone and I am slowly travelling upward towards my mate.
A giddiness takes over me as the digital display ticks up. I have never been one to smile, or show outward emotion beyond disdain, but the simple thought of Joanna has my flattened teeth showing in the mirrored walls surrounding me. I inspect my appearance quickly; my tie is straight, my hair is styled correctly, no very obvious wrinkles in my jacket or trousers. It is odd for me to preen in this day and age. Another time that was all there was to do. It was all the people cared about, really, preening and subjugating, that is.
Yet another side of me that Joanna has dusted off and brought to the surface. While my appearance has always been well-kept, now I make an effort to appeal to someone other than the monster I see in the mirror.
