Page 8 of Research with Rivals
I must have asked that last part aloud because Gabriel responded. “No, he was unaware. He simply asked to meet with me, but he will know when he gets here. That’s what I wanted to prepare you for.”
My father had been Vesten historian before Carter. He’d retired, but it wasn’t a secret that, since he had, he didn’t like the direction the library’s research was taking. That was where I came in. I was his second chance at the position. He’d trained me my entire life to do what he couldn’t, to fix the path the library was on, to bring our research back to things that mattered—or at least what he thought mattered. History.
“The rest of the library may not know what you’re researching, but the rumor mill will quickly pick up on the competition for the Vesten historian position.”
“How?” I asked. If it had only been the four of us in that room, how would anyone else know?
Gabriel massaged his forehead. “I’m sure Lord Arctos is saying something too loudly in front of other researchers now. He enjoys the dramatics.”
I held in a snort. First, I couldn’t believe Gabriel spoke about the Vesten God in such a way. Second, I couldn’t believe I tended to agree with him after our brief interactions. My ears heated as I thought about what Arctos had said about Evelyn.
Gabriel must have noticed. “I won’t tell you he didn’t mean offense by his questions, he probably did. The only thing I can say is that you passed his test just as both Evelyn and I knew you would.”
“You can’t know what she thought,” I said.
Gabriel’s smile was soft. “I recognized the exasperated shake of her head when Lord Arctos revealed his plan to her. It was the same one I gave him. Still, he proceeded.”
I wasn’t sure that made me feel better, but it reminded me I needed to find Evelyn. “Thanks for the heads up about my father. I have something to take care of before he arrives.”
The head librarian gave me a smile that indicated he knew precisely what that was, though I wasn’t sure how. With the journal he’d given us in hand and my notebook tucked safely back in my pocket, I went in search of her.
My wolf perked up as we left the office.This isn’t a hunt, I told the large gray animal pacing back and forth in my mind. He didn’t seem to agree, but he let me carry on without much input.
I found Evelyn in the Great Room. She walked through an aisle of bookshelves, but her steps seemed slow, hesitant. I approached and was about to tap her shoulder when suddenly she turned, rounding on me.
“Yeep!” She squealed and jumped into the air. I must have truly startled her, because her gaze roamed my height and width unchecked. My wolf insisted she found us attractive. Up until this moment, I hadn’t been so sure. The apples of her cheeks pinkened when she realized I’d noticed her perusal.
A smirk curled my lip. “Did you yeep at me again?”
“You should wear a bell.”
My wolf preened. Honestly, I didn’t try to sneak up on her. My connection with my wolf meant that I was always light on my feet. A brief thought flashed through my mind, that she might not know that. Since she didn’t shift, I had no idea how much instruction she’d had about shifted forms. The Vesten were a secretive bunch when it came to our animals.
Her mumbled words drew me from my thoughts. “I needed to talk to you about this and the journal before I left for the day.” She held up the paper I’d left on her desk.
“Are you going to continue work on your … other project?” I turned quickly to glance at the windowsill by her study carrel.
She shrugged, following my gaze to the plants. “I started the experiment, so I must monitor the results.” Something shifted as her focus returned to me. Her tone grew brisker as she continued. “Can you leave the journal on my desk when you’re done for the day? I’ll collect it tonight.”
I nodded, and she continued. “I’ll try to read your paper as I agreed, but it will be a lower priority to the journal.”
With that, she nodded, effectively dismissing me. I held my ground, blocking her escape as she moved to walk by. We hadn’t discussed anything we needed to. The problem was that I didn’t know how to start.
I scratched the back of my neck. “I’m sorry for Lord Arctos’s comments. I’m sorry Gabriel allowed them.” It was wholly insufficient for what the god had put her through. Things were changing for half-fae in the courts, but that didn’t mean some fae didn’t hold the beliefs that Lord Arctos had spouted.
“Lord Arctos warned me.” She shook her head. “Has he ever spoken into your mind? It was … disconcerting.”
Her look of defeat roused my anger anew. It reminded me of how she’d flinched with the god’s first sentence on the subject of half-fae. I knew it wasn’t the first time she’d heard such a thing. My insides twisted at the thought. “It doesn’t matter. He still didn’t need to do it. If he wanted to know how I felt about hierarchy in the fae courts, he didn’t need to perpetuate baseless claims to do so.”
She nodded, but I wasn’t entirely sure she heard me. Her arms wrapped around herself in protection, as if she were attempting to keep everything inside secure. Evelyn was usually so sure of herself with me. She was quick to tell me I was wrong. Truth be told, I couldn’t help but do the same to her when the opportunity presented itself. But mostly, I just wanted her to be safe. I wanted to work with her. We’d recently helped our friends break a blood magic spell on an inn. It had been the mostchallenging but most satisfying work I’d done in a long time, and I knew without a doubt that Evelyn was the reason why. She’d more than fascinated me when we first met, and every interaction since had only stoked my interest.
Words were tumbling from my mouth before I could stop them. “I just wanted to say that I’m glad we’re both working on this, together.”
I winced, knowing that we weren’t quite collaborating on this project. We were competing. Maybe she wouldn’t notice…
“This isn’t the same as with Luna’s inn,” Evelyn said.
Internally, my wolf was satisfied that her thoughts had gone to the same place mine had. Outwardly, I tilted my head in question. But mostly, I was glad Evelyn was annoyed enough with me to speak so directly. It was a stark contrast to how small she’d looked in Gabriel’s office when Lord Arctos spoke of half-fae being less than.
