Page 86 of Midnights
“What are these?”
I should’ve known she’d be drawn to them.
“They’re just… old things.” I clear my throat. “Daggers, knives, and some random artifacts.” I hesitate for half a second, “I think they belonged to—the original owners of the estate.”
Fuck.
Her fingers skim the edge of the glass, tracing the outline of one of the daggers. A small, knowing smile tugs at her lips, but she stays quiet.
Cam senses my tension and steps in. “It’s wild how much history is packed into these places, huh? Who knows what kind of stories these things could tell.”
Raven hums, nodding. But her attention stays locked on the display like she’s trying to absorb every detail.
“Too bad you don’t know more about them,” she tilts her head as if trying to puzzle something out. I can practically hear her brain working. “They’re actually pretty cool.”
Rachel chimes in, clearly bored. “Yeah, shame.”
“Maybe I'll look into it sometime for ye.”
Raven’s face lights up, andfuck, I wasn’t expecting that reaction. “I wouldlovethat,” she exclaims, her voice brimming with genuine excitement. “I’ve never seen anything like them before… I’d love to know…”
Her voice trails off, and I can see her mind piecing together theories and reaching for answers no one else would think to ask.
I hesitate for half a second before asking. “Would you ladies care to sneak into the library or move on to the next room?”
Raven’s eyes go wide, and the knives are all but forgotten as she practically bounces on her feet.
“YES! Oh my God,YES!”
I chuckle, shaking my head. If I didn’t offer, I have a sneaking suspicion she’d find a way to break in.
The doors swing open to reveal the library and I don’t miss the way Raven’s entire expression shifts. Sunlight streams through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the black shelves, the plush armchairs, and the ladder that glides across the cases.
She steps forward and her whole face lights up. “This is incredible,” she whispers, more to herself than anyone else.
She moves like she’s in a trance, fingers trailing along the spines of the books just like she did in the bookstore. Something about the way she does it makes me pause to watch.
She spins, looking over her shoulder at Rachel, and they both gasp at the size of the collection.
“This is insane!” She exclaims, turning back to me. “If I lived here, I’dneverleave this room.”
Something inside me flickers at those words. A dangerous, treacherous thought. Because the first thing that comes to mind is that my mother would love her, but I shove the thought down so fast it nearly chokes me.Absolutely not. No.
Cam is oblivious to my internal struggle and is laughing at something Rachel said, pointing to some of the taller shelves. Meanwhile, Raven continues moving through the space, running her fingertips over the books like theymeansomething to her.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone experience this kind of joy over something so simple. Alongtime.
Head in the game, Kane.
But the more I watch her, the harder it is to remember where the lines are supposed to be.
Chapter 14
CastlesCrumbling
Raven
Rachel and I just stand there with wide eyes, rooted to the spot like a couple of idiots. The shelves stretch to the ceiling and are packed with more books than I can even begin to count. It's overwhelming in the best way.
