Page 9 of Make Me Lie (Rich Demons of Darkwood 1)

You’re getting paranoid, Delilah,I thought, then corrected myself.Aurora.

But you know what they say. Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean you’re wrong.

My classes that morning were all light and easy. The professors introduced themselves and handed out syllabuses. A warm, summer breeze drifted through the windows, blowing away some of the fresh-paint-and-cleaning-solvent scent of the classrooms.

I headed to the library at lunch time. My next class wasn’t until two; I’d have time before then to duck into one of the cafeterias and grab a bite to eat while it was quiet.

Walking into the library was the closest I’d ever come to a religious experience. My footsteps resounded across the marble floor; an enormous domed roof covered the expansive lobby, which led to three different wings, and twin elaborate staircases led to the second-floor walkways. As I glanced around, I felt a smile come over my face.

The Demon and I had moved half a dozen times in the years between when he rescued me and when he destroyed me. He’d denied me a lot of things over the years with the goal of molding me into someone just as cold and cruel and dangerous as he was. Food. Medical care. Comfort. Friends, most of all.

But he’d never denied me a library.

Libraries had been my salvation. And this one was especially grand.

I wandered the stacks, enjoying the chance to get lost in the books, pulling a few out along the way. It would be easy to get lost in the long rows of books in this massive library, and that was exactly what I wanted—to forget myself in books for a while.

I made my way past the many community rooms with glass doors to a study carrel in the very back, hidden between a couple of shelves. I could watch my back from here. It was perfect. I leaned back in the chair, surrounded by the scent of paper and ink, and flipped through the pages.

I left the books there but took my backpack when I had to run to the bathroom.

When I came back, the books were still stacked neatly how I’d left them.

But a little folded white piece of paper was set on top of the pile, and it fluttered just faintly. As if there was air circulating. Or as if someone had just dropped it.

I lowered my backpack noiselessly to the ground and turned, my arms loose and ready for a fight.

But there was no one there.

After a few moments, I picked up the note and backed against the wall, making sure no one could sneak up on me as I unfolded it.

I know who you are.

My stomach dropped. Who could it be? Stellan? It had to be Stellan.

The peace of the library was broken for me now. I picked up my backpack and abandoned the books on the table.Sorry, librarians.

I was heading down the spiraling stairs toward the marble lobby when I glimpsed broad shoulders at the bottom of the stairs.

Stellan.

Waiting for me. Blocking me.

I glanced sidelong at the circulation desk beyond him, where two librarians were at work. I couldn’t count on them to help me. If there was one thing I’d learned from The Demon, it was how unreliable humans are. Some days they’ll help, some days they’ll ignore you. But Stellan wouldn’t want a public scene.

“Hey,” he said, flashing a handsome, boyish smile up at me. That smile was a weapon; he’d been firing it freely around the cafeteria the night before.

“Hi,” I replied cautiously, trying to go around him.

“Are you in Brit Lit 1?” He didn’t block my way; he fell into step easily with me as I headed toward the doors. “I thought I saw you. I came in late, and I was wondering if I could get your notes.”

I had a class with Stellan? Had he changed classes to be with me?

“I would love to, but there really was nothing to take notes on. Professor Flynn just passed out the syllabus. I’m sure he gave you a copy on your way out?”

“He did. And he told me to get notes.” He flashed me a grin. “I saw you on the stairs and thought it was my lucky day.”

Funny, because I sawhimon the stairs and thought that I was fucked.

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