Page 3 of Shadows and Runes

I erupt into laughter. “No, I said I had a date withBear. That's what I named my rabbit ‘cause it's big, powerful, and can withstanda lot.Good dependable Bear.”

Mirin gapes. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for some self-satisfaction, but sometimes you need a big strapping man or woman, whatever piques your taste, to give you what your hand can't.” She shakes her head.

“And a vibrator can’t bend you over…or flip you to the side…” Her eyes start to go glossy, a small tilt to her lips as she continues.

”…Or fist your hair while he—”

“Okay! I get it.”

She gives me a salacious grin.

“Well, that's decided then. You and I are going to club Vilari tonight.”

“Mirin—” She places a hand up to silence me.

“I don't care what you say.Bearcan sit the night out. You need somerealaction.” Mirin shakes her head, her eyes narrowed as she waits for me to challenge her.

I sigh. This little spitfire wasn’t going to give up.

“Fine, but only after we close andonlyfor a few hours.”

A dark grin spreads across Mirin's face.Oh, I better be careful tonight. She might be contemplating throwing me face-first into an orgy with that look.

“I’ll have to ask Isaac to watch the Library later.”

“Tell tall, dark, and toned, I said hi.” She titters, always teasing him.

I head past her and the reception desk and through the back doors, down to the basement level where the Vault and Records are held.

Time to complete mydutiesas a librarian for the day.

CHAPTER TWO

I headdown the basement stairs into the Vault, the large open floor only separated by a single room for the Records. The large area is covered from floor to wall in varying shades of gray. With large white decorative half pillars flowing along the surface up to the basement ceiling, framing old fresco and tapestry art hanging in each section of the walls.

The Vault is always lit somberly, the magic here strong and old. Runes and sigils are marked throughout the room, from the floor to the ceiling and everywhere in between.

Not that you can see any of it. Only the Librarian and Guard know their locations in case of attack or threat to the Records.

I look over to my left, feeling a spark of magic flare to life. I watch on as a small wisp appears in a far corner of the floor. It twists and flutters as if dancing to a tune in the air before swiftly disappearing again.

The area to the far left has a large indentation on the floor, the only one visible to the eye. The markings are as old as all the other runes and sigils here, butwhyit was the only one visible, I never understood. My mentor and Librarian before me never cared to explainthatpart.

The Vault is basically a large floor, a magical space below the Library that protects the ‘Records.’ It acts as a divider, a space you enter before the Records room. It lends its power to protect the Records by reinforcing the entry into them. The doors leading through to the Records are impenetrable, powered, and controlled by the magic in the Vault.Only yielding to the will of the Librarian.

I place my hand on the large white marble door, ornate and intricate in its design. It rumbles slightly before slowly opening before me. Warm, bright light breaks through the darkly lit area as if the sun itself is embracing me. A sight I will never get tired of.

A room wrapped in golden light welcomes me. Rows upon rows of old books and parchment stretch from one end of the room to the next, reaching from the floor to the ceiling. They sit in the old walls themselves, carved from white and gray marble, delicate ornate shapes carved and embedded into the stone where they sit.

In the center of the room sits multiple small podiums in a line. Most are a deep rich mahogany, almost black in color. Gold sigil patterns coat the mahogany in small delicate designs, gently caressing the wood in its magic. The magic forms a protective layer over the books that sit on it.

These podiums hold the Records.

These large venerable books are as old as time itself. Their old pages open and sway with the magic surrounding them, their edges tipped in gold and bound in every color known.

The magic hums around the Records, a mind of its own as it works.

The Records archive information about every supe, from their birth, abilities, and names, to their deaths. They hold an infinite amount of knowledge. Including the information of every living and deceased supernatural being.

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