Page 1 of Undead & Unfed

Chapter One

“Andthisis the library.” There were audible gasps as Lottie pushed open the doors to expansive library of Carmilla University. After eight hundred years, she thought she’d seen everything, but the sight of the library always filled her with excitement. The three-story building held just over 2.2 million books, merely one eighth of what the Harvard library held but still impressive for the small school. Lottie had, of course, spent her time going through all of the most beautiful and notable libraries in the world. Harvard, The Library of Congress, The New York City Public library, and there were a few times she managed to sneak into the Vatican. She was grateful she kept her human trait of loving books. Even at her age, her anxiety spiked when she considered all the books there were in the world that she would never get the chance to read.

“Um, Lottie?”

Awakened from her trip down memory lane, she twirled around throwing a smile at a short, red-haired boy with his hand in the air.

“Put your hand down, sweetheart. You’re in college now. She winked, as the redhead blushed crimson.

“Do you have to have a library card for this library?”

“Just your student ID,” she quipped, throwing another smile his way. Lottie liked making the incoming freshman feel like they belonged at Carmilla. As far as she was concerned, they belonged just as much as she did, probably more she reasoned. Lottie had received her bachelor’s degree eight times, three Masters, and she was currently working through her second Doctorate. Her first was a Doctorate of Library Science. This time around she was going for her medical degree. She hadn’t decided what kind of doctor she wanted to be yet, but she was leaning toward general surgery. Being an eight-hundred-year-old vampire, Lottie was the first to admit becoming a doctor was an odd choice, but it was the one avenue she hadn’t thought to travel down yet.

“Any other questions before you’re free to roam around this Eden?” She looked out into the group of new students in her tour group.

“Just one,” a small voice called out. The group spread so the voice could be seen. One of the most exquisite beings Lottie had ever laid eyes on stood before her. Long, dark hair was piled in a messy bun on top of her head. Her eyes were the color of the caramel candies Lottie loved so much, which incidentally gave her away. She was shorter than Lottie and much slenderer, with the lean legs of a runner. Lottie briefly wondered what she had been before she was turned.

“And you are?” Lottie asked, grinning at the other woman.

“Oh, I’m Nova. Nova Bryant. I just started here.”

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Nova Bryant.”

“Can you answer my question now?” Nova asked with a smirk on her face.

Lottie chuckled, instantly attracted to Nova’s sharp personality. It wasn’t every day someone felt comfortable sassing Lottie. Nova exuded prestige. Before she could answer she overheard the redheaded boy ask his mom why Lottie hadn’t asked forhisname.

“By all means, ask away.”

“How many books are in this library?”

“I’ve been waiting all afternoon for someone to ask this question. Carmilla’s library contains over 2.2 million books.”

Nova raised her eyebrows. “That’s quite impressive for a school of this size.”

“That it is. Carmilla University has the reputation of being the only school of diverse paranormalism in the entire United States. As I’m sure many of you know, there are colleges all over the place that cater to individual paranormal factions but at Carmilla University, all are welcome. If you were accepted, this is where you belong. CU picked you; you didn’t pick it.”

The group began to clap, and Lottie gave a small bow. Although Nova, was clapping and grinning, she rolled her eyes at the display.

“Now go!” Lottie shooed the new students away. “Find the next amazing book you want to download to your brain. Be sure to check out the archives on the third floor.”

As she bent over the reference desk, she saw a shadow slide in behind her.

“And of all 2.2 million books nestled in thisEdenof yours,how many have you downloaded into your own brain?”

It was Nova Bryant. A grin spread across Lottie’s entire face, crinkling the corners of her eyes. She didn’t mind the wrinkles; her face would reset over night while the humans slept.

“Not that I keep track or anything but 1.8 million and counting. It’s taken some time though. Goodreads canceled my account once I hit 900,000.”

Nova threw her head back, genuinely laughing. “You know my name, but I don’t think I caught yours. I came into the tour late.”

“Lottie Merrick,” she reached out to shake hands, but Nova took a step back, offering her elbow.

“Still worried about covid? Lottie joked.

Nova smiled and nodded, shaking her head, and sticking out her hand. “Sorry. My father is a politician, it’s habit.”

Shaking hands with Lottie, Nova continued. “Is this your first time at Carmilla?”

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