Page 10 of Tempest Awakening
Leo's stern expression melted into a warm smile as he peered at Whiskey. "It would be my pleasure," he said, his voice a deep rumble. "Don't worry, little one. We're going to have a great time."
As I hesitantly handed over Whiskey's carrier, I couldn't help but marvel at the strange turns my life had taken. Here I was, entrusting my beloved cat to a lion shifter at the gates of a magical library. The absurdity of it all wasn't lost on me.
Pippa hooked her arm through mine, guiding me toward the gate. With a gentle creak, the iron gates parted. We stepped onto the grounds, and the instant my foot touched the earth, a strange tingle of awareness rushed over me. My hair stood on end as a faint hum of energy thrummed through my body.
Nestled in the heart of the forest, the library looked like a castle pulled from the pages of a storybook. Massive trees stood with their roots deep and limbs stretched protectively over thestructure. "Welcome to the Dragonne Library," Pippa said with a wide grin.
As we strolled along the path, I couldn't help but comment on the level of security. "Seems like they're really serious about protecting their books," I remarked, thinking of the ward, the fence, and the guard at the gate.
Pippa laughed. "Not just books, Tess. Dragons take knowledge very seriously."
I halted in my tracks. "Wait, what? 'Dragonne' isn't just a cool name?"
Her laughter echoed through the forest again. "Nope. This library was created by dragons long ago to collect and protect knowledge."
My heart pounded with excitement. I had always loved dragons; their strength, their wisdom, their majesty. To be in a place they had built was amazing.
"But it's not that hard to get access as a supe," Pippa continued, leading me up a flight of steps. "Mostly academics come here, though. It's not exactly on the bus route."
I nodded, understanding the practicality of it all but still awed by the grandeur. "But a guard? Seems like overkill."
Pippa glanced back at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Who said he's just protecting the library?"
Before I could ask what she meant, we stepped into the library itself and I lost my breath.
The interior was nothing short of majestic. Towering bookshelves lined every wall, stretching so high they seemed to kiss the ceiling. Stained glass windows bathed the room invibrant hues of crimson and gold, illuminating ancient texts and leather-bound tomes.
I was entranced by the grandeur of it all. I had always loved libraries, but this was beyond anything I had ever imagined.
Pippa led us into the foyer, explaining the layout of the library. There were multiple wings, with each floor within a wing containing books specific to one race. The East Wing, second floor, for example, housed texts pertaining to shifters.
Now that Pippa had explained the library's organization a bit, I noticed that each floor had an elaborately decorated door that seemed to indicate the race that section was dedicated to.
The door to the Shifter section was carved with beautiful and dynamic images of various animals. I could see bears, deer, wolves, and many others, all moving seamlessly and in harmony with one another. It was stunning.
"And over there, that's the Human section." Pippa pointed to a large wooden door on the first floor, with "Humanity" carved along the top. Below the text was a beautiful tree carving. Each season was represented on it. From spring's budding leaves, through summer's lush canopy, to autumn's vibrant colors, ending in winter's stark bareness.
My eyebrows knitted together in surprise. "Wait, they have a section for humans? But we're not... you know..." I trailed off, unsure how to phrase it without sounding ignorant.
"Supernatural?" Pippa supplied, chuckling softly at my discomfort. "Yeah, we get that reaction a lot."
"But why?" I pressed on, genuinely curious.
Pippa leaned against a bookshelf, her red hair catching the light from the stained glass windows. "Dragons don't discriminatewhen it comes to knowledge," she explained. "They value all of it. Every race, every culture, every bit of history... it's all important to them."
Just then, a frazzled staff member burst into our path. "Thank the goddess you're here, Pippa!" she exclaimed. "Wesley was attempting to organize books and... well, let's just say a book took flight and now it's in need of repair."
"Wesley again?" Pippa sighed, an amused smile tugging at her lips. "I'll take care of it. Tess, feel free to explore on your own."
I waved her off. "No worries. I'm basically in heaven."
I watched Pippa disappear through the ornate double doors, a look of fond exasperation on her face as she rushed off to deal with the latest library mishap.
Despite her harried exit, I couldn't help but smile. There was something utterly charming about this place—the way it seemed to hum with ancient secrets, the scent of aged paper and leather mingling in the air.
With Pippa gone, I found myself drawn deeper into the library, my fingers trailing along the spines of books older than civilizations. Each tome seemed to whisper its secrets, beckoning me to unlatch its cover and dive into the knowledge within.
Suddenly, an unseen force tugged at me. It wasn't physical, more like a gentle suggestion in my mind, urging me forward. I followed, winding through the stacks. The shelves seemed to lean inward, guiding me along an invisible path.
