Page 24 of Tempest Awakening
He gestured toward an unmarked archway. "Just trace the rune like before and say 'Library's Choice.' Then walk on through."
I eyed the doorway, my hand hesitating mid-air. With a deep breath, I traced the rune. "Library's Choice."
The door shimmered to life. Wesley stepped through without hesitation. I followed, my heart racing.
We emerged into a room that stood in stark contrast to the rest of the library. Plush velvet couches and ornate candelabras filled the space. A gilded mirror covered one wall, while soft music and the scent of rose petals permeated the air.
Dark wooden bookshelves lined the walls, their surfaces carved with intricate vines and blooming flowers. Leather-bound tomes in shades of red, pink, and deep purple filled every shelf.
"What in the..." I murmured, my cheeks burning as I took in the decidedly romantic atmosphere.
Wesley's face mirrored my own, a pink tinge creeping up his neck. "Uh, I... I've never seen this room before. I didn't know the library had something like this."
I stepped closer to examine the titles, my face growing warmer with each one I read. "Mated to the Pack," "The Supe Next Door," "Why Choose? Embracing Your Magical Harem"—we had stumbled into a collection dedicated to paranormal polyamory.
One book caught my eye: "Supe Lovin': How to Snag Your Supernatural Soulmate (or Three)." My fingers brushed its spine before I caught myself.
A wry smile tugged at my lips. Here I was, surrounded by books on magical dating, when my last date felt like it had been in the era of flip phones. Maybe I should check this one out. After all, my current dating pool consisted of one very judgmental cat and a collection of romance novels that had seen better days. At least supernatural beings couldn't ghost me via carrier pigeon.
The absurdity of the situation cut through my embarrassment. "Well, I guess the library has a sense of humor. Or maybe it's trying to tell me something."
Wesley chuckled nervously. "Yeah, maybe. Though I'm not sure I'm ready to be the one to break the news to Moriyana that there's a secret romance room in the library."
I snorted, shaking my head. "Probably a wise decision. Let's keep this little discovery between us, shall we?"
"Definitely," Wesley agreed, already turning back towards the doorway. "Shall we head back before we get any more, uh, surprises?"
With a shared laugh, we retraced our steps, emerging once more in the main hall of the library.
The grandfather clock in the corner chimed, snapping me from my reverie. My stomach growled, reminding me it was nearly lunchtime.
"I should probably go check on Whiskey," I said with a rueful smile. "Make sure he hasn't started a cat revolution in my room or anything."
Wesley snorted. "Fair enough. I'll walk you back before grabbing something to eat myself."
???
After eating a quick sandwich in my suite, I made my way back to my office, determined to get started on the Oral History Project. The magnitude of the task ahead both excited and daunted me.
I settled at my desk, pulling out my trusty notebook—a constant companion that helped anchor my often-scattered thoughts. Living with ADHD meant I'd learned to adapt, and this notebook was my lifeline in a world that didn't always mesh with how my brain worked.
My fingers drummed an inconsistent rhythm on the desk as I flipped to a fresh page, ready to capture the ideas that always seemed to flit away if I didn't pin them down immediately. The familiarity of the routine helped calm my mind.
The project's goals swirled in my head: documenting diverse perspectives, preserving oral histories, promoting understanding and empathy between humans and Supes. It wasa monumental task, but one that could make a real difference in this post-Unveiling world.
As I brainstormed potential interview subjects and questions, a knock at my office door startled me from my thoughts.
I looked up to see Kane Ellesar standing in the doorway, his striking features set in a mask of cool indifference. Tall and lean, with hair like freshly fallen snow and piercing blue-violet eyes, he regarded me with an air of cool detachment.
I'd briefly met him this morning at the meeting. I couldn't help but notice the subtle way his gaze seemed to linger, as if sizing me up.
"Ms. Whittaker," he said, his voice smooth and controlled. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I thought we might discuss the parameters of your project."
I straightened in my chair, acutely aware of the contrast between his polished appearance and my own slightly rumpled state. "Of course, Mr. Ellesar. Please, come in."
As Kane stepped into my office, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of attraction, quickly followed by a wave of nervousness. This project was my chance to prove myself, to show that a human could contribute meaningfully to this magical world. And like it or not, I needed Kane's cooperation to make it succeed.
I gestured for him to take a seat, steeling myself for what promised to be an interesting conversation. "Shall we begin?"
