Page 12 of In Between Darkness

“That might be a good idea, and then maybe you can savemybacon this time,” I wink at her, and she giggles.

“I knew you’d be trouble,” she says, loading her fork with the contents on her plate and shoving it into her mouth.

The click and clack of Miss Worthington’s heels fill the dining hall, and all the years fall silent.

“First years, I know we have had a busier morning than expected. Combat is tomorrow, so I suggest you take this afternoon to rest and get used to the castle. I will see you all tomorrow at first meals. If anyone has any questions, my door is down the first hall on the right,” she says, and the click and clacks of her heels diminish as she retreats down the hall. Combat, finally something I’m not a complete disaster at.

“I have an idea.” Nala begins to stand up. “Let’s go to the library.” She beckons me with her eyes as I scoop a few fries off my plate and eat them in motion following behind her.

***

“So, what exactly are we looking for?” I turn to look at Nala as she is making her way through a book calledThe Nature of Elion’s. I budge up next to her.

“I’m not too sure. Just anything that will give us some answers about what happened earlier.” I take a glance over her shoulder to see the page she is on.

‘Elions are the ultimate weapon. With the strength of a lion and the cunning nature of an eagle, there is not much that can harm this creature. They generally travel in packs with one leader of the group. This leader is usually the biggest in the pack and the most ferocious. Their scent glands are so spectacular that they can smell the pheromones from humans when they are afraid. Their mighty nose also allows them to locate prey from great distances. When an elion picks a target,that target is as good as dead. Elions rarely change their mind when it comes to food.’

“You see.” Nala points at the last line and looks back up at me. “I don’t know why we didn’t become dinner.”

I shrug my shoulders in response.

“I saw the way it looked at you. Like the way Fenn looks at my mother. He knew you. I know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s the only explanation I can think of.”

“But how could he know me?” I question, even though she does not hold the answer.

“I don’t know, but something tells me we are not going to find it in one of these books.” Nala looks around at the levitating books surrounding us.

My eyes veer off to the corner of the room where Charlie is leaning by the door, making eyes at Nala.

“I think someone wants your attention,” I nudge her arm and gesture to Charlie. His dark caramel skin glows under the dim lights of the library. Nala looks back at me, fighting a smile.

“But we need to figure this thing out.”

“It can wait. I’ve never been one to cock block,” I wink at her. “Go have fun.”

She squeezes my hand and pilesThe Nature of Elion’sinto her bag.

“See you back at the room.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I joke, and she smiles at me before approaching Charlie with a skip in her step.

I move myself from the red lounge chair and sit in an alcove by one of the library windows. The window is cracked open so I can feel the breeze cooling my face. Now alone with my thoughts, I can no longer fight thinking about him. The blindfolded one. My dream. Was he messing with me? Maybe a book on the Moonkind can tell me more.

I look at the overwhelming variety of books around me. My eyes dart across the alphabetically ordered rows looking for section ‘M’. Just my luck, it is on the seventieth row. I get up and trace the room. There should be an Influencer around here somewhere.

“Looking for something?” a familiar voice questions me. It’s River.

“Oh, it’s you.” A smile plays on my lips. “Just looking for an Influencer to find me a book.”

“At your service.” He salutes me humorously.

“You! You’re on library duty?” I taunt. “I wouldn’t pin you as a book kind of guy.”

“Why? You don’t think a man as handsome as me could be book smart too?” He places a hand on his chest and acts hurt, but I know he is just teasing me.

I raise an eyebrow, taking part in his game. “Well, are you?”

“I could be… But I am in fact covering for a friend,” he banters. “You’re right. Books aren’t really my thing.” He pauses. “But helping pretty girls is.”