“Crane,” I whisper, my nails digging into his jacket, secret words on the tip of my tongue, emotions uncovered by our union and the energy flowing through me.“Crane, I…I…”
But I hear students talking from somewhere in the library, and the realization of where we are hits me.We can’t stay awayfrom each other, even in public.Our bodies, our energy, will always be tethered to each other in this way.
He quickly pulls out of me, tucking himself back in his trousers, while quickly smoothing over my skirt before brushing a strand of hair off my face.
“My beautiful, sweet Kat,” he whispers to me, his eyes wild and burning as they gaze deep into mine.“You are an obsession that borders on psychosis.”
Then he kisses me on the forehead and takes hold of my hand briefly, leading me to the end of the stacks before he finally lets go.
13
Kat
After we disentangle ourselves from each other, Crane has the nerve to head straight to Ms.Alvarez and check out a couple of the books he’d selected.But if she senses that anything funny went down in the stacks, she doesn’t show it, even though I’m frantically patting down my hair to make sure it looks tidy.
“I shall walk you back to your dorm,” Crane says to me, making sure the librarian hears it, as we step out into the morning.Just like it always does after sex, everything seems brighter, hopeful even, energy radiating through me.The rain is still held at bay and there’s even a hint of sunlight trying to burn through the morning fog, and I like to think I brought that sunshine on.
We walk down the path and I’m surprised to see how many students have come outside during the time we’ve been in the library.Though the grounds are damp from rain, groups of them are clustered around talking, taking advantage of the break in the weather.One group has even set up a lively game of croquet.Most of them don’t pay us any attention as we pass them by—probably because they’re used to seeing us together by now—though they’re still in earshot.
I can’t risk talking to you in private, he says inside my head as we slowly stroll down the path side-by-side, his hands behind his back.But I think walking next to you in silence will be permitted by the coven.
I make a small noise of agreement.
First things first, is my seed dripping down your leg?
I blink at him, my mouth dropping open.Now that he mentions it, it’s pooling at the top of my stockings.I’ll need to wash them right away.
I was just curious, he goes on smoothly.If only we were alone I’d be dropping to my knees and shoving it back inside your cunt.
“Crane!”I admonish him, clamping my lips together as soon as we pass a pair of teachers who are discussing something in a low voice.I can’t stop my cheeks from burning though.
Sorry, he says.I should get to the pressing matter at hand.
I give him an imploring look to say,Yes, please do.
I can’t survive his filthy mouth in public.
Again.
We walk to the center courtyard and pause by one of the benches underneath the statue of a skeleton with angel wings.
Yesterday I found out a few things that affect all of us, he says, his tone growing grave as he surveys the campus.You and Brom in particular.Your aunt Leona brought me into her office.Not only did she threaten to fire me if I continued to see you, but I now suspect that the witches here are on a quest to become immortal and I think you and Brom are the key to it.
I go still, sickly fingers squeezing my chest.“What?”I say through a gasp.
It’s enough for the students standing nearby to look my way.I avert my eyes, my heart pounding in my head, and keep walking.
Careful, sweet witch, he warns in step beside me.This is all a theory and conjecture.I have no concrete evidence.But I do think that your aunt is much older than she looks.I think she’s been performing ceremonies and rituals for a long time to keep herself alive.It explains why her face is often moving.Do you know of Jeremias?He is the head witch of an old order that worshipped a demon called the Dark One.He too has a moving face, though his is composed of all the sacrifices he’s done over the centuries.Or so they say, anyway.His look darkens.I believe the Dark One and Goruun might be one and the same.
Goruun is a demon?I ask inside my head, hoping he can hear me and, if he can’t, at least read the question on my face.
He stares at me for a moment but I am unsure if he heard me.Or maybe they’re not.Leona says he’s a deity to their coven, but I think that’s another word for demon to them.They believe that Goruun does everything for them, including manipulating our lives to put us on their path.Catch us in their web.
His gaze goes to the cathedral by the woods.
To what end, I don’t know, he goes on.But they worship him.With all that I’ve gathered from your conversation with Sister Sophie, and from what Brom has said about your mother, I have reason to think that your marriage to Brom is part of some…ritual, or ceremony, something that involves Goruun.Something that will benefit their coven, which is why I mentioned theimmortal part.Your aunt said that the only things that will be left at the end of the world will be ashes and witches.
I swallow hard, having a hard time processing any of this.The world seems to slide away, my vision growing hazy.
