I’d estimate she arrived at least an hour before me based on how comfortable she’s made herself here, covered in blankets and all. Her head turns toward me, her dark eyes lifting from the book she’s holding to me.
“Must you always speak so loudly?” she whispers coolly, turning her gaze back to the book.
“Must you always speak so properly?” I whisper mockingly. She rolls her eyes, unamused. Again. “Whatcha reading?”
She continues reading, ignoring my question. I step closer.
“Would it kill you to try?” I smirk, scratching my chin. Talking to her is like talking to a wall. I draw a breath, turning around and walking back to the information desk to await further instructions from the library’s overseer. They haven’t arrived yet—I can’t blame them, I’d sleep in, too, if I could—but I’m sure they will soon.
Can’t kill someone already dead inside,a voice whispers so faintly from several feet behind me I almost miss it. I toss her a glance, noticing she’s still reading—almost as if she didn’t utter a word.
My mind must be playing tricks on me. Wouldn’t be the first time.
I approach the desk and step into the center behind the counter, noting two comfortable beige chairs for the first time. I lean back into one, resting my arm on the rest, and then glance atthe staircase leading to the archives, recalling my last encounter with Cleo there.
Despite not sharing her theories about the nature of my relationship with Jasper, Cleo really has come through for me. Without her, I would’ve never been able to learn why Jasper could see me. Hell, I wouldn’t have even been able to visit the library.
And what have I done in return for her? Nothing. Zilch.
In fact, I hurt her.
And that doesn’t sit right with me.
I can’t blame her for giving me the cold shoulder, but damnit, my stomach is inknotsover it.
“Kai Greene, I presume?” A different voice interrupts my spiraling thoughts. I glance up to see a woman with short, curly black hair and blue eyes standing over me. I rise out of my seat smoothly and reach out to shake her hand. “I’m Hadley, the library’s overseer. Welcome! Have you seen Cleo yet?”
“Oh—”
“I’m here, Hadley.” I turn to face Cleo as she slips her novel back on the bookshelf behind the desk.
“Splendid, you both arrived earlier than I anticipated.” Hadley claps her hands together. “What a good way to start your divine services here! Come along, eager beavers. The sooner I show you the ropes, the better.” She waves her hands for us to follow her. I take the lead, following right behind her as Cleo trails me. Wait a minute… I don’t think I’ve gotten a single word in since meeting this angel—
“The library is organized into three different sections. The first is a collection of novels for entertainment purposes, located on the left side. The second is a collection of nonfiction books, situated on the right side. The third is the archives chamber, located on the upper level near additional lounging areas. Youtwo have visited the archives before, so I don’t anticipate needing to emphasize the importance of keeping track of those. Those scrolls and tomes may not be taken outside the library, unlike our entertainment and nonfiction books,” she explains while walking, brushing all the book spines we pass with her fingertips.
We reach the staircase and ascend, arriving just outside the doors to the locked archives. This level’s walls are lined with tall windows, flooding the space with soft, natural light. To enter the archives chamber, we have to use a separate sensor from the one outside the library. Hadley presses her finger against the sensor, unlocking the door.
The massive, circular room has one small window—unlike how the rest of the library is full of windows. Instead, it primarily glows with soft, warm beacons of candlelight. In the center of the room sits an oversized, round, purple amethyst table, with several candles placed on marble candlesticks resting atop it, their flames never-ending and lighting the room. The walls feature built-in shelves that extend from the floor to the high ceiling. Rolled-up scrolls, ancient books, various knick-knacks, anddustflood the shelves.
The room is overfilled with so many items that some scrolls, letters, and books sprawl across the porcelain floor itself. It’s nearly impossible to find specific information in the archives, considering how dusty and chaotic it is. Finding records here during my guardianship was challenging, to say the least.
“You will work on several projects for the library during your sentence, including organizing books, auditing scrolls and tomes, renovations, and more. On a day-to-day basis, you can expect to assist several angels with finding and checking out books.” She nods her chin toward the chaos engulfing the shelves. “Tidying up and reorganizing the archives will be your main initiative andhighest priority. This space has been the least nurtured as of late, so it needs lots of love.”
“How long do you expect this project to take?” Cleo stands next to the amethyst table, her arms crossed, brows low.
Hadley chuckles. “Well, there are roughly a thousand articles that need to be organized and audited here, so I’d estimate it will take several weeks. The better you two work together, the sooner you’ll finish the job!”
Weeks.We’ll be spendingweeksin this dusty-ass chamber, sorting through old stuff I couldn’t care less about.
“Great,” I mutter under my breath, my tone laced with sarcasm.
“Should you need anything at all, please come find me. I’m around most of the time.”
“That’s it? No further instructions?” I ask, confused.
“That’s it. You two can decide amongst yourselves how to go about this first project,” she affirms, turning to leave.
This might be the most laissez-faire work environment I’ve ever had. That’s one perk, at least.
