Oh, it’s a library. Not a huge one, more like the size of my bedroom, but still.
Bookshelves lined every inch of the wall, except where a fireplace featured prominently across from the door. A low, plush couch faced the fireplace with two oversized chairs on each side of it. One end of the room had a small wooden table and hard-backed chairs for serious studying instead of lazy reading.
Evelyn traced her hand along the spines of books as she made her way around the perimeter of the room. Manyof the books were histories of Gryon and the other lands. Lochmatten was full of academics who studied magic. Brevig was famous for its dragons but was also the greatest source of agriculture. Trasmyr had fae with shapeshifting abilities, while the Tricksters in Velletri had all sorts of mental magic. Healers trained in Aleneva, and Neskowin specialized in enchanting objects. Seldovia was the only kingdom dedicated to humans, but most vampires also called it home.
Evelyn came across a dusty shelf of mythology and grabbed a text that appeared newer than the others. Settling into one of the comfortable armchairs, she used her magic to light the fireplace and lost herself in legends.
Some time later, Evelyn heard a commotion right before the library door flew open. The man from last night, Leo, pushed into the room and immediately turned to shut and lock the door. He balled his hands into fists and pounded on the door once before leaning against it, braced by his forearms. His back rose and fell as he steadied his breathing.
What’s got him riled up? And would he care if I slid between him and the door? Damn, he has sexy shoulders.
“Do you need me to set someone on fire?” she offered.
Leo spun around. His differently colored eyes were wide. Evelyn was filled with immense satisfaction from his surprise.
That’s what he gets for sneaking up on me yesterday.
“What are you doing in here?” Leo asked.
She gestured to the open book in her lap. “Reading.”
Leo stared at it. She could have been holding an iguana based on the confusion lingering on his face.
“I like it here,” Evelyn continued. “Being surrounded by books makes me feel like a dragon with a treasure hoard.”
To emphasize the point, Evelyn blew a thin stream of flame toward him like the dragons she had seen in paintings from Brevig.
Leo let his tense shoulders drop. “I don’t think arsonists belong in libraries.”
“I would never hurt the books!”
Leo gave his head a shake like it would clear whatever was bothering him. Then he sat down in the armchair across from her. “What are you reading?”
“Stories of the old gods. Heceta, Siletz, Coquille, and the like.”
“Who is your favorite?”
“Neotsu, of course. She’s a badass.”
“She burned a city to the ground.”
“They deserved it!”
Leo smiled at her.
“Why did you come crashing in here, anyway?” Evelyn asked. “You interrupted my reading.”
“Apologies for that,” Leo said. “This place is usually empty.”
“It’s a decent hiding spot.”
“Not for you. I’ve run into you twice now and both times you’ve been in places you shouldn’t be.”
“Let’s not forget that you didn’trun intome yesterday. You fullystalkedme to the beach.”
“I wasn’t stalking you.” Leo laughed. “I was making sure you weren’t lighting anything else on fire.”
“I promised I wouldn’t!”
