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I placed the skelly-duck on a bookshelf, snapped a picture with my phone, then sent it off to Monstera along with the words ‘just precious’ and tucked it into my pocket next to my apartment key.
CHAPTER 7
A Little Light Stalking
BANE
Isilently climbed a bookcase, then peered over the top at Miko, spreading my wings for balance along its length so they didn't stick out above the aisles. Giddy, yet distinctly wary, energy jittered through my blood as I watched her indifferent expression for any shifts in emotion. Yet, every time she took a sip from the lavender colored to go coffee cup and ran her dainty thumbs along the Little Moth Tea Shop logo on the black heat sleeve, her mouth twitched like she wanted to smile but wouldn't let it spread.
I needed to get closer, that yearning, throbbing ache to claim her demanding I give in, worsening when distance separated us, even by only a few feet. I could easily hear her steady heartbeat from here, many supernaturals heard exceptionally well, but grotesque had the best of the lot, our stone bodies easily capturing the sound around us.
“Why would a student in architectural studies become the librarian's assistant? It just doesn’t add up.” My wings flared, but no sound issued from them as I leaned over the edge, a gentle gust of wind blew down the aisle and she looked around, zipping the upside-down crescent moon pendant on her necklace side-to-side. I ran a hand over my face. “I don't trust her. She could very well be the enemy.”
“A mate can't harm you,” a little voice replied, and I realized Huff, along with several other Heechus surrounded me on the shelf, mimicking my position and peering at Miko over the edge.
I snort-laughed, then flinched backward as Miko gasped, looking around her in every direction but up. Her frown deepened but she kept walking, picking up discarded books and reshelving them as she went.
I tilted my head toward Huff. “She may not be able to harm me, but she sure as shite can harm you. Be prepared for anything and warn the other Heechus as well,” I whispered roughly.
Huff crossed his ears on the top of his head as if they were a pair of arms and narrowed his eye at me. “We can take care of ourselves, Baney. There's no need for you to be so distrusting of her.”
I crept down the bookcase while quietly whispering and giving the odd Heechu a scratch behind the ears or tickle on the pads of their paws on the way down, loving their familiar gurgley-growl sounds of happiness. They always managed to heal some of my internal suffering, at least temporarily. “There's every reason for me to be distrusting. Nothing adds up.”
“Maybe she just really needed a job? Everything doesn't have to be complicated or some great plot. Your mate doesn't have to be your nemesis.” Huff sighed, “Either way, you're certainly trying to make her into one.”
“It's not like I drugged her coffee or anything,” I said, shooting him a grin and snickering quietly as he rolled his eye. “And, I’ll have you know, I had plenty of opportunity.” My claws retracted, then I stealthily moved a selection of books aside, clearing my line of sight to Miko; not unsurprisingly, she didn’t notice. Humans really ought to have better senses. It's no wonder most supernaturals view them as prey or at the very least, easy targets.
I'd have to help her bolster her protections and teach her everything I knew.
“Didn't you notice the slight magical signature emanating from her as you all healed her?” I questioned Huff.
“We did, but it's not harmful magic. It felt like an easy to conjure protection charm, something she could have easily purchased at a witch’s boutique hiding in plain sight.” His three tails waved behind him, then one latched onto my pinky. I tsked and picked him up, bringing him to my face and nuzzling my cheek against him. He sputtered, then giggled and returned the gesture.
“Will you hang out with me today?” I asked him quietly, never removing my eyes from Miko as she walked further into the depths of the library
“Always,” he agreed readily, “plus Gus wants to practice some new potion he dreamed about, but his experiments always smell terrible, so, I'd rather be with you.”
I laughed and it echoed around the space. My eyes widened and I clapped a hand over my mouth, the sound of stone against stone clashing louder than my outburst.
“Axel?” Miko called, her alto voice oddly perfect even though everything else about her was petite, but I rather liked the contrast. High-pitched female voices absolutely didn't do it for me. It almost sounded as if she were a long-time smoker, but I didn't catch any hints of tobacco anywhere on her or the stuff I brought in from her vehicle.
I adjusted the ring on my thumb, assuring the glamor was still in place, then poked my head around the bookcase. Huff disappeared but I could still feel his slight weight. “Yes, Meeky-Peaky?”
She opened her mouth as if she were about to speak but no words came out. Miko folded her arms, inadvertently pushing up her tits and directing my eyes to her chest as if she wanted me to stare at her cleavage. Invitation accepted.
“Were you talking to me? I thought I heard something.” Miko’s lips flattened. “Also, do not call me that.”
“I was just talking to myself,” I said with a self-depreciating chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck for good measure. “Miko-ta-Peeko?”
She scoffed. “No.
“Mupcake-Cupcake?”
“No.”
“Meeky-Squeaky?”
“Absolutely fucking not.” Her brows pinched together. “That sounds like the name of a cartoon mouse.”
