The Vampire Trap: A Shadow World Gothic, Paranormal, Romantasy, stand alone novella (Shadow World: T

Chapter 6

Returning to the isles,I scan over each title again until I find the one I’m looking for. It’s just high enough that I can only reach it by pushing up on my toes. My fingers barely brush along the bottom inch of the spine. Unfortunately, it’s wedged tightly among the other volumes, making it a tedious process to edge it out.

Pausing to catch my breath, I debate if I should ask the librarian to assist me. But I’ve nearly got it. I jump and grab for it, but my fingers slip. It sits on the edge, crooked like it froze mid-fall, mocking me.

Once more, and I’ll have it.

Glaring, I ready myself. But before I can move, the warm scent of smoke and wood wraps around me a heartbeat before an arm cages me in on one side at eye level. Then a hand effortlessly plucks my book off the shelf.

I whirl, ready to confront whoever snatched the book right out from under my grasp—and find myself staring cross-eyed at a neatly tied cravat and the first few buttons of a man’s shirt. Instinctively I back up, bumping into the shelf.

Lifting my head, I stare at the vampire standing within an inch of embracing me. Thomas leans against the shelf, frowning down at the book open in his palm. I flick my gaze to see what he’s looking at. On one page is a very detailed drawing of a nude man. On the other, a nude woman, showing them from the front, side, and back. Much to my annoyance, I can feel my cheeks warm.

“Are you old enough to be reading such vulgar books?” he asks, widening his deep brown eyes.

“Yes, I am.” I grab for the book, but he lifts it up and out of my reach.

“If this has you turning red, you might want to start with something a little more….” He considers. “Tame. Maybe herbology?”

“I wasn’t—That’s not—” I huff to disguise my need for a lungful of air. “I’m not blushing, I’m just warm because I been jumping, trying to get it for the last several minutes. And there’s nothing vulgar about a body. That was a ridiculous thing to say.”

His perfect mouth tilts up on one side. With a step back, he closes the cover and hands it over. I take the book and wrap my arms around it—not that I think he’ll take it from me again… but it’s always better to err on the safe side.

With space between us, my mind is clearer, allowing me to think again.

“Thank you,” I say with as much genuine feeling as I can manage. “Do you have the power to know when a lady is in need of something out of reach, or did you follow me here?”

Surprise flits over his features before taking the shape of a wide grin. I try not to flinch at the flash of fangs. “Am I dreaming…” Thomas presses a hand to his chest. “Or are you warming up to me?”

My glare loses all power when I try, and fail, to keep the smirk off my face. Against my better judgment, I’m finding it effortless to be at ease around him.

I will need to be diligent about remembering my true purpose.

“Well, you did get save me time getting this off the shelf,” I say with a faux haughty attitude.

Thomas nods, one elbow cupped in a hand as he rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Did you just admit to being so grateful, you feel indebted to me?” He waves his hands dramatically. “It’s similar to a life debt, except not nearly as serious—in case you’re wondering.”

I laugh, slapping a hand over my mouth in time to smother it. “Hardly, Lord Morgan. However, should you find yourself in need a book from a bottom shelf, you may call on me to assist you—but only once. I can’t have you constantly interrupting my studies for such things.”

“We must usually come at different times; I’ve never seen you here before.”

“This is actually the first chance I’ve had to visit.”

Thomas motions to the book in my arms. “Did you come here to study anatomy for scandalous or medicinal reasons?”

“Medicinal.” I choose to ignore the teasing portion of his question. Because I nearly forgot the reason I wanted this book in the first place. “Father offered to hire another tutor, but I want the freedom to switch subjects as I please.”

“That’s admirable of you. This world is a big place with more to learn than possible in several lifetimes.”

Without meaning to, my gaze briefly flicks in the direction of the table where my charcoal and notebook sit. He catches it.

“I will let you get back to your studies then,” he says. His expression hasn’t noticeably changed, though now his carefree smile looks like a mask to hide disappointment.

But why is he disappointed? Because he wants to lure me into an alley to feed, or because he likes me?

Inwardly I scold myself for such unimportant thoughts.

I walk backward a few steps and say, “I’ll be here again tomorrow around noon.”

He blinks twice, then brightens at the implied invitation. Then before he can say anything more, I hurry to the table then open the book as I sit down. I only catch a slight movement from Thomas as he turns. The world melts away as I am instantly engrossed in the book. I take brief notes as I make my way through the first part of the book.

Not entirely sure what I’m looking for, I decide on first gaining a basic understanding of the human body. Once I have that, I can narrow down what I’m looking for until I find it.

* * *

For the rest of the week, Wallace and Oscar take turns pretending to be our family footman. The three of us agreed that Benjamin should keep his distance. He argued but, in the end, gave in after we began listing examples of his overprotective nature.

On the fourth day, I arrive at noon. Thomas is already waiting for me at a table with a stack of books on injuries and healing. All week, he sat quietly reading across from me.

Though much of our time was spent in silence, anytime my forehead would wrinkle in confusion, he encouraged me to explain what I was stuck on. He never handed me an answer but instead asked questions and suggested passages in other books so I could find my own understanding of the subject.

And when I grew frustrated, he had me get up and stroll the library with him to clear my head. When we did a full round, he would gauge how I felt to see if I was ready to get back to work. It started with a few simple questions, and the time spent standing between the shelves gradually grew longer and longer.

By the end of the day, I am sure that what I’m looking for is so close I can almost sense it tingling at my fingertips. I glower at every page I finish that doesn’t have the answer.

“You look about ready to shred that book apart. Is there something I can help you with?” Thomas asks, not even looking up from the paper he’s reading.

“No… I’m not even sure what I’m looking for—I just know that I haven’t found it.”

Folding the newspaper, he leans forward and gives me his undivided attention. “If you continue while you’re this frustrated—” he presses a finger between my brows and smooths it over the furrow. “—you’ll only end up thinking about that instead of what you hope to find. Take the weekend to look over your notes and rest. Then you can come back with a fresh mind.”

He’s right… too bad it isn’t an option today.

“I want to stay for a little while longer,” I say with more enthusiasm than I feel. “You should go on without me. I need to finish my notes, so I don’t forget anything important.”

Thomas nods in understanding. He rises and stretches his back, then hovers as if wanting to say something.

I lift both brows in silent question.

“You should leave with enough time to make it home before evening—if you’re unsure if you’ll make it. then have your driver take you through the city.”

I smile at his silly concern. Everyone learns how to avoid the demons that come out at night before they can speak a full sentence. They thrive in the shadows, pushing against the boundaries, looking for any human foolish enough to step far enough from the light.

“I promise not to let a demon make a meal of me.”

He doesn’t laugh or tease back, instead looking at me with grave seriousness. “No, Zadie, that’s not what I meant.”

I hold my breath; a half dozen questions ready on my tongue.

Thomas lowers his voice further. “I know you are aware of the murders that have happened recently. Just… please, be careful when you leave here.” Thomas looks away as if he’s suddenly unable to look me in the eye. “I have grown fond of our study sessions. I’ve grown rather fond of you.”

The confession is so unexpected, I’m unsure how to respond. Before I can figure it out, he bows his head and leaves.

I drop into my chair, utterly bewildered by his words. All thoughts of studying have vanished. My stomach twists.

A week ago, I would have thought it a twisted threat that I would soon be another of his victims, if not the very next one. Not even a monster could admit to possessing feelings for someone with that much tenderness in their voice and not mean it…

Could they?

I shake my head. I don’t have the luxury of time to dwell on it. For the next three hours, I stare at the book, unable to concentrate on a single word. Anxiety winds in my limbs, and the whole time I’m fighting the urge to get up and leave. I must stay put.

“Zadie!”

I snap my head up at the harsh whisper of my name. Benjamin is standing across the table, looking equal parts worried and irritated.

“Demon shit,” Ben smooths a hand over his hair as if making sure every strand is in place. “I thought he did something to you.”

I gather my things and return the book to where it belongs, giving myself enough time to gather my wits before facing him.

“Ready to go?” I ask.

“I said your name three times before you did more than blink. If you’re not feeling well, tell me and we’ll call this off now.”

I shake my head. What I really want to do is take him up on the offer. But if we drag this out, it will only get harder. “I’m fine. I was just going over everything in my mind.” He doesn’t look like he believes me. “If anything, I’m hungry. I was sitting here for over two hours longer than normal. You know how I get when I don’t eat.”

Benjamin sighs and tells me to go wait in the carriage. I obey without arguing. It’s a quarter-hour before he climbs in.

“Don’t look at me like that. The three of you decided that I should stay away so the city would believe you’re being courted by that thing.” His nose crinkles in distaste at the idea of it.

The impulse to reprimand him for his rudeness presses against the back of my teeth, but I hold my tongue.

For the next ten minutes, he lectures me on every detail of our plan. I sit quietly. This reminder is more for him than anything else. If he is confident in my ability to succeed, I won’t have to worry about him breaking into Thomas’s manor or hiding in his stables just to be close.

When he’s satisfied, Benjamin hands me a leather parcel. I unwrap it to find two small blades barely longer than the length from the tips of my fingers to the heel of my palm and two soft leather straps. “What is this?”

“I tried to find night-forged silver, but it’s too rare to get ahold of.” He reaches across and wraps his hand around my wrist to get my attention. “With your fighting skills, you’ll be able to mortally wound him. Not even vampires can heal from every wound.”

I’m unsure what to say… this wasn’t part of our plan.

He must see the question in my eyes because he continues, “I’m not saying you should attack him the first chance you get. But if he attacks you, I want you ready to defend yourself.”

The bell tower in the city center peels the hour. We don’t have much time.

Benjamin starts to climb out, pausing halfway to look back. “Zadie…” he says, “Be careful.”

I nod. The door closes, then a moment later, the carriage shifts slightly as he climbs into the driver’s seat.

We don’t take the road through the city as Thomas said I should. I lean back and close my eyes, trying to quell the storm of nerves in my stomach.

A sickening twinge of doubt settles heavier and heavier as the pounding of hooves brings me closer to Lakewood Manor. After spending this much time with a murderer, I should feel more certain about our plan of action. Not less.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to do what Benjamin expects of me. This night will end with the murder of a monster, or at the very least, the theft of a weapon one of us will use.

If Thomas attacks me, then I won’t hesitate.

But… I don’t think he will.

Since our first interaction, he’s had plenty of opportunities to feed, compel, or harm me.

Yet, he hasn’t.

He hasn’t done a single thing to indicate that he would. I haven’t noticed anything in his expressions or the tone of his voice to hint there’s more to him than he seems. Thomas could be an excellent actor. But my gut tells me that’s not the case.

And if he isn’t the one killing the people who voluntarily let him feed on them for being disloyal and feeding other vampires—then who is?

Without meaning to, I find myself altering my plans. Benjamin, Oscar, and Wallace are confident that Viscount Morgan is guilty. The difference is, I have spent the week in his presence, but they haven’t.

Sitting forward, I nod decisively to the empty seat across from me. I will act cautiously until I am confident of Thomas’s guilt or innocence.