Twenty-Four
Eventually, I was warm enough to take off the heavy jacket and one layer of the shirts I had on, including the gloves. I rubbed my hands together over the fire, grateful that I finally had something in my stomach.
At one point, I left the room in search of Axel's library.
My feet moved silently through the quiet halls as I searched the halls for the right room. The crystal sconces would instantly light up as I was about to pass each individual one, the magic following me and lighting my way around the otherwise dark house. Finally, I found a pair of open doors.
The crystal sconces in the room suddenly turned on casting a warm glow in the large room as I entered it.
It was like a scene from a movie. It was the grandest library I'd ever seen.
It was the kind of room I'd wanted for myself growing up - a room full of books from floor to ceiling.
It could have easily rivaled the library back home on my college campus.
My parents' home could have easily fit twice within the large space.
Bookshelves lined the walls of the two-story room from floor to ceiling.
The second floor overlooked the first with a balcony full of couches and comfortable looking chairs and desks.
I watched in awe as I moved around the room, moving past the grand piano in the middle of the room and the saxophone sitting on the pedestal next to it.
The spines of the books around me were cracked and when I touched them, there was a definite thick layer of dust. I pulled at one of the worn spines and looked the book over, entranced by the ancient look of it.
"You found the library."
I hugged the book tight to my chest as I turned to Julian.
Axel looked amused, a small smile tugged at his lips. "Did you find anything you like?"
I gestured to the book in my hands. "I don't think I've ever seen such an old book."
"Axel is a scholar," Julian chimed in. "He's a collector of rare things."
Axel moved. "Actually, there's one you may like." I followed him through the maze of book stacks and stopped when he did. He reached for a book and handed it to me.
I looked at the book I cradled close, reading the title. "What is the 'Da Humar'?"
"Ancient name for the Light fae. It's a book about them you may want to keep." He smiled. "Take it, it's yours."
"Really?" I asked enthusiastically.
Axel nodded. "The book in your hands has been in my possession for decades. I won't even miss it."
Axel led me back through the room gestured to a pair of armchairs in the middle of the room where Julian stood. "Have a seat. I'll be right back." He spectered out of sight.
Julian rolled his eyes. "Afraid I'll know where you keep your trinkets?"
Axel's disembodied voice rang through the library. "I'm entitled to my secrets. Even from you."
I smiled as I looked around the room, appreciating the art and items inside.
My eyes rested on the saxophone on its stand next to the piano. As I looked at it, I noticed a trumpet sitting on its own nearby. "How many instruments do you play, Axel?" I called out, making sure he could hear me.
He answered from somewhere upstairs. "Saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and the occasional piano."
He appeared next to Julian, dropping a small black pouch in his waiting hand. "Do you play anything?"
I shook my head. "Not in years. There's a violin in my parent's attic somewhere. I never kept up. I should have but -" I only shrugged. "How long have you played?"
He shrugged. "A while. I played in a jazz band in the 1920's in New Orleans. It's how Naida fell for me." He chuckled. "Something about my musician's hands and how they ran over the instrument."
Julian visibly grimaced. "Gross. That's my sister you're talking about."
Axel laughed out loud. "It's how Julian found me again after the Winter War, he joined the band too. Played the piano. Well, at least for a while."
Of course, he played the piano. Because why wouldn't the guy I was trying to get my mind off not play the piano.
Damn it.
I turned to Julian. "You were in a jazz band?"
He only shrugged. "It was a great way to pick up human women."
I rolled my eyes, muttering, "Why do I even ask?"
Julian turned around on the bench. "If I remember correctly, the piano player after me was much better."
Axel laughed.
Julian began to play as he laughed. The distinct jazzy beat rang through the room as he played. He played from memory, not once opening his eyes as he ran his fingers up and down the ivory keys.
Axel caught me staring. "Do you like jazz music, Emmy?"
I sighed deeply as I turned to him. "My dad took me to a jazz concert when I was small, I've been smitten ever since. But I don't listen to it like I used to."
I watched Julian as he played. At first, he played jazz, the sultry upbeat music carrying a light mood in the room. It was easy to get lost in it, to let the warm and bright melody take away any worry I had.
I sighed quietly and closed my eyes, leaning my head against the back of the chair I sat in.
The beat changed from jazz to something older. It was classical though I couldn't distinguish who would be the one to write it nor the style. It was soothing all the same albeit darker than the jazz. It was harsher, poignant ... sadder.
I gulped and opened my eyes, finding that Axel was no longer in the room.
The music shifted. It was no longer a discernable melody, it was freestyle then the jumble of notes of absolute pounding on the keys.
I turned to Julian sitting at the bench and froze. He was beating the piano keys with his fists as hard as he could.
Julian who had so much control over everything he did finally lost it. He didn't at any point show any remorse at the loss of his parents.
But now he did.
He sat on the bench, not moving, panting as soon as he realized what he was doing.
I moved to him, setting the book on the chair I'd been sitting in and settling on the bench next to him.
He didn't move as I sat quietly next to him. After a moment, I spoke, "Julian, I'm so sorry this happened."
He moved, placing his head in his hands. He sighed. "This was something I overlooked," he whispered. "I'm angry at myself."
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get him for this, Julian. I promise you, we will get him."
He looked at my hand then at me. "We have to ramp up your training. I've been taking it too easy on you. We have to work on your physical training much harder this time. Build your strength some more should he try to get ... physical." He barely got the last word out.
I cleared my throat, trying to lift the mood. "So, what's next? Tae kwon do? Ninja throwing stars? I've never been physical in my life but I can start."
He gave a small laugh. "Like what Naida showed you. Defensive maneuvers. Disarming should he get close to you. Your magic will be offense."
I gave a small nod. "Perfect." I stood. "Let's get back and get started."
He smiled, his grey eyes giving the familiar warmth I'd gotten so used to seeing when he looked at me.
I resisted the urge to bite my lip.
Gods, he was handsome.
"First," he said reaching into his pocket. "We have to take care of one more thing before we go back to Skryen." He placed a small black pouch into my hand.
It was ordinary, the kind of pouch that the kiosks at the mall would sell their "real rubies" in. It was black and velvet no bigger than the size of my hand. "What will be doing?"
His lip twitched upward. "We're going to Styx, City of the Dead."
I frowned. "I thought the Styx was a river?"
He nodded. "Well, there is a river under Styx but it doesn't exactly have water."
"What does it have?"
He shook his head. "Trust me. You don't want to know."