Chapter 5 #2
Sitting on the rickety wooden chair, warmed by the sunlight streaming through the domed glass ceiling, I cast a low-strength repelling spell under my breath.
Now if anyone comes up here, they’ll feel compelled to look away from me, and even the chattiest neighbour won’t have any desire to talk to me.
Perfect. Donning the gloves lest I face the wrath of Giles, I decide to start from the top of the stack of titles reserved for academics and work my way down.
The first couple of titles turn out not to be much use and I’m beginning to think the afternoon might be a waste bar the fact I’ve enjoyed being swaddled in the comforting scent of old books, but hope flickers to life in my chest when I scan the contents page of the third chunky volume.
There. Mindful not to rush in my eagerness, I carefully flip through the pages until I find the chapter I’m looking for.
The most common reason behind recurring visions in a witch who drew the moon card at their Naming is that they are seeing their fated mate.
It is not uncommon for moon witches to have visions of their mate in the days before they meet.
The longest recorded case of this kind of recurring vision was in 1864 when moon witch Lucinda Pierce received visions of her fated mate for eleven consecutive days.
I sit back in shock. That can’t be right. Pushing aside the book I open the next one from Giles’s selection, scanning the contents for anything useful. OK, got something. I hastily flip to the right page, foot tapping nervously. This book must have another explanation for my visions.
Moon witches often receive recurring visions of their fated mate or mates in the days immediately leading up to their meeting.
This usually lasts for three to five days but can continue on for longer.
The longest recorded instance of a recurring vision of a fated mate was eleven days.
Considering the deeply personal nature of the subject, independent researchers and the Supernatural Investigation Bureau believe it is possible some moon witches have seen visions of their mates for a longer period of time without disclosing the information.
Jittery with nerves, I scour the rest of the books Giles gave me, growing more and more anxious as each book provides the same explanation.
I reach for the next book only to realise I’ve reached the bottom of the pile.
Oh. My. Stars. I lean back in my chair, digesting the information in stunned silence.
I don’t know what I’d been expecting—something bad if I’m being honest—but it certainly wasn’t this.
My fated mate. Is that really what’s happening here?
All the books with chapters on recurring visions certainly point that way…
but they also said eleven days is the longest recorded example of a moon witch getting visions of their mate.
I’ve been seeing Golden Boy for almost three weeks—nineteen days to be exact.
Is that too long? No. One of these books said experts speculate that some moon witches have visions of their mate for longer without telling anyone.
My fingers tap against the desk in a staccato rhythm.
I’m trying not to get my hopes up in case the vision turns out to be about something else.
Most supes wait a long time to meet their fated mate—I’m only twenty-five, young even by human standards from what I’ve heard.
But if the man in my vision isn’t my mate, who is he?
More importantly, why does the thought of him not being my fated send an arrow of pain straight through my heart?
I wish Esmeray were still here—she’d know what was going on.
Shaking off my wistfulness, I pull out my notebook and jot down everything I’ve learned.
I wish I could take the books home with me to read all the way through, or at least come back to the library and work my way through them.
It’s beyond unfair that key information like this isn’t part of Academy level training for moon witches, and I can only imagine the other secrets hidden within the pages of these books.
When I’m finished, a sigh filled with longing escapes me.
I can’t ask Giles to help me more than he already has.
If anyone found out he gave me access to academic titles without the proper paperwork, he could get in serious trouble—he’d certainly lose his job at the library.
Tilting my head back as if the sky might hold the answer to my problem, I notice the golden hue to the light shining through the glass ceiling telling me it’s near sunset.
The library doesn’t close for a couple more hours…
A mischievous smile plays on my lips. No reason I can’t stay and read as much as I can until then.
Esmeray didn’t have time to teach me everything she learned throughout her long life before she died, but hopefully this will fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge.
The free-spirited witch would approve of my breaking the rules for once.
She always said I was too well behaved, and I’d always remind her not all of us were old enough to consider the newer laws a mere suggestion.
Smiling at the memory of her twinkling blue eyes, I get comfortable, reopen the book closest to me, and uncap my pen ready to take copious notes.
When the sky above has long since transformed into a blanket of stars and the library lights flicker on and off to let everyone know it’s closing time, I flex my cramping hand then pack up my stuff.
Stiff from sitting in the same position for so long, I’m slow making my way downstairs.
A few other stragglers are still packing up when I reach the ground floor, and Giles glares at them from behind the help desk.
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
The reminder of the reason I came here in the first place makes my heart flutter. “Yes. Thank you.”
He bobs his head in acknowledgement before turning to flick the lights off and on again. Chuckling at his impatience, I head for the door.
Will I really meet my fated mate soon? I wonder what he’s like.
The vision doesn’t give any indication as to what kind of supernatural he is.
Could he be a witch like me, or something else?
It doesn’t matter to me, but what if he’s unhappy I’m a moon witch?
Would fate really be so cruel? Zipping up my jacket to fight against the chilly night air, I begin the short walk back to my cottage.
There’s no sense in worrying—easier said than done, but true nonetheless.
If what I’ve read is any indication, Golden Boy and I could cross paths any day now.
Fate knows what it’s doing. I just need to be patient.