Chapter 14
Cethin
I know Anja is in the room the moment she walks into the library. I don't know if I'm picking up on her scent, the sound of her footsteps, or if there's something else that tells the bond between us that she's around, but I know it.
I look up and wave her over to the table I'm at. She pulls out the chair next to me and leans in to kiss my cheek before sitting down.
"Hi."
"Hey," she says. "Should I be disappointed that you didn't invite me here to make out in the library?" She waves at the huge stack of books on the table in front of us.
I chuckle. "I don't think Ms Thornhill would like that very much."
"I wasn't planning on telling the librarian what we were up to," she jokes, her eyes shining with amusement. "But I will concede that there are better dark corners for that." She places her hand on my leg under the table, a little higher than she should, considering where we are.
"I wouldn't mind you showing some of them to me," I joke.
She raises an eyebrow, and she moves her hand even higher still. My body responds instantly. Mostly because every part of me has been on alert since the moment she walked in.
"Even if you don't want to..."
A low growl escapes from me. "I never said I didn't want to. You're my mate, Anja. Trust me, I really want to."
She meets my gaze, and I'm surprised to find a similar amount of desire swirling in her eyes. She bites her bottom lip, and it's all I can do not to take hold of her hand and drag her to the back of the library where there is slightly more privacy.
Though the risk of getting caught is still a little too high for my liking. That's not how our first time together should be.
I clear my throat. "I actually thought you should see this," I say, forcing my attention back to the stack of books. I search through it for the one I'm looking for. "Aha." I find the one with the dark red cover and hand it to her.
She takes it from me, a curious expression on her face. "The history of the bean sídhe?"
I nod. "Banshees."
"Why...oh. You think that's what I am."
"You'll know better than I will," I respond.
"You've experienced your dreams, whereas I've only heard about them.
But a few of the things you've said made me think about omen-related beings.
You said you sensed when your hamster was going to die, and then there was a moment where I just got that sense from you. I can't fully explain that one."
"So why banshees?"
"Because they're what you described." I gesture to the book.
She flips it open and scans the first few pages.
I watch her read, nervously waiting for her verdict.
I'm not sure whether I want to be right or not.
On the one hand, it'll give her the answers that I know she's been searching for, on the other, I can't imagine it'll be nice for her to know that she can predict death.
But everything adds up. Her dreams started at the right age, the colour of her hair, the descriptions she's given of the women in her dreams, and even the dreams themselves.
I don't think she's prophesying anyone's death, it's just her powers awakening, but that doesn't mean it's not going to be stressful.
Anja lets out a small gasp.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"This woman." She taps a page of the book.
I lean over and look at the picture she's pointing to. "She looks a bit like you," I say.
"She's the woman from my dreams." Her voice is barely above a whisper, but I hear it.
"Are you sure?" I scan the caption, but it doesn't reveal very much.
"Yes." Anja sets the book down, a confused expression on her face.
I guess that leaves no doubt in my mind about what she is. There's no way this can be a coincidence.
"I need air," she murmurs, pushing her chair back and racing away before I even have time to process her words.
I stare after her, confused by what I'm supposed to do. Should I follow her? She didn't say not to, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Clearly she needs this book and the information in it. I grab it and head over to the desk where Ms Thornhill is watching the library intently.
"Ah, Cethin, you're still here," she says.
I smile. "I am, it took me a while to get through all the books you found me."
"It must be a very interesting project you're working on," she says.
I think of the beautiful potential-banshee who has just gone running from the room.
"The most interesting I've ever worked on," I respond.
"Is it okay if I check this one out? I just need to run an errand before I come back and deal with the others.
" I feel bad for leaving them, but I need to get back to Anja.
"It's fine, I can put them back," the librarian responds. "Let me see the one you want."
I hand it to her.
She clicks his tongue and flips through a ledger in front of her. "No one's wanted this one in a long time."
"It's a subject of special interest to me." Which isn't even a lie.
"A fascinating one too. Banshees carry a load far greater than you, or I could ever imagine." She hands the book to me. "All yours. Just make sure you bring it back in a couple of weeks."
"You know I will." I'm already turning and slipping it into my bag, anxious to go find Anja and make sure she's okay.
I hurry out of the library, surprised to find a raven sitting at the top of the stairs to the main floor of the academy.
I guess I'm not the only one worried about her.