I froze. My hands tightened around the book as the presence loomed behind me. My heart thumped violently against my ribs, and for a split second, every rational thought abandoned me.
Was Lucian planning to snap my neck tonight or Alexander who had suddenly disappeared.
"Who's there?" I whispered, voice trembling.
The lights suddenly came back on but I could still feel the presence of someone.
The presence remained silent for a heartbeat, then a small familiar, timid voice, broke the oppressive quiet.
"Miss Elena…?"
Ezekiel stepped into the library, his small frame holding a pair of slippers in his hands. His dull red eyes widened slightly as he took in my posture, stiff and defensive, fingers gripping the book like it was a shield.
"You… scared me half to death!" I exclaimed, dropping the book slightly in my panic.
Ezekiel's expression shifted from confusion to mild alarm. "I… I'm sorry, Miss Elena. The lights has been giving some issues, I'm sure it willf from fixed by tomorrow."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. My hands were shaking, and I felt the flush of heat risen to my cheeks begin to disappear.
"You… you just… appeared! I thought…" I struggled for words. "I thought someone was…"
"Someone was what?" Ezekiel asked softly, tilting his head. "I'm just here with the slippers. Did something happen?"
I exhaled sharply, my tension unraveling slightly, but not completely. "You startled me! That's all!" I insisted, waving a hand vaguely toward him. My voice was louder than I intended, echoing off the tall shelves, making me cringe instantly.
Ezekiel's brow furrowed, but he didn't seem offended. "It's alright. I didn't mean to startle you," he said quietly.
He added, "The pack house rarely gets intruders. You don't have to worry about anything you're safe as long as Alexander says so."
I froze at his words. My mind whirred. That was not the first tiime I'd heard those words, Kael had also said I was safe as long as Alexander says so.
I wonder if it is a Alpha kind of stuff or something else.
"As long as he said so," I muttered as I chuckled nervously.
Those words weren't comforting one bit.
'As long as he says so.'
I should better think of how to get in his good books from now on if I want Kathy and I to be safe.
Ezekiel gave me a careful look, then turned and walked toward the door again, leaving me all alone in the library.
I sank back into the couch, letting my legs stretch out beneath me. The slippers were slightly too big, but warm, and the soft leather against my feet grounded me in the present. I exhaled slowly and tried to return to the book, but the words refused to settle. My mind kept flitting back to Alexander.
I wonder where he'd suddenly disappeared to. He was behind me a second ago and then he was gone. Was there a back door in the library or something.
Maybe he'd something urgent to do.
Elena, you need to mind your business, so you can get out of here alive.
I opened the book again. Palgrim. The northern region. Witch clans. Temples built on dark magic. Names I couldn't even begin to pronounce. Yet, something about reading aloud had helped. The words now seemed a little less alien. I forced myself to focus, letting the sentences carry me.
An hour passed in a fog of history and legends. I traced my fingers along the other four books Ezekiel had brought. I wanted to dive into those next, but exhaustion tugged at me like an invisible hand. My eyes drooped again, and I knew I couldn't keep this up much longer.
I placed the book down on the small wooden table beside the couch and stretched, my muscles stiff from sitting in the same position. The library was quiet, calm now, save for the distant sounds of the house, soft footsteps of the servants, the gentle clatter of something in the kitchen.
It was normal.
Silence.
I loved it so much.
Slumping back against the cushions, I let my eyes close for a moment. Just a few minutes.
A faint sound made me snap awake. Footsteps?
"Miss Elena…?"
I blinked, Ezekiel. He had returned once again, this time carrying a cup of tea.
"I… thought you might need this," he said softly, placing the warm cup on the table beside me.
I stared at the tea, then at him, then back at the book in my hands. "Thank you," I said with a smile.
He settled on the stool again, legs swinging lightly as he looked at me. "You've been reading for hours, Miss Elena. Aren't you going to go to bed?"
I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I… I want to know more. About Palgrim. About the temple."
Ezekiel tilted his head, observing me carefully. "There isn't much to know about Palgrim. It is just a place, it's the people you should know more about." He said.
I exhaled, leaning back into the couch and asked, "How do I do that?"
"You should visit Palgrim if you're so interested." He said, his dim red eyes calm.
"That's fine. I'm okay." I waved my hand quickly, dismissing the idea.
"Witches from Palgrim are very welcoming as long as you aren't a threat to them."
His words made my heart feel calm, that means my father must be safe there then. I'd really like to visit them but I know Alexander would surely be against it.
I wonder what we were running from and why we're being kept here.
I smiled at him and said, "I don't want to."
He didn't press further and poured some tea into my cup. The steam curled in the air like quiet smoke, and I took a small sip. Warmth spread through me, settling my restless thoughts for a moment.
"Thank you, Ezekiel," I murmured.
He inclined his head. "You're welcome."
"You've read the first book for a long time," Ezekiel said gently. "Do you want me to bring the next one over?"
I blinked at him, startled that he noticed. "Yes… please."
He stood, walking quietly over to the stack of books, and returned a moment later. I reached for it, still feeling the warmth of the tea in my other hand.
As I opened the new book, I realized I could read more clearly, the words slowly starting to form patterns I could understand. My mind felt sharper, despite the late hour.
Ezekiel stayed in the room quietly, occasionally glancing at me to see if I needed anything. "Would you like some more tea?" he asked after a while.
"Yes, please," I said, grateful for the interruption. My throat was dry from speaking the names of places aloud.
While he poured another cup, I traced a map of Palgrim in my mind, trying to connect the dots between mountains, rivers, and the temple. Every detail mattered. Every piece of information might help me understand where my father had been taken.
"Do you… often read about Palgrim?" I asked quietly, not looking up.
Ezekiel paused, his hands still on the tray. "I have access to many books. Palgrim is… an interesting place. Full of history, of power. Dangerous, yes, but fascinating."
I nodded, turning another page. The smell of old paper mixed with the faint scent of tea and the warmth of the room, a quiet comfort amidst the urgency in my mind.
He handed me the new cup, placing it gently beside my elbow. "Careful. Don't spill it on the book."
I smiled faintly. "I'll try not to."
He returned to his stool, legs swinging lightly again. "Are you going to sleep soon, Miss Elena?"
I shook my head again. "Not yet. Just… a little longer. I want to read."
He nodded, understanding, and said nothing more. I felt a strange calm with him around. No teasing. No pressure. Just quiet, polite presence, letting me be with the books.
For the next hour, I lost myself entirely. I read about Palgrim's northern mountains, the temple of dark magics, the oldest witches and their rituals. I tried to memorize every detail. Every time I glanced at Ezekiel, he was still quietly watching, not hovering, just there.
The library's lights hummed softly, the clock ticked steadily, and outside, the garden was silent, bathed in moonlight. I took small sips of tea, letting my mind absorb the details. The world of Palgrim was unfolding before me and I found it utterly fascinating.
I gulped down the remaining content in the cup and passed it to Ezekiel.
Ezekiel got up from the stool, carried the tray and walked out of the library.
My eyelids were heavy, and the words on the pages seemed to blur together. I laid down on the couch allowing my body to sink into the couch.
Slowing exhaustion kicked in,the book slowly slipped from my hand, landing on my lap.
I couldn't fight it anymore the sleep anymore as I gave in.