I stare at the pipe.The frost disappears like it was never there.
Could I be hallucinating?
But i know what i saw. I felt it. It was as real as my existence, that surge of power...
What does this all mean? My sudden apparent magical abilities, Devon, Antoine and Aurore...
How do they fit into all of this?
I feel like I'm on the verge of something. Something i can never come back from.
I head out of the bathroom in a daze and pull on a soft t-shirt and leggins.
A knock sounds on the door.
"Come in," I call softly.
Rumi bursts into the room dressed like her usual eccentric self.
She opens her mouth to speak but i interrupt her.
"If it's okay, could i maybe have breakfast in here?" I say.
"Oh," she says, deflated. "Of course that's okay."
She leaves the room and I'm not even in the right headspace to feel bad for being so short with her.
What can i do...
I would ask my father, but i doubt he would know anything about this. Besides, I doubt he would drag himself away from his precious bottles of beer long enough to talk to me.
Assuming he even recognises me, considering he's been in an alcohol induced haze for a few years.
No, he is not an option.
Rumi comes back with a tray laden with breakfast. I thank her quietly.
I pick at my food after she leaves, i don't have an appetite.
It's all too much.
I've just finished my pancakes when it hits me.
Mabel! There was something about her... she seemed to know something about me that i didn't.
I run downstairs and into the kitchen. Rumi is at the table on her phone.
"There you are! I was thinking maybe we could go on a walk, maybe watch the warriors spar?" She smiles eagerly.
Merdè.
I freeze.
Merdè? Where did that come from?
I've never taken French in my life.
"Ani? Where did you go just now?" Rumi laughs.
I shake my head to snap out of it.
"Actually, i was wondering if you know where Mabel might be?" I ask her.
She tilts her head, "Mabel?"
"Yeah, you know... the pack librarian?" I ask, puzzled.
Rumi bursts out laughing clutching her stomach. She's laughing so much tears leak out of the corner of her eyes.
"The pack librarian? There's no such thing, Ani." She manages to say, still laughing hysterically.
My blood runs cold.
"So, what you're saying is...you don't know Mabel?" I ask, my voice hitches. "You know, mid-sixties, glossy white hair, a little nosy?"
Rumi stops laughing as her brows furrow in concern.
"Ani, you sure you're doing okay? I don't know who that is..." She trails off, staring at me intently.
"Never mind."
I turn around and walk away before Rumi asks me any more questions.
I need to tread carefully, before she starts getting suspicious.
Goosebumps line across my skin.
I think back to that day. The sweet smell of Mabel's lavender perfume. Crying in her arms, confiding in her.
I talked to her. She spoke to me like she knew me.
Could Rumi be lying? What reason would she have to lie though?
It seems like the more i get closer to finding answers the more questions pop up...
****
ASHER
"So no one went through your men?" I ask calmly.
"Yes Ash, trust me. I interrogated every single one of them. Personally." Callum says, scrubbing his palm down his face.
Fuck. I drag my fingers through my hair roughly.
Ant is out gathering intelligence on any new covens causing disturbances within the area. Neither of us can get any rest, knowing Anita's attacker is still out there...
Devon. When i get my hands on him I'm going to rip him up.
Bone to bloody bone.
"Cal, i need you to do something for me." I say gruffly.
"Anything, Alpha." He says.
"I need you to find him." I slam my fist into the wall.
"Ash...you know i would do anything for you, and that extends to your mate too. But, what am i supposed to do? He vanished into thin air. Literally." Cal says tiredly.
I sink into the sofa and lower my head.
"Well then i don't know what other way you could be fucking useful! "I yell.
"Ash." He warns.
I laugh derisively.
"I think i know a way, but you're not gonna like it."
****
ANITA
I take a deep breath and push open the door to the library, taking it in.
It looks exactly the same. Nothings changed.
I do a lap around, trying to search for clues of Mabel's existence.
Give me something, anything at all. I beg the universe silently.
I'm doing my second lap around when i spot something i could have sworn wasn't there before.
A little black door.
I run over to it and push it open tentatively. It opens to a small dark room filled with more books and papers.
Dust hangs thick in the air and cobwebs line the ceiling. Looks like no one's been here in a while.
In the far corner is a table.
My mind flashes back to Mabel making me tea that day, telling me how tea is her favourite thing in the world.
On top of it is a teacup.
I rush over to it and touch it. It's still warm...
She was here.
Next to it is a black book engraved with the words La voisine.
I grab it and run my fingers over the thick leather. It looks old, worn out...loved.
My fingers dance along the spine. It feels like it's calling out to me. Begging me to open it and devour it's contents.
"Aurore..." A voice whispers.
I jump.
"Wh-who's there?" I call out shakily.
"Aurore..."
"This isn't funny!" I yell.
Suddenly all i hear is the sound of rushing wind before the darkness envelopes me.