The Gate of Shadows

Chapter 34: The Forbidden Library

Surprisingly, Fenris's presence in the library brought less than my usual unwanted glares. Unlike I usually did, he seemed to repel them instead of attracting them. Perhaps the other witches and warlocks didn't want to anger the future headmaster.

I don't know, but having you here makes everything oddly peaceful.

The silver wolf closed his eyes, laying his head on the shared table, patiently waiting for me to finish what I was doing. At no moment did he rush me to get everything done. It was peaceful even though he had to be bored out of his mind.

However, I could feel his gaze on me whenever I stood up to look for a book, watching me protectively.

Are you trying to shield me from everything around us? Or everyone from me?

Pushing aside those thoughts, I went for one of the shelves. This library was enchanted to have many different rows of books, though not all were accessible to its members. This made researching the realm within me almost impossible.

All the books with any factual information were out of my reach. Much to Fenris's displeasure, it wasn't long until Cora came into the room looking for me. The moment she spotted me by the bookshelves, she closed the gap between us within seconds.

Her sudden approach startled me, prompting me to drop the books I held onto the floor.

"Lilith!" she beamed, radiantly as always, triggering me to take a few steps back.

A soft sigh left me, leaning to collect the books; however, before I could pick one up, she swiftly grabbed them and handed them to me, all with her smile on display.

How are you so full of energy all the time?

"Cora... What do you want this time?" I asked, grabbing onto the books from her hands.

She never knew when to give up; I couldn't count the times this event happened.

"So cold! I missed you so much! I thought I did something good last time we saw each other!" She professed, grabbing hold of my hips and pulling me onto her.

I placed the books between her and me.

Handsy and pushy!

I still felt Fenris's warmth within me and on my lips—something I didn't want her to wipe with her touch.

"I think you and I have two different versions of what happened," I shook my head, trying to figure out how to get out of this.

Sadly, she never quit, no matter how coldly I rejected her.

"How cruel to ignore the fireworks that happened?! You didn't like my passionate k—" Fenris dropped a book on her head, interrupting Cora before she could finish.

She was too preoccupied with me to pay attention to Fenris, who walked over to us. His eyes were glowing and narrowed before pulling me away from her and towards him. I was a doll in a fight between two apex predators.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, bloodsucker," he warned angrily.

Cora turned to face him, eyes glowing as well, nostrils flared, ready to tango with the wolf.

"Ouch! How dare you hit me?! You mongrel! Brute! Let go of Lilith right this instant!" Cora confronted him fearlessly.

He smirked, holding me tightly by my hip, bringing me a warmth that Cora didn't.

"You're out of line," Fenris answered, leaving her huffing cheeks puffed.

I had never seen anyone get under her skin before; I always thought she was more of a ditz than anything else.