The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 12 ~ The Butterfly Communicator

The library's skylight glimmered with radiant sunlight. Patrons strolled with candles and books, sipping coffee or tea. Hedgehogs nestled inside peaceful alcoves with soft warm blankets. Curious dragonflies overlooked the vast array of bookshelves with jeweled spectacles.

Blue butterflies joined the flutter of pink butterflies in their dance, under the guise of regular butterflies while acting as surveillance. Their wings were cameras capturing detailed hologram videos wherever they went.

Because the butterflies were sentient and loyal to their master, they sent any relevant information to Casim. Because the butterflies bonded with their master, sharing their power with him, they were able to communicate telepathically with Casim

Casim leaned against a bookshelf in the library, holding two communicator devices. Both were tealish peacock blue and shaped like a butterfly, the same size as a phone or a comect. One was his personal device; the other he intended to give to Ireyna.

Casim followed Ireyna to the library after the butterflies showed him from their camera wings, of Ireyna and Drave flying in Everglass city and entering the library through the skylight.

Through the butterflies, Casim watched Ireyna as she read books. Some butterflies were too eager, visibly showing themselves to Ireyna in hopes of attaching onto her, drawn to her immense power.

After Ireyna pushed them away with a telekinetic wave, Casim asked the butterflies to hide from sight but to remain in the library. He arrived at the library via a wind current. The butterflies observed Ireyna from hidden alcoves several stories up.

Casim secretly watched as Drave and Erasmo tended to Ireyna. When Ireyna asserted she wanted to go home, Drave picked her up and flew upwards, leaving the library through the skylight. Erasmo reluctantly left the chocolate cake on a stack of books before he followed Drave.

Minutes later, a tall dark shadow moved soundlessly on the smooth hardwood flooring, and black boots walked to where Ireyna had been.

Casim ate the chocolate cake and investigated Ireyna's work, impressed with her show of power. He searched the aisle, understanding the reason she became upset. He took the same books Ireyna was reading earlier, pleased with the direction of progress.

The library fairies had trouble lifting the fallen bookshelves, since the bookshelves were so heavy and the fairies were hesitant to use their power. Casim helped the fairies move the bookshelves using kinetic energy. Casim was hired at the library after admitting he needed employment.

He enjoyed the quiet library work; it allowed him time to plan and scheme while organizing and categorizing books. He completed his day's work; now he relaxed in a library chair. His trench coat was draped over the chair he was sitting on.

As he thumbed through a space adventure novel, a memory came out of nowhere, and Casim remembered a flight where Ireyna had fallen asleep on the passenger seat beside him, tired from staying up at night to review the completion of a work assignment.

Casim placed an arm around Ireyna, allowing her to sleep on his shoulder. He put his trench coat over Ireyna to keep her warm, knowing she got cold easily.

When she woke up, Ireyna apologized for falling asleep on him, but Casim said it was no matter. He informed her they were a few hours away from their destination. The two colleagues went to get a nice breakfast of strawberry waffles and coffee.

Afterwards, Casim stood at the doorway of the ship's lounge, watching Ireyna read a book. He wasn't sure whether it was her power he wanted, or whether he thought of her as an attractive coworker he wanted to have fun with.