Haunted - A modern Astarion AU

Chapter Two

My brain was about to explode. I had spent the past three days re-reading two Jane Austen books and while I loved her books, I needed a break. Since I decided to make my presentation about Jane Austen as a person and her published work, I knew I had to read some biographies about her too and that was better than starting a third book.

I looked over at the clock and saw that it was already 10:42pm. The library would be closed to the public, but Nathalie had once given me a set of extra keys, because she knew I liked to study in peace, and she trusted me. "I'm sorry Tara, but I'll be back as soon as I can.", I quietly informed my cat as I picked her up from my lap and set her down on the couch next to me. She did a quick stretch and looked at me with big eyes, as if to say "Sure. I'll see you in six hours", which wouldn't have been a lie. I did tend to forget time whenever I was in the library, but this was important.

It was the end of November, so it was cold outside at this time, and I knew I had to wear something warm. Quickly I grabbed a warm hat and a scarf, which Astarion had left at my apartment a few days before he had decided to replace me. Sighing I tightened the scarf around my neck and while it didn't smell like him anymore, I took in a deep breath. As quick as I could, I put on my jacket and grabbed my bag in which I had stored my laptop. "I love you Tara", I quickly said into the living-room and with that I left my apartment.

⁂

About fifteen minutes later, I walked up the stairs of the huge library and I quickly unlocked the door, since it had just started snowing and I was freezing to death. Once I was inside, I turned on some of the dimmed lights, just so no one else would be disturbed by the bright lights and I locked the door behind me again. I knew the entire library by heart, and I of course knew exactly where all the Jane Austen books were. It didn't even take me two minutes to find a good Biography about her and a few more minutes later, I was sitting at a desk, writing down some notes about her personal life.

"Starving where the ground has frozen. The winter sun rise, red on white", I quietly sang along to a Hozier song, that was quietly playing on my laptop, and I felt relaxed. Sure, the pressure because of the presentation was there and I really wanted to teach here next year, but this is what I was best at. Working under pressure.

I didn't know how much time had passed but I was starting to get thirsty. It was good that our library had these vending machines with hot cocoa and coffee. With my reusable cup, I walked over to the vending machine and as I did so, I tightened the scarf around my neck. It was still cold in the library, since I didn't want to turn on the heating just for me. Standing in front of the machine, I didn't take long to decide to get a hot cocoa and while I waited for it to be prepared, my thoughts started to drift. Astarion's words about me never getting the job were starting to really bug me but it hurt even more, that he was sincere about that. He really thought I wouldn't get the job and that I didn't deserve it. Gone were our childhood dreams of us teaching at this university together. Gone were the days of us knowing everything about each other. I never really spend time thinking about him or us, because I knew I would have to stop lying to myself and I wasn't... My thoughts got interrupted by the sound of books falling from a shelf a few rows away and then I thought I heard some footsteps.

Quickly I grabbed my full cup and I turned towards the open room. "Hello? Is anyone out there?", I asked out loud, trying to keep my voice steady but I was met with complete silence. Shaking my head a bit, I walked back to my desk, already trying to come up with rational explanations for the noises and I started working on my presentation again. "Jane Austen listed her sister Cassandra as her heir", I continued taking notes about her personal life, when someone sat down on the chair opposite of me. The person had been as quiet and stealthy as a cat, making me jump in shock, but then I saw Astarion smugly grinning at me. My shock quickly turned into anger, and I let that show on my face.

"Do you really think a killer or robber would reveal themselves, if you ask if someone is here?", he asked me before I could say anything and that only made me angrier. "Don't you have anything better to do than fuck with me? How did you even get in here?". I had built up my walls again. My voice was steady, and I let him know how unwelcome he was, but Astarion just continued looking at me, as he started picking pieces of lint off his shirt. "Wouldn't it be too boring, if I told you?", he asked me, not breaking eye contact for a second and I immediately started feeling something in my stomach tightening, but I wouldn't back down. "Ah, seems we both chose the same author. What a coincidence.", Astarion continued and this time I got angry. "No. You are not doing this again. Fuck you", I hissed at him, knowing that I would have to restart researching about a different author, because once Astarion sets his mind on something, it is hard to convince him to do something else. I should have known that he would try to ruin the presentation for me.

Grabbing the Biography off the table, I started stalking over to the bookshelf again, just wanting to get rid of it but I heard Astarion following me, and I knew he wouldn't stop annoying me. "I sweat to god, I will throw this fucking book at your head", I warned him, gritting my teeth but I only heard him chuckle. "Sure, you will", he started teasing me and I had had enough of his bullshit. Quickly I turned around, raising my hand with the book in my hand and before Astarion could say anything, I threw the book at him. He did dodge it in time, but it was still close and at first, he seemed a bit surprised but that quickly turned into anger. My hand was still raised, when his hand wrapped around my wrist and he pushed me against the bookshelf, trapping me with his other hand next to my head. He used one leg to push against me and all I could think of was how close he was to me. It was too close.

Quickly my gaze met his and we both were scowling at each other. God, I forgot just how tall he was, but I couldn't back down. Not this time. I had let Ryan have this power over me for a year and I couldn't be in this situation again. No guy would ever do this to me again. I could feel the heat radiating off him, that's how close he was to me and if we weren't fighting, I would've appreciated it. "Did you really just throw that book at me, because I chose the same author as you?", Astarion hissed at me, but I only glared back at him after I forced myself not to flinch. "I told you to leave me alone. You always do this to me.", I spat back at him, and I could feel my heart bursting out of my chest. We have had our fights before, but it had never gotten this physical before. And while it reminded me of Ryan, it also felt so different. Whenever this happened with Ryan, he only had hatred and malice written all over his face but Astarion... I couldn't explain it. It seemed like his body language changed, when he noticed how scared I was, but he didn't stop yet.

"Look at that. I believe that scarf doesn't belong to you.", he suddenly said, changing the topic and he didn't sound angry anymore. He let go of my wrist and carefully started to tug at the scarf a little bit, looking at it. For a second, I just looked at him and I carefully put my arm down, but I instantly felt my fingernails digging into my palms again. I hated it when he played his stupid games. I hated it when he stopped being angry at me, whenever we fought because somehow, he was always the first to back down. "Here, take it back.", was all I could come up with and I quickly moved to take the scarf off but in a second, Astarion's hand was on top of mine, stopping me. My eyes searched his again and if I didn't know better, I would've said he looked sad, as he gently started to rub his thumb against my jaw. Shivers went down my spine and it felt like my skin was on fire, when he did that. "Keep it.", was all he said, as his gaze burned into mine and suddenly, I felt cold again, when he took a step back.

It felt like all the warmth was being taken from me and I couldn't look at him.  I didn't move at all, trying to make sense of what just happened but Astarion was back to his normal self. "I was just fucking with you, Evelyn. My presentation is about Agatha Christie.", he then informed me, as he started walking towards the exit. "Get some sleep soon.", he quickly added before leaving the building.

Dumbfounded I stared at the back of his head, and I had to take a moment. He had done this for fun and it didn't affect him at all. Once again angered by this, I picked up the Biography again and I started walking back to my desk, but I still felt his touch lingering on my jaw.