Love and Bloody Cupcakes

2

Watching Rosie with all the cannibal children was adorable to watch. I chuckled as she held one of them on her hip and held the hand of another. A small army of children followed behind her. Her sunshine smile made the scene so much better than it already was. I followed the large group over to the park. My eyes widened in awe at the sight of the library. It was a large tree with a dome at the top of it. Denizens walked in and out of it, none with books though. That part was odd for a library, but who was I to judge? 

"This place is magical," Rosie murmured to the children as all of us waltzed inside. I was taken aback by books with wings that flew around the rafters and branches. Rows upon rows of books stood tall like a maze behind the main help desk. I noticed two girls that walked around a smaller desk and petted cats that slept on top of it. 

"Rosie! I was wondering when you were coming! I made some tea for you all to share." My attention fell to a low, calming voice. A demon with illuminating light blue skin walked up to us. Her eyes were black voids with bright blue irises. She wore a white button-down and khakis that looked like they came out of the 1800s. Her smile was warm and inviting. But the aura that surrounded her was suffocating. Whatever power she had held itself up without her even trying. She held a large stack of children's books. "I did not have many cannibal-friendly ones, so I created a few myself. Enjoy a few Astra Amore originals." 

"Astra! Oh, stars it has been ages since we last spoke! I have so much to tell you!" Rosie skipped over with a delighted grin! Rosie grabbed the books from Astra's hands and motioned the children over. "Now, you little ones know where to go right? Astra made a lovely children's section. I expect all of you to stay there and read quietly!" Everyone grabbed a book and ran straight for a section covered in rainbows, stuffed animals, and child-friendly weapons. "Astra, have you met Madeline yet?" 

"No, I do not believe I have had the pleasure." My attention turned toward the two women. I tried to give a nice smile as Astra grabbed my hand within her claws. "Wonderful to meet you, Madeline. Welcome to my library." 

"Your library is beautiful! There is so much to read! It's wonderful." Astra's smile widened as she chuckled. 

"Well, you are always welcome. You and Rosie, of course." A certain glint filled Astra's eye as she glanced at the cannibal overlord. "I'm sure I will see you two here together more often now if Rosie is willing to introduce you to me." Red crashed on Rosie's cheeks as she waved the other off. 

"Oh, Astra, always the kidder." Rosie playfully slapped the other's arm. "We should go be with the kids. Do you want to grab us some books? I'll pour us some tea." 

"What do you like to read?" I inquired. 

"I'll read anything." Rosie said as she headed toward the children's section. I noticed that the red on her cheeks fell to her neck the further away she walked. Astra chuckled beside me before she waved me to follow. 

"She's hopeless. But a wonderful friend," Astra commented lightly. "I have a whole section dedicated to her tastes. I'll hand you a book she is sure to like. She tends to love darker romance novels." The two women I found at the small desk earlier held a pointed gaze toward me. I gulped as I stood at the main help desk and Astra stepped behind it. "Don't mind my daughters. They are rather protective. They get it from their mother." 

"You're protective?" I asked.

"Well, I meant their actual mother, but yes I am also the protective type."  Astra waved a hand and opened a portal. Amazement filtered through my expression as her hand slipped through and pulled out a book. "What do you like to read, dear? I can grab you something as well." 

"Oh, just a simple adventure for me," I muttered. 

"Flor de luna, are you done? I would like to use your portals to move some products." A woman with dark purplish-grey skin clinked in her ballet slippers as she walked up from somewhere in the back. Her silver hair was pointed up in horns on her head. Dark crimson eyes glared daggers into me as Astra pulled out another book.