Unexpected Love

Chapter Fourteen

  “Skiler!” I almost didn't acknowledge the voice until I recognized that deep tone.
  Kendrick jogged his way next to me as I sprinted around the campus. I was really starting to get out of shape from all the food I've been eating here.
  I felt my heart in my throat as I looked at his molten eyes and smirk. I haven't talked to him since he practically friend-zoned me in his dorm room.
  “Hey.” I smiled back, although I know it wasn't as bright as my usual smiles at him.
  “I've been looking everywhere for you. I haven't seen you since last night. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way that I acted, I didn't want you to think-”
  I waved my hand, not wanting to hear him embarrass me again. “Don't worry about it. We were both drunk and just having fun. Friends again?”
  Hey gave me an unreadable expression before he hid it with a smile. “Friends. So, who's chasing us?” He asked, looking around us as if he just now realized we were full-on running at this point.
  I laughed. “I need to work out more. My ass is about to have it's own zip code at this point. Not to mention, it's all I ever hear about from the guys in the hallways.” I frowned at the memory of all the whispers that have been following me around since I got here.
  Kendrick glared around us as if he was looking for the offender. “Who the hell said that?”
  I shrugged. “Just some guys. It's not a big deal.” I said, looking over at him.
  Kendrick clenched his jaw. “If anyone gives you a hard time, then you come to me.”
  I snorted. “I'm a big girl, Ken. I can take care of it myself.”
  “Oh, I have no doubt about it, shortcake. I’d just like to be the one to do it.”
  I grinned. “Fine, deal.” I slowed my pace to a walk as I let myself catch my breath.
  “You wanna have a movie night tonight?”
  I started to say yes before I remembered what Quinton and I witnessed earlier today. “Actually, I'm thinking of breaking into the library tonight.”
  Kendrick looked at me as if I had just turned into one of those dick nose trolls. “Who breaks into the library.”
  I rolled my eyes. “Someone who wants to go into the restricted section.”
  He raised his eyebrows in interest. “And what are we looking for in this restricted section?”
  I chewed on my lip before exhaling. “Something to do with what's going on in the woods.”
  Kendrick’s back straightened. “Are you sure that's such a good idea.”
  “Not at all, but something's going down tonight. Quinton and I could feel it.”
  Kendrick nodded. “I'll go with you in case you run into any trouble. There are magic wards all over that area.”
  I nodded my head. “Okay. But this stays between me and you.”
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  “What the fuck, Ken?!” I whisper yelled as I saw both Kendrick and Bryxon standing at the spot behind the bleachers where I told him to meet me.
  Kendrick blushed before looking over at Bryxon. “I'm a shit liar. Plus, Bryxon beat it out of me.”
  I looked him up and down, looking for any injuries. “I asked him what he was doing tonight and he said that you two were planning a secret heist.” Bryxon said with a smirk.
  I glared at Kendrick. “So much for secrets, Ken.”
  “I can't believe you didn't Invite me. What happened to us being partners in crime?” Bryxon looked at me offended.
  I rolled my eyes. “Well, you stick like a flame in the night with your red hair and fiery fingers.”
  “I can keep them extinguished if you want,” Bryxon said in a sex laced voice.
  I swallowed… twice, before muttering. “Let's go.”
  We made our way to the completely darkened part of the campus where the library was located.
  Bryxon whistled quietly while walking with his hands in his pockets. “You know, they say that the library was built on ancient ground. They say if you look hard enough, secret passages are lined all the way around campus.”
  I glared at him before putting a silencing bubble around us. “This isn't a movie, Bry.”
  “Obviously not or else we'd have a sick soundtrack to this mission.”
  I rolled my eyes, making my way around the miss coated stone building, towards the window I left slightly cracked earlier today. “Shit,” I cursed, trying to slide open the now locked window.
  “This was your plan?” Bryxon asked in a time that would rival Colt’s arrogant attitude.
  “Don't listen to him. We found another entrance in case this didn't work out.” Kendrick said, giving me an apologetic look.
  I grumbled my displeasure before following them. We walked along the side of the old stone wall of the library, towards a smaller building hidden in the back.
  Kendrick walked over, looking up at a window that was higher up off the ground. I was going to ask him how he planned on opening it until I noticed the way he was standing. Still. So still. It didn't even look like he was breathing.
  I watched as the window unlocked, the sound echoing in the quiet night. “Did you just-”
  “Hop on up, firecracker.” Bryxon said, holding his hands together to boot me up.
  I looked back at the window Kendrick was climbing through. I shook my head, blaming it on my mentally insane mind.
  “I can do it on my own you know.” I said, ignoring Bryxon’s hands and reaching to grab the window sill.
  “Yeah, but those little legs aren't going to do much,” Bryxon said before practically launching me through the window.
  Kendrick helped me down like the gentleman he is. Bryxon's smug face came through the window seconds later, making me narrow my eyes. “For your information, 5’4 is a normal height for women.”
  That smirk grew so wide I clenched my teeth. “Yeah, for human women.”
  “You little-” I stumbled, cutting my words off as Kendrick dragged me down the dusty corridor. “Where are we?”
  “It's the only entrance not warded. It hasn't been used in decades.” Kendrick explains, flicking on a flashlight. Shit, I didn't even think of bringing one. I'm officially the worst criminal.
  “I can tell.” I muttered, looking at the disused torches along the walls.
  “We found the blueprints for the library from when they did some renovations a while back. Headmaster Oxford keeps them on the bookshelf in his office.” Bryxon said, putting the palm of his hand on my back as he held me close.
  Kendrick snorted. “The wards are placed in the main library entrances mainly just so students won't vandalize the place at night. They don't expect any students to actually think about stealing books.”
  We weaved our way through the corridors and into the stacks of books in the library. The place was eerily silent at night, adding to the haunted atmosphere this place has during the daytime.
  We passed over the ward put in place for the restricted section. I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at Kendrick and Bryxon. “Shouldn't an alarm go off?”
  Kendrick trailed a finger down the spine of a book. “Not unless you take a book through.”
  “Then how are we supposed to sneak one out?”
  Bryxon whirled around on me. “Whoa now, Skiler. You said that you wanted to sneak into the library, not steal a book.”
  “Why the hell would I want to sneak in here if I wasn't anything?” I asked, throwing my hands in the air.
  “If I could read your mind then I'd tell you. Just look for the book and read it so we can get out of here,” Bryxon groaned, leaning his back against one of the bookcases.
  A low grinding sound came as the bookcases slid into the wall, making Bryxon fall on his ass.
  All thoughts of the book left my mind as I saw…
  “Seriously? This is the most cliche shit I have ever seen,” I said as a secret passage exposed itself.
  Bryxon got up, dusting debris off his jeans. “I was totally lying about there being secret tunnels by the way.”
  “We shouldn't go in there.” Kendrick’s voice rang out, making me look back at him. I didn't even realize that I was walking into the passageway.
  I shook my head. “Right.” I looked back at the open doorway, darkness the only thing visible beyond.
  The bookcase groaned, moving back into place upon Bryxon pressing a button hidden inside the passage doorway.
  I breathed in deeply before making my way through shelves and shelves of books. I didn't even know what I was looking for exactly, but I knew I'd know it when I saw it.
  “What about this one?” Bryxon asked, holding up a book made of leather.
  I didn't feel any dark magic surrounding the book which could be a good thing or a bad sign. I flipped through the pages, the language written inside was ancient, and definitely nothing I have seen before.
  “There.” Kendrick pointed at a symbol lining one of the pages, the intricate details of it, beautiful and haunting.
  “What?” I asked, trying to picture where I've seen it before. The memory slipping through my fingers like sand.
  “Willow Richards has that tattoo.” Bryxon said, his face noticeably paler.
  “Quinton said that he suspected she's linked to the group so that makes sense.” I looked down at the pages of scribbled text. “But what does all of this mean?”
  Kendrick ran his hand through his hair. “That this is all fucked up.”
  Yes, indeed it is.
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