A Thousand Year Obsession ✔

31. Don't Push Him

31. Don't Push Him

I pulled the cloak tight around my body, shivering in the icy air. My slippers padded silently across the stone floors, and my head periodically glanced backwards to assure I wasn't being followed. The tapestries along the wall moved faintly as I pasted, a result of the magic flaring uncontrolled because of my nervousness.

I glanced back quickly as I came to a silent halt before a single, dark wood door. My fingers rested barely against the smooth surface, my chin tilted back as I scanned the hall. Nothing but the fluttering tapestries answered my silent beckoning. I turned back to the door and rapped against it. One. Twice. Three times. There was no answer.

My hand fell to the handle and I turned it swiftly, craning my head back to make sure no one snuck up on me. The door slid open without a sound and I quickly stepped inside and shut it behind me, turning swiftly to glance about the room. I started inwardly as my gaze fell upon the figure lying awkwardly beneath the midnight black sheets on the four-poster bed set in the opposite corner. Raven colored curtains covered the window on the far wall, showering the bedroom in darkness. Opened books littered the small window couch, half of which a blanket partly covered. I bit my lip, watching Derek closely from the corner of my eye as I crept towards the dresser on the righthand wall. I glanced through the junk piled atop the dusty surface before carefully sliding open the first drawer, then the next, quickly progressing my way down the column until I reached the last one. But the drawers held nothing but clothes and worthless objects. I stepped back, frowning as I glanced over the dresser once more, then I turned and searched underneath it, the bed, and the couch. Still, my insistence proved unresultfull.

I sighed inwardly, glancing at the sleeping figure once before settling down on the floor. I exhaled deeply and executed the process I'd used earlier that night. I closed my eyes, clearing my mind of every thought before focusing gently on the book I needed so desperately. And again I felt the connection tugging at my heart, but instead of a faint pull guiding my mind to its place of hiding, it jerked at my body, pitching me from my position on the floor and nearly tossing me atop the sleeping form. My breath caught as my hand clasped around the bed post to prevent my collision with the honey haired man. I waited frozen for him to wake, but he remained still and silent, his eyes closed and fluttering slightly, his breath even and heavy. But still I didn't move, only brought my free hand beneath the mattress, searching swiftly every direction. I'd nearly given up when my fingers brushed worn leather just beneath the headboard. I hurriedly pulled it out and stumbled back away from the bed. My gaze searched through the darkness to identify the words on the binding of the book, though the satisfied connection in my chest alone confirmed that this was indeed my very own book of magic.

I turned and started for the door. My fingers nearly reached the knob before a heavy, warm hand fell atop my arm. I stiffened, suddenly conscious of the heavy, sleep-filled breathing behind me. The pounding of my heart quickened and my fingers curled even more tightly around the book.

"Morgana . . . ?" Confusion laced his tired tone.

I inhaled shortly, clenching my eyes shut before I turned around quickly, hiding the book behind my back, and kissed Derek firmly on the lips. Then I turned and darted out the door, leaving him in a frozen bafflement behind me as I spit and clawed at my lips to rid them of the disgusting germs they now surely held.

But the distraction worked. Derek neglected to follow me. He didn't even have a clue that I now possessed the one item that could eventually result in my escape.

I tried to remember the way back to my bedroom, but the previous trip had been made with the guidance of the connection to a book I hadn't even known existed before. I received no such help on this journey. But after what felt like an eternity of wandering, I somehow managed to find my way back to my room.