Colliding Hearts #Wattys2017

Chapter 9- The Book Thief

Emerson had made it to the library, pausing in awe at the rows and rows and tall and filled book shelves. The entire room was grand, with large long tables placed in the center with lamps in the center of each and wooden chairs pushed underneath.

The ceiling was a large dome that gave way to the bright sun outside, lighting the room in a warm glow. The room smelled of paper and old leather and the scent made Emerson smile, momentarily getting lost in the comforting feel the room seemed to offer.

It was almost as if stepping foot in this room she forgot what she was doing here, being overwhelmed with the many books. Like a child she rushed forward, running up the wrought iron stairs to the second floor and just as the large doors clanged open, she hid behind more bookshelves. She waited silently as she heard people speaking in a worried tone.

"Are you sure she's in here?" Clary spoke in worry, the Institute was large and she didn't want to risk Emerson getting lost or hurt.

Simon and Izzy offered a shared nod, as they walked further into the room, looking on the second floor for her. Jace and Alec followed behind, Jace still in awe from having mistaken his girlfriend's twin for his girlfriend, then again even Clary's own parabatai, and Simon hadn't realized it wasn't Clary. Alec, following his instinct passed Jace and Clary, slowly and carefully walking up the stairs.

He wasn't certain what was leading him this way; it was if he felt a strange sensation in the back of his mind, urging him to go this way. Passing three book cases and rolling his eyes at Clary's panicked question he came to a stop and glancing down the small aisle on the right side. He ducked back, the sensation faded as he realized that he had somehow found her.

The library was large, one of the largest of the Institutes; it was easy to get lost in here, so how had he found her so easily? Peeking around the bookshelf he watched as she sat on her knees in the middle of the aisle, her fingers lightly running over the spines of the ancient texts. Her hair had been pulled to the side and she was no longer eating candy.

Her bag sat next to her and he wondered why she had taken it off and just what it was she was looking for. How had she known where the institute was and most specifically, where the library was? He held his breath as he seen her look his way, prompting him to press his back against the bookshelf.

"Why does this place have to be so huge?" Isabelle's complaint reached his ears and he heard a faint scoff.

He peeked back and seen she had scooted further left, away from him and was once again staring at the books. She could hear them perfectly, so why wasn't she calling out to them? He watched as her eyes widened in wonder as she reached just above her head and pulled a book out, it was an old brown leather journal that looked worn with time.

She gnawed on her lower lip and furrowed her eyebrows, an action Alec found slightly adorable. Nodding her head she stood and stuffed the book in her bag before pulling the strap over her head. His eyes widened as he realized that she planned on taking that book, but what reason would she have for it?

"That isn't yours to take." He spoke in a stern tone walking into her view and crossing his arms. He had to fight the smirk that threatened to appear as her eyes met his, widening as a guilty look flashed through them. She rocked back and forth on her heels as she fiddled with her long sleeves.

"Is it your book?" She questioned in a simple tone. He raised one eyebrow just as he heard the others call out to him.

"It belongs to the Shadow Hunters." He replied in an even tone. He watched in amusement as she gestured to herself before speaking.

"Here I am, a Shadow Hunter, taking a Shadow Hunting book." She spoke in the same simple tone, as if what she had just said wasn't a sarcastic remark. Alec narrowed his eyes, how had she known what she was? Clary had no idea about this life when they first found her and according to Jocelyn, Emerson shouldn't have any knowledge as well.