Killing Death

Chapter | 3 | Evaline and Davina

A warm light hemmed me in. Like a moth to a flame, I glided into the room. A blanket of security fell over my body as my eyes took in the two-tier library above a tidy den.

I was awe-struck. The only thing that had gotten me through the past couple of years was avid reading at public libraries. Books were my safe haven. I could grow attached to a character and never have to worry.

"Please close the door behind you," a voice softly said. My eyes landed on a beautiful woman with fair skin and red hair that fell over her small face in loose ringlets. She sat on a large armchair in the middle of the room, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of antique books.

I pushed the door shut, and then waited.

"Come," she said, motioning to the empty armchair beside hers. "Sit. I believe we need to speak?"

Quietly, I made my way towards her. Her eyes never left mine, and it was then that I realized her green orbs were glowing too. It was hauntingly beautiful. Once I sat against the firm chair, she smiled.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Are you Faeva?"

"I am not," she answered with a kind smile. "My name is Evaline."

"Oh," I unrumpled the letter in my hands. She watched as I smoothed it out. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"I do."

Wasn't I still supposed to talk to Faeva?

"Here, but this letter says..." I started. But before I could continue she raised a hand, silencing me.

"I already know," she reminded. "And I will tell you everything you need to know. But first," a lanky man dressed like a waiter promptly walked into the room with a tray in his hand, "please, have something. You have been through quite an ordeal. You need to sustain your body, it's the only one you've got."

The last thing I needed was something to eat. But I didn't want to risk being impolite. If she had the answers I wanted, then I needed her on my side. I only hoped the tray had some coffee. I was always a coffee-addict, though even just one sip of it would be enough to keep me going.

The man held the large tray out, within arm's length. My eyes skimmed over the variety of offerings, until they landed on a small porcelain cup filled with steaming liquid.

Bingo.

I carefully lifted the cup by its handle. He waited a moment before moving to serve Faeva. She shook her head, sending him away.

"Do you know who wrote the letter?"

"All in good time," she said. "Drink."

Her voice held the type of power you couldn't ignore. Begrudgingly, I brought the cup to my lip and let the coffee into my mouth. Its aroma hit my nose before it fell onto my taste buds, engulfing me in its bittersweet embrace. It quenched a thirst I didn't know I was craving and fueled my body unlike any cup ever had before. It was like my energy skyrocketed from a sluggish one, to a spirited ten.

I stared at her in amazement. "Wow."

She looked amused. "How do you feel?"

"Better," I answered. There was no way that was just plain old coffee. "What was that?"

Her grin only grew wider. "Coffee...with a kick."

I wouldn't have cared if that was poison with a kick of coffee, it tasted incredible. I drank the rest of the warm goodness in quick gulps until the cup was completely empty. I tried to hide my disappointment, but Evaline caught it.