Forbidden |18+

III: Paramount Conservatory

III: Paramount Conservatory

Just as I have one leg out of the side window of my bedroom, the door opens.

Uh-oh...

...oh!

Odette's eyes land on me and her features shift, arching a brow before she closes the door behind her. I'm quick to pull myself back inside, stating, "I wasn't doing anything...I, just need air, I—"

"You're a terrible liar, Wren," Odette smirks, though adds, "if you're planning on sneaking out, be sure that someone within your room to secure a heartbeat."

I did not think that through.

"On that note," she reaches my bed and suddenly sits down at the edge of it, resting back, "I was going to ask how the family outing was, however, I can see it wasn't all that enticing."

"I...it's not that, I just want to..." my gaze drifts to Paramount Conservatory.

Odette giggles softly, "Time's ticking and the night will only remain young for so long," she winks at me, nestling into my bed.

I stare at her in shock.

With this act alone, it could get her removed from the sanctuary of our coven. Though, she doesn't seem to have a single care in the world. She lives in the moment, knowing there is always another experience out there.

"Move your ass, girl," Odette arches a brow, "what are you still standing around for?"

I nod my head quickly, heading to the side window. I'm halfway out again as I tell her, "Thank you, so much!"

Odette waves her hand at me, dismissing anything I say. She's right, I don't think I can afford to be gone for too long and the classes will be out soon anyway. So...I drop from my bedroom window into the side yard, quickly running to the ivory gate before pushing off the ground and landing easily on the other side.

Traffic is almost nonexistence at this time, darting across the street and then walking calmly toward the main entrance. While there are a few college students getting out of evening classes, the others are still within the few classrooms that have lights on, the night classes extending for another hour if that. My hands are in the pockets of my leather jacket, my hair whisking around me and back behind my shoulders as I head in the direction of the library.

As I reach the doors, anticipation arises, grinning from ear to ear...

...the second I take the handle of the door and attempt to open it, it doesn't budge.

Uh.

I thought it was open for everyone so long as the lights are on.

What did I miss?

"Are you going in?" I hear a girl behind me, quickly turning around and noticing she holds onto a backpack strap on her shoulder.

I laugh nervously and shake my head, "I...I mean—"

"Did you forget your ID?" She tilts her head to the side with confusion, and I quickly nod my head, watching as she uses her other hand and reaches for something on the belt of her jeans. I step to the side, watching as she brings a card away on a tether, swiping it on a black panel next to the door. A red light I hadn't really noticed suddenly turns green and she allows the card to snap back into place before she reaches out and grabs the handle. She presses it down, holding the door open for me.

"I...thank you!" I'm relieved to have met someone on their way in.

She offers me a bright smile and nods, "I know how it feels," she laughs briefly, "I've forgotten my ID a few times and it sucks ass."

While I head inside, she waves goodbye to me, heading toward her destination. I only take a few steps in, my gaze sweeping the room. It's incredible. I've never seen such a huge place filled with books before. There are three levels to this library, watching as the stairs carry up, towering above me while shelves are littered with dozens and dozens of books. Every other light is off overhead, saving power as there are few students here, though those that are, use the time to study or catch up on homework it looks like.

This is incredible.

While I know I can't take a book from this place, it can't hurt to read for a little bit if I do find something interesting. I start my search through the history and documentary section, astounded with the multiple books showing titles of history from across many countries, continents. When I reach another section focused on biology, microbiology, immunology, and such, the books that I find are fascinating.

There are also books on every species of animal you can imagine, sitting down in the aisle of one section of the third floor while I let the book open on sea creatures rest on my legs. Turning page after page, I find it neat some of the deep-dwelling creatures that produce bioluminescence to either hunt or lure prey. It's crazy how each survives given the attributes they have, even at the bottom of the ocean.

Closing the book, I get to my feet, placing it back on the shelf before heading down the end of the aisle. When I reach the end, I come out into a small study area with desks while computers line the wall at the furthest end. There are desk lamps, all of except one as my eyes land on the back of a man sitting with his laptop open.

I can see three windows open, one showing some type of plant while the other shows a few animals, and the last has a page up on bioluminescence, though he quickly lowers the tabs, visibly seeing his muscles tense. Furrowing my brows, I take a few steps toward him, though I hear him clearly utter, "Leave."

Um...what did I do?

He's the one that smells kinda funny for a human.

"I'm...I," I take a few more steps and ask, "you're studying sea creatures? They're so cool..." my voice trails off at the awkward silence that soon settles.

The man remains rigid, though he switches to an open document and begins typing. Tilting my head to the side, curiosity gets the best of me. My steps only stop after I walk around him, lowering myself into a chair on the other side of the desk across from him. His gaze remains on the screen, his dark hair falling to one side as he types quickly.

I'm looking around the study area, though as I do, I catch him lift his gaze briefly, seeing how beautiful his eyes are...blue. They quickly return to the screen though when I lower my gaze back to rest on him. He looks to be in his late twenties to early thirties, though I'm not entirely sure.

"What are you majoring in?" I ask curiously.

The man remains silent, his jaw clenching as his eyes continue to remain on the screen. The only sound that follows after I fall silent, is the tapping of his fingers on the keys.

"Umm...what's your name?" I rest my arms on the desk, furrowing my brows, though I then tell him, "I'm Wren."

I can hear him breathe in deeply, snorting slightly before he suddenly closes his laptop shut, his gaze eerie this time as he asks, "Wren, was it?"

I think I got through to him!

"Yeah, I—"

"What do you want?" His voice holds aggression in his tone, confusion as to why it seems I've angered him. After all, the girl who let me in was rather nice...I thought all students were nice to each other, at least, before they get to know one another.

I mean...I was just trying to be friendly...

My head tilts to the side as I tell him, "I don't want anything, I—"

"Then why are you talking to me? Have I done something that's not clearly been written out?" He asks, narrowing his eyes.

I...don't understand.

"No?" He reiterates when I remain silent in my confusion. He rises from his chair, taking his laptop and zipping it in a case, before he states, "Good."

It's just a moment later that he up and leaves, heading down between two bookshelves before he hits the stairs. I'm left in complete and utter shock, unsure of exactly what I've done to offend him...

...perhaps, he's grouchy because he smells off?