Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

24

As Dex lead her upstream at midnight, Hathor begun wondering if this was such a good idea. She could see thanks to her Fae eyes. The path they were following - was it even a path? - was old. Long grass covered some old chunks of stone that much have fallen from the old buildings at one point or another and been forgotten. Hathor had tripped at least twice on them. The third time, Dex caught her by the hand and still hadn't let go.

"It's not much further," he assured her as they followed the moonlit stream up a particularly steep section of hill. "There's a small hole in the back of the Library up here."

One look at the steep path leading into only more rocks made Hathor wish she'd changed out of her favourite bright pink hoodie, light blue ripped jeans, and tawny thin-heeled sandals. Dex helped her jump from a particularly large rock neither could go around on a thinner section of path before leading her to the top of the hill.

The bottom of the Library building was covered with overgrowth. Dex pushed vines and branches away while Hathor stood to the side. A few minutes later, a small hole barely large enough for herself to fit through was revealed. Hathor bent down to get a better look. "How did you even find this?"

He shrugged. "Got bored one night and went exploring. Come on." He disappeared into the hole.

Hathor stepped over a large rock partially covering the thin entrance. Bracing one hand on the low ceiling, she lowered herself into the narrow pathway. Suddenly glad for her short and thin form, Hathor found herself able to move through the path with relative ease while Dex and his tall frame had to duck down.

The pathway seemed to be a back entrance, Hathor decided. There were paths like this in some of Lyriumia's oldest buildings, including the Palace. They were build in the event that the Terpolites gained access so the most important items and people could be spirited away. Though, she supposed, they were nothing more than a secret entry and exit for restless teenagers now. 

The pathway seemed endless but they eventually reached what appeared to be a dead end. Dex pushed on the wall and it opened up. The wall was actually a mass bookshelf on a semi-circle rotator which acted as a door. They were in the restricted section. 

Hathor gaped. Never had she been in this part of the Library. It was on par with the one in the Palace and that was saying something. The stacks went on forever on this floor, rising up and up and up to the top of the building - the main area. There were shelves carved into the walls with the occasional break for a set of stairs. Hovering platforms were dotted here and there to make access easier. But that was nothing compared to the books. 

They were everywhere. On the shelves. On the tables. On the platforms. Some were even in piles by the stairs. There were so many! Hathor though she could spend her immortal life in here and still not get through everything.

She went to take a step forward only for Dex to grab her and pull her back. He pointed to a small blue light across the room from them. Cameras. He pointed out a few others dotted on this level. There must have been hundreds.

"They can't see us," he said. "We're in one of the very few blind spots."

"Then how did you get in and steal a book."

He ran a hand through his hair. "I, uh, might of hacked the system."

"You did what!"

"Shhh! Someone will hear us!"

She clapped her hands over her mouth. 

"I always hack the system when I get a book," Dex explained, "and then put it back to normal once I'm here or in the passage."

"Don't you ever worry about being caught?"

"By stuffy old librarians?"

She giggled.

"I didn't bring any of my equipment but maybe I can give you the tour later in the week?"

Hathor nodded, grinning. "Sounds like fun."

"Well then, Princess," Dex said in a posh enough voice that she laughed. "I shall escort you back to your castle."

"Why, thank you, good sir."

* * * * * * * * 

Hathor sighed happily as she closed the door to her apartment. She doubted anyone would have heard her. It was past midnight now and they had class tomorrow. As she walked, she pulled off her hoodie and tied it around her waist. She pulled a snack bar from the cupboard - kept for late night hunger emergencies - and turned only to yelp at the sight of Troy sitting on the lounge.

"Enjoy your date?" he asked.

"It wasn't a date," she said.

"Sure it wasn't." He sounded bitter. "I'm sure going out with Dex would in no way make you so happy."

"Are you . . . okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Hathor eyed the bottle in his hand. And the four others on the table. "Have you been drinking?"

"No."

"Don't lie."

The bottle in his hand was tossed onto the table, knocking the other four onto their sides. Troy pushed himself to his feet, stumbling momentarily. "I'm not drunk." A step forward hand him walking right into the table.

Hathor sighed, pocketing her snack bar. She put her arms around Troy's waist, leading him to his room. "You can barely walk," she muttered as he tripped again. 

Instead of getting up, the Wolf Shifter lay face down on the carpeted floor and groaned.

She frowned but decided it was best to leave him there. Instead, she went into his room to get a blanket and pillow. More bottles were scattered over the desk. Gods, how much had he drunk! Hathor tore the quilt from the bed and grabbed one of the pillows which, with some difficulty, she managed to get under Troy's head before dumping the quilt over him.

"I thought you said you stopped drinking," she said, concerned.

Troy flipped her off. "Go tell it to your boyfriend."

"He's not my-"

"Whatever." He rolled onto his side until his back was to her, either not noticing or not caring that he was on the floor.

Frowning, confused, and a little hurt, Hathor went to her room, gulped down the snack bar, and changed out of her dust-covered clothes into a shapely singlet top and shorts. As she climbed into bed, her worry for her friend only worsened. He'd been doing so well having almost broken his drinking habits. What could have possibly triggered him so badly that he'd go back to them?

When no answers came. Hathor drifted into a dreamless sleep.