Arcane Magic (Dani’s POV)
I sat, staring out the window in the library. The OAC had a massive library hidden right beside the old one in downtown Seoul. Even though it was April, the air was still cold. In some ways it reminded me of Kat. You knew it was supposed to be warm and welcoming, but instead it had a sudden iciness to it. The rain probably didn’t help. The droplets beat against the glass in an almost melodic rhythm.
I looked down at the text in front of me. I had been focusing on the same old Elven and Dragon texts for a week. I knew Kat was planning to go after Romijeer, but I wasn’t sure how to help her with that. Neither of us were Mages. I ran my fingers over one passage again and again, processing the words carefully and considering them. Arcane magic tapped into the elements, and Kat could command the elements. What was to stop her or any Tempest from accessing arcane magic? Was on to something?
Just then there was a crashing noise from across the library. Everyone looked up. My eyes narrowed and I had check my anger. Some of these texts were thousands of years old. Who could be so careless? I slid from my seat and quickly marched in the direction of the noise. When I turned the corner, I came face to face with a strikingly handsome man. He was dressed in a navy hoodie and well-fitting jeans. His eyes were absolutely piercing when they looked at me, causing my breath to still. I looked at the mess at his feet and sighed in exasperation.
I shoved him out of the way and crouched down to gather up the tomes on the floor. “You don’t have to stand there. You can help, you know?” I said snidely as I gathered too many books in my arms.
“I don’t do menial tasks.” His tone was almost bored.
With the books gathered in my arms, I climbed back to my feet and took them to the nearby table so I could inspect them for potential damage. “Obviously, you don’t do manners either,” I snipped.
“Excuse me?” he snapped loudly.
Hefting the books down, I turned with my hands on my hips. “No!” I replied in a tone that was perhaps louder than is appropriate for a library. “You come into MY library, throw priceless texts on the floor, and then refuse to help clean up. There is no excuse for you. Who are you anyway?”
He smiled a gleaming smile that made my stomach do a flip. I shook my head to clear it. “Awww, a little Pixie that is more than a pair of breasts and wings. How quaint. Do you bite too?” he taunted.
“Not as hard as my boyfriend does,” I mumbled.
He pushed back his hood, allowing his hair to tumble free past his shoulders. The mark on his forehead, previously covered, was now visible. “Listen you insolent little twit, I don’t have time for this. I am looking for a very special text. An Elven arcane manual.” I processed the information. I knew the book he was talking about. It was the one I was working with – but I wasn’t about to tell him that.
“Are you a Unicorn?” I finally asked.
He stopped and blinked at me in surprise. He then let his annoyance fade, to be replaced by a smoldering look that called ‘come hither’ to me. “I am,” he said as he approached me with a slow deliberatness. “You know what they say?” I shrugged at him. “Unicorns are the realms’ best lovers.”
I snorted. “What? Since when? I’ve read a number of books on the topic, and I will have you know I have never heard such a thing. Did you just make that up?”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re obviously not a virgin,” he said with a pout, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Ha! That ship sailed long ago, my friend.” I shook my head and reminded myself to tell Oliver about this conversation so he could share the laugh. “Wait, I just figured it out. You’re a Unicorn and you attract virgins. Is it possible you only think your’re good in the sack because they have no frame of reference?”
His face began to turn red. “I am Lord Jellenaine. I am a high born, not some lowly inbreed like you. I demand you find me that text.”
The name clicked it all into place. My eyes flared and I had to fight to keep my calm. With a deep breath I forced my best smile. “My Lord, forgive me. If you have a seat over there and help yourself to a cup of tea, I will make some calls and track down the whereabouts of that book.”
He rolled his eyes, then huffed away. I rushed off down a row and tucked myself behind a bookshelf. I pulled out my cell phone and hit the auto dial for Oliver. On the second ring he picked up. “Hello?” he said in a groggy voice. I looked outside – the sky seemed fairly dark because of the storm.
“Oliver?” I said in a hushed tone. “I need you to get to the library, now.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked, snapping to full alertness.
“That Unicorn that setup Kat is here. I am trying to distract him.” I glanced his way, trying to look like I was busy searching for the book he was after.
I could hear Oliver rustling. “Stay safe. I will call and get an enforcer there as soon as I can. I’m on my way.” There was a brief pause. “Dani?”
“Yeah?” I asked.
“Promise me you won’t do anything dangerous?” I could hear in his tone of voice that he wasn’t sure a promise was good enough.
“I love you, get here soon,” I said, and ended the call. I knew I was going to hear about that later. I slid the phone back into my pocket.
“Pixie!!” Lord Jellenaine cried.
I rushed over to him. “Yes?”
“Yes what?” he snapped.
I closed my eyes to prevent the roll that desperately wanted to happen. “Yes, my lord?”
“Better,” he approved. “Where is the book?”
I hesitated and pulled out my phone. “I had to make a call. It is currently on loan for a research project.”
He growled. Who knew Unicorns could growl? I grew up thinking they were gentle creatures. “How much longer do I need to wait?”
“Someone is on their way now,” I told him. I didn’t mention they weren’t bringing the book.
He yawned. “My time is precious. Let’s hope they arrive soon, lest I am forced to write a strongly worded letter.”
I made a few more attempts at small talk but he shot them all down. I looked at the door, growing antsy. Where is he? I thought. Lord Jellenaine stood up and stretched. “I’ve grown tired of waiting. Put the text on hold for me and I will return another time for it.”
Panic shot through me. I couldn’t let him get away. “Wait!” I cried out. He turned to face me. I casually unbuttoned the top 2 buttons of my shirt. His eyebrow lifted. “I was hoping you could help me – I have some questions for you before you go,” I said.
Something within him stirred and I felt drawn to him once more ,but I focused on my goal. “Really? And what would those be, my dear?” His voice was deep and soothing again.
“I’ve always wondered about Unicorn sexual orientation,” I explained.
He smiled with a wicked, wolf-like grin. “Why do people have to choose just one orientation?” he asked. “Why do we have to be labeled?”
I smiled sweetly. “I guess you don’t,” I told him, drawing in a sharp breath as he grabbed me by the waist and ran a hand down my hip.
“I like to consider myself pansexual,” he explained. “I just let love come to me as it likes.” He dipped his head close to mine and ran his tongue along my neck. I shuddered and he took it as a good sign. Holding deathly still, I kept my eyes on the door. “Relax, little Pixie,” he said.
The door burst open and there stood Oliver, looking a little pink, but no worse for the wear. My heart thudded in my chest and his gaze narrowed on us. His eyes turned black and his teeth lengthened. “Get your hands off what’s mine!” he growled.
Lord Jellenaine lifted his head to turn and look at him, confused. His hands slid off of me as he realized I was the object in question. He held them up. “There is no need to behave like this. We can all be friends.” In a blink of and eye Oliver was on him and they were both struggling on the floor.
I jumped out of the way when they knocked over a table. Their struggles got closer and closer to the rare books and my palms started sweating. They bumped a shelf and I winced as it rocked back and forth. They bumped it again and it swayed harder. I couldn’t take it anymore. I flung my arms out towards them.
“Precious are those things we wish to forever to keep.
With binding Pixie dust I command you to sleep.”
I recited the quick spell and the whole room shimmered. Everyone in the library but me collapsed to the floor, asleep. I sighed and pulled out my phone, calling the head office of the OAC. I waited for Birda to pick up. I was surprised when the cool mellow tones of Marthailain answered me. “Head Office?” he said.
“It’s Dani, I need a clean-up crew at the library,” I said exasperatedly.
“Oh?” was all he said before I launched into the story about how I’d spent my afternoon.
