Beyond the Veil: A Collection of Urban Fantasy Adventures by Nicole R. Taylor

Author:Nicole R. Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub

The library looked completely different during the day.

The windows were awash with light, drowning the rows upon rows of leather-bound books in a warmer hue. It didn’t feel stuffy in here at all with the reflection of the stained glass playing across the floor. Even the macabre items in the display cases weren’t so scary now that the sun had risen. I wished I could say the same for the three people waiting in the reading area in the back.

The room had been cleared for the occasion, and the spaces between the shelves were devoid of other Naturals. It didn’t stop me from feeling as if a thousand pairs of eyes were scrutinising my every step, though. If I knew where the closest toilet was, I would’ve bolted right towards it.

By the time we reached the end of the room, my heart was beating so fast, I’d stopped my search for the loo and was looking for a defibrillator.

I was surprised to see Wilder draped over a leather armchair, a look of complete annoyance etched on his face. He hadn’t bothered to dress for the occasion, his knees showing through tears in his jeans and his hair had likely been scraped back with his fingers with a bit of spit to hold it. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed and threw on whatever was lying on the floor. His lack of respect for the Naturals’ chain of command was on full display.

Brax was glaring at Wilder with an air of disapproval as I approached, and the others—Greer and Aldrich—were watching me closely. I wondered where my nerves measured on the Richter scale—probably a twelve point seven.

“Thank you, Romy,” Greer said, lifting her hand gracefully. “You are dismissed.”

Romy nodded slightly, then strode away, her footfalls silent on the carpet.

“We trust you’re feeling much improved?” Aldrich asked.

“Yes, thank you.” I shuffled from foot to foot. “I’m sorry. I didn’t understand what I was doing, and… Well, I had to do something.”

“There’s no need to apologise, Scarlett,” Brax said. “It was unfortunate you had to use your Light so openly, and in such a manner, but what’s done is done.”

I was fairly sure he was telling me off, but it was so passive-aggressive that he almost had me convinced that I was off the hook.

“One thing is very clear about this situation…” Aldrich began. “You can’t go back to your old life, Scarlett. It’s far too dangerous.”

“You’re saying I can’t go home?”

“It would be unadvisable.”

“So my only option is to stay in the Sanctum? I can’t leave at all? Well, this blows.” I blew a strand of hair out of my eyes.

“You came to us wanting to become a Natural,” Greer stated. “Has that wish changed?”

My breath caught, and I forced myself to keep eye contact and not glance away. Be strong, Scarlett, don’t show them any weakness. I’d dismissed Romy’s earlier assessment as pure speculation based on gossip, but it seemed like it was true.

“I don’t understand,” I began with a note of skepticism in my voice.

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