Page 48 of The Souls Harvest
For the first time in my life, the narrow hall feels unfamiliar and cold, as if I don’t belong here. The mess of dishes and glasses I left in the kitchen sink, the paintings on the walls - even the pile ofshoes by the entrance - nothing screams my name. An itchy feeling creeps up on me, forcing me to hurry up as I quickly collect random pens and a notepad from the kitchen table and head out.
Once outside, I ignore Roden’s face carved on the red brick wall and head straight for the back of the building. It’s a longer way to the library but less crowded than the main streets, where bakeries and other shops attract people from all parts of Libera during the weekends.
I lift my hood so it swallows my head completely, keeping my eyes on the path before me and checking my surroundings to avoid colliding with bikes, trees and people.
However, my mind is still overloaded, and my attention slips even if I try my hardest. When I hear steps behind me, it’s already too late.
A hand with perfectly painted nails lands on my shoulder. “Good morning, you,” Lucretia chirps in my ears.
And yet, today, the prickly feeling I experience in her presence doesn’t weigh like a ton of bricks on my head. It’s hard to admit—but I’m glad to see her still alive and more than capable of pouting.
“Lue, hey. What…are you doing here?” I don’t mean to sound rude, but being friendly now could make her suspicious. People like her may be shallow, but never gullible.
“I was looking for you, silly.”
“Me? Listen, if this is about what you saw earlier—”
She presses a finger to my lips before I can finish. “I don’t knowwhat you’re talking about, but if you really wish to know, I think Galen agreed to be my senior co-crosser.” Her face brightens up as if soaking up all the sunlight. “I just wanted to thank you. I don’t know what you did or said, but I’ve received a letter and an official call from Mr. Breith in person! He told me to be prepared for a big change. Tonight! That can only be it.”
Her eyes gleam with excitement, and she seems genuinely happy, but I can’t hold back a laugh. “He what now?”
When her smile drops to a flat line, I try to fix what I’ve broken, if only to make her disappear. “I’m sorry, it’s just… Galen doesn’t need to tell me everything, but he rarely changes his mind.” I shrug.
The corners of her lips curve up as if my words were just background noise. “Will you come and seeus? They say you will always have a special bond with the person who guides you through your first crossing…But you don’t need to be jealous.” She wrinkles her nose, and I have to restrain myself from laughing again.
“Sweetie,” I cringe at the sound of that word, but I know she thinks it’s lovely, “I have to go now, but I promise I’ll save the date in my calendar, deal?”
And that’s another word that will make me cringe from now on.Deal…
Lucretia nods so vehemently, I expect to see her head rolling off her neck.
She is still nodding when I move a couple of steps back to put some distance between us.
“Okay then, bye now…” I half smile, and only breathe when she finally spins on her heel and starts walking in the opposite direction.
I try to swat away the image of Lucretia and Galen crossing together in a pod so small you can’t avoid physical contact every time you move, but it stays with me until I reach the library.
I pick a small table in a corner, the surface of which is perfectly divided in two by a column of light pouring from a round ceiling window above my head—dust dances in front of me when I set my jacket on it.
Larger desks and tall shelves loaded with books dot the space around me and offer enough privacy for those who only seek silence. Some of the books are so old I don’t even dare look at them because I’m afraid their covers will turn to dust or be stained by my purple breath.
Unfortunately, the pleasant experience soon ends when the trilling voice of an exotic bird informs me that someone has messaged me, and makes me jump.
“Sorry…” I say to the empty room. I’m alone, and I think even the librarian only woke up this morning to open the building before returning to bed.
Meet me on the roof at 8 p.m. No fancy outfit. By the way, I told Lucretia I’d cross with her. Don’t be jealous. I have good reasons.
Another text.
Stop laughing.
I am.
The screen lights up again.
I’m serious; stop it!
I have no idea what Galen is planning or why he wants to meet me on the roof.
