Page 109 of The Witch in the Dead of Night

I cast the book aside, massaging my temples with my forefingers. Perhaps the murderous witch haunting Valnar was religious?

“Oh,” came a voice, startling me. I glanced up, catching sight of the balding vampire I had noticed the day before. In his arms he held a precarious tower of books. “I didn’t see you there.”

“You must be the librarian,” I said, coming to my feet.

“Sebastian Pellesby,” he replied.

“Pleased to meet you.” I held out my arms as the tower of books tilted precariously. “Here, let me—”

“Don’t!” he said sharply, recoiling.

I scrubbed clammy palms down my breeches. “My apologies, it looked like you needed some help.”

He blinked at me wordlessly.

“My name is Finn, Finn Erramun,” I offered.

The faintest pulse of irritation wafted off of him. I felt like a chambermaid again, one who had accidentally wandered into the path of a courtier.

His lip curled. “I’m aware of who you are, Miss Erramun. In case you haven’t noticed, there are no other guests at the university besides yourself and the prince.”

My cheeks warmed. “Of course.”

His eyes panned to the stack of books beside me. I had combed through a number of volumes since the early morning hours. “I hope you plan to put those back where you found them.”

“I will,” I said hastily. “I actually used to clean the library at Valnar Castle,” I joked in a pathetic attempt to ease the awkwardness that was festering between us. “So I certainly know my way around … shelves.”

His brow furrowed. “How marvelous for our institution. A chamber-maid come to paw through our renowned selection.”

My brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

He smirked. “Just stating the obvious.”

“Do you have some kind of problem with me?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Well, it goes against our entire ethos,” he said matter-of-factly.

“What does?” I shot back.

“You being here,” he replied.

I balked. “I beg your pardon?”

“The royal family is exerting their influence where they shouldn’t for the King’s gain. This is meant to be a selective institution open only to the kingdom’s finest minds. Yet here you are, come to be shaped into the king’s weapon. It’s a farce.” He smirked. “People like you, are not meant for Hollybrook.”

“If I didn’t know better I’d think you were insulting me,” I bit back.

“Who am I to insult His Majesty’s highly regarded adviser-in-training from the Outlands?”

I fumed. “Just because you’ve never had a student from the Outlands before doesn’t mean I’m less deserving of a place here than anyone else.”

“The university does not discriminate based on class. Your implication is insulting.”

“Really? I’m insulting you?”

“You are, you common—”

“Now, now, Sebastian,” came a drawling voice. “Choose your next words very carefully.”