Chapter Four

T he next night, Jenny stood in front of the mirror in her room, frowning at her reflection. She'd changed outfits three times already, which was ridiculous. This wasn't a date. It was just a tour of the town with Rook. A night-time tour. With gorgeous vampire who made her heart race every time he looked at her.

"Oh, for the love of spark plugs," she muttered, running a hand through her hair. "I just need to get through this week and get out, not play Bella Swan with the local bloodsucker."

A knock at the door startled her out of her internal pep talk. "Jenny, dear?" Esme's voice called. "Rook's here for you. And if you don't mind me saying so, the two of you would make a lovely couple."

Jenny groaned. Great. Now she had a matchmaking werewolf landlady to deal with. "I'll be right down."

She gave herself one last once-over in the mirror. The jeans and blouse she'd gotten from Orla's shop hugged her curves in all the right places, striking a balance between casual and "maybe I tried a little." With a nod of satisfaction, she headed downstairs.

Rook was waiting in the foyer, and she went all gooey inside looking at him. His dark hair was artfully tousled, and his black button-down shirt and slacks made his pale skin glow in the dim light. When he saw her, his eyes lit up in a way that made Jenny's stomach do a complicated gymnastics routine.

"You look exquisite." His deep voice sent quivers through her.

A blush crept up her neck and she cursed internally. She was not some blushing schoolgirl, damn it. "Thanks," she said, aiming for nonchalant and probably missing by a mile. "For a guy who doesn't show up in mirrors, you nailed it."

Rook offered his arm with an old-world charm. "I thought we might start with the library. It's quite unique, even by Beastly Falls standards."

As they stepped out into the night, Jenny was very conscious of the strong muscles of Rook's arm under her fingertips. Streetlights flickered with an otherworldly glow, and she stepped closer to Rook, drawn to his solid presence. He smelled good too.

"So," she said, trying to distract herself from her rioting hormones, "what's so special about this library? Does it have a restricted section full of books that try to eat you?"

Rook's lips twitched. "Nothing quite so dramatic, I'm afraid. Though I would advise against wandering into the ancient curses section without proper protection."

Jenny couldn't tell if he was joking or not, which was becoming a distressingly common occurrence in this town.

As they approached the library, Jenny's eyes widened. The building itself was impressive enough—a grand, Victorian-style structure that looked like it had been plucked straight out of a fairytale. But it was the gargoyle perched on the roof that really caught her attention. Because the gargoyle was moving.

"Uh, Rook?" she said, her voice higher than she'd like to admit. "Please tell me that's just some really impressive animatronics."

Rook followed her gaze and smiled. "Ah, that would be Xavier. He's the library's protector. Xavier," he called out. "You have a visitor."

The gargoyle—Xavier, apparently—turned his stone head towards them. Then, with a grinding of rock on rock that set Jenny's teeth on edge, he spread his wings and glided down to land in front of them.

"Holy crankshaft," Jenny breathed, taking an involuntary step back.

Xavier was easily seven feet tall, his body a masterpiece of carved stone. His face was a fearsome visage of sharp angles and pointed teeth, but his eyes were surprisingly friendly.

"Welcome," Xavier said, his voice a low rumble that Jenny could feel in her bones. "This must be the famous Jenny. I've heard so much about you."

Jenny raised an eyebrow at Rook, who suddenly looked very interested in a nearby bush. "All good things, I hope?"

Xavier's laugh was like gravel in a tumbler. "Oh, the best. Rook here hasn't stopped talking about the sassy mechanic who's turned our little town on its head."

Jenny felt a tickle in a place that hadn't been tickled in a long time. "Well, you know what they say. You haven't lived until you've been kidnapped by a sentient town and forced into supernatural speed dating."

Xavier nodded solemnly. "I'm Xavier Chauvre. Protector of knowledge. Defender against ignorance. Guardian of the Dewey Decimal System."

"Wow. That's quite a job description. Do you get dental with that?"

For a moment, Xavier's stone face was impassive. Then, to Jenny's surprise, his mouth curved into what might have been a smile. "I like this one, Rook. She has spirit."

"I like her too."

He did? More tickles. She cleared her throat. "I didn't notice you when I was walking around town," she said. "I guess I never thought to look up."

"It wouldn't matter if you had," Xavier replied. "I'm cursed to be a statue from sunrise to sunset, only able to move freely in the dark hours."

"Doesn't it get lonely? Being awake when everyone else is asleep?"

A shadow passed over Xavier's face, and for a moment, Jenny could see the weight of years in his stone eyes. "It can be," he admitted softly. "But that's the nature of the curse, I'm afraid. At least until I find my mate."

Jenny could feel Rook's gaze on her. "You mean you're stuck like this until you find your soulmate or whatever?" she asked.

Xavier nodded. "That's right. Once I meet my true mate, the curse will be broken. I'll be able to move freely during the day."

Jenny's heart ached for the gentle giant. "That's rough. I'm sorry."

His stone lips curved into a smile. "Don't be. I have hope. And in the meantime, I have friends like Rook here to keep me company during the long nights."

"May we enter? I'd like to show Jenny around," Rook said.

Xavier stepped aside with a grace that belied his massive stone form. "Of course. Just remember—"

"Silence in the library," Rook finished with a grin. "We know."

As they entered the library, Jenny looked over at Rook. "What is your curse like?" she asked, hoping it wasn't too personal a question.

"Like all of us, I can't leave Beastly Falls. The town has no access to the outside world, even though we have computers and the internet." He waved his hand towards the terminals as they passed them while they headed towards the stacks.

"So it's not just my cell phone that doesn't work."

"No, that's also part of the curse. We're trapped in time since the early two thousands."

"You're luckier than you think," she said, thinking of the pandemic and all the political upheaval around the world.

"It's hard, though. To wonder what you're missing."

She could understand that. "Do you turn to stone during the day?"

"No, but sunlight will reduce me to ash, so I am strictly nocturnal."

"Do you drink blood?" she asked, and then clamped a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry. Is that rude?"

"No, not rude. Just healthy curiosity. I have my tea, but on occasion I do drink blood. But only from willing participants and never more than once."

His tone was dark and delicious. Jenny's toes curled. "Why not more than once?"

"I wouldn't want to become dependent on the taste, and I wouldn't want my supplier to become dependent on me."

"Dependent how?"

"A vampire's bite is very erotic."

Hoo boy.

"And it wouldn't be fair to lead on someone who isn't my soul mate."

Was it getting warm in here or was it just her? Jenny had a hard time looking at him. She had a feeling that she'd like to be bitten by him. Especially if it led to other more intimate things. Letting out a shaky breath, she asked, "What would finding your mate do for you? Would it cure you? Would you no longer be a vampire?"

He gave a humorless laugh. "No. But I would be able to walk around during the day, among other things. It's been a few centuries since I felt the sun on my face."

Jenny wondered if she was being selfish. If she was someone's fated mate, shouldn't she try to help them? Wouldn't it help her as well? What would it be like to have a boyfriend or someone who supported her throughout everything? But that wasn't in the cards. She had other plans for her life. Of course, that was before she realized that the world was larger than she had ever imagined.

When they arrived in the stacks, her jaw dropped. The interior was vast, far larger than the outside of the building suggested was possible. Bookshelves stretched up to dizzying heights, and floating staircases spiraled between levels. But it was the books themselves that really caught her attention. Because they were moving.

Volumes floated through the air, reshelving themselves or zipping off to answer unspoken queries. A particularly harried-looking tome nearly collided with Jenny's head before Rook gently redirected it.

"Careful," he murmured. "The reference section can be a bit enthusiastic."

"This is impossible," Jenny breathed, her eyes wide as she took in the magical scene before her.

"Improbable, perhaps," a new voice purred. "But here in Beastly Falls, impossible is just another Tuesday."

Jenny turned to see a woman approaching them. She moved with a feline grace, her golden eyes glinting in the soft library light. As she got closer, Jenny could have sworn she saw the woman's pupils contract into slits.

"Jenny, allow me to introduce Anya Kanea, our esteemed library director," Rook said. "Anya, this is Jenny Cortado, our newest visitor."

Anya's smile was warm, if a bit predatory. "Welcome to our little corner of literary heaven, Jenny. I hope you're feline fine this evening."

Jenny blinked. "Did you just—"

"Make a cat pun? I'm afraid it's a bit of a purr-sonal weakness." Anya winked. "Comes with being a cat shifter, I'm afraid. We're legally required to make at least three cat puns per conversation."

Despite herself, Jenny found a grin spreading across her face. "Well, I'd hate to see you end up in the litterbox of the law. I'll try to keep up."

Anya's laugh was musical. "Feel free to browse. Just remember—the books can sense fear. And for the love of Bastet, stay out of the ancient curses section. We're still trying to turn the last patron back from a newt."

As Anya sauntered off, Jenny turned to Rook with wide eyes. "Please tell me she's joking about the newt thing."

Rook's expression was carefully neutral. "Of course. Mostly."

Jenny decided it was probably best not to ask for clarification.

After a whirlwind tour of the library—during which Jenny narrowly avoided being paper-cut to death by an overzealous copy of War and Peace —Rook led her back out into the night.

"So, what did you think?" he asked.

Jenny shook her head, still trying to process everything she'd seen. "It's terrifying, amazing, and completely bonkers, but incredible. Is everything in this town like that?"

"Not everything. But I do have one more stop I'd like to make, if you're up for it."

Jenny found herself nodding before she could think better of it. "Lead the way. I'm all in on this crazy train now."

As they continued their tour, the night air was cool and crisp, filled with the sounds of supernatural nightlife. In the park, a group of pixies were having what looked like a rave in a cluster of mushrooms. A werewolf jogged past, nodding politely to them. Rook led her to a quiet corner of the park where a stone bench overlooked a moonlit pond.

"I like to go here at night to get away from it all. It's peaceful."

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence. Then Jenny's curiosity got the better of her. "So, how does a vampire end up in a place like this?"

Rook's lips curved into a wry smile. "It's a long story."

Jenny leaned back, crossing her arms. "Well, I've got nowhere to be. Unless you've got some coffins to alphabetize or something."

Rook chuckled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Very well. I was born in England in the mid-18th century, the second son of a minor aristocrat. I was not a good man. I was arrogant, selfish, and cruel at times. When I was turned, those traits were only amplified."

Jenny listened, fascinated despite herself, as Rook painted a picture of his early years as a vampire. The parties, the excess, the casual disregard for human life. It was like something out of a horror novel.

"What changed?" she asked.

Rook's eyes were distant, lost in memory. "I came to America after the Revolutionary War, thinking it would be a new hunting ground. But something happened that I didn't expect. I fell in love."

Jenny's heart skipped a beat and unfamiliar jealousy coiled in her gut. "With whom?"

"A human woman," Rook said softly. "She was everything I wasn't. Kind, compassionate, full of life. For the first time, I saw humans as more than just prey. But..."

"But?" Jenny prompted when he trailed off.

Rook's expression was pained. "But I was still a monster. I couldn't control my thirst. One night, I almost killed her when I took her blood. The look of fear in her eyes when she realized what I was broke something in me. I ran, and I kept running until I found myself here, in Beastly Falls."

Jenny was quiet for a long moment, processing everything she'd heard. Part of her was horrified by Rook's past. But another part, a larger part than she cared to admit, saw the pain and regret in his eyes and wanted nothing more than to comfort him.

"Thank you for telling me."

Rook looked at her, his eyes searching. "Does it change how you see me?"

Jenny considered the question carefully. "Yes," she said honestly. "But not necessarily in a bad way. We've all got baggage, Rook. At least you're trying to be better."

"Thank you. Your acceptance means more than you know."

The moment was charged with an intensity that made Jenny's heart race. She found herself leaning in, drawn by some invisible force. Rook's eyes darkened, his gaze dropping to her lips. This was it. He was going to kiss her, and she was all in for that. But before anything could happen, a familiar growl shattered the moment.

"Well, well," Grayson's voice rang out, dripping with disdain. "Isn't this cozy?"

Jenny jumped to her feet, her heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. "Grayson. Didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to interrupt?"

The werewolf stalked towards them, his massive form casting a shadow in the moonlight. "I'm not here for etiquette lessons, sweetheart. I'm here to talk some sense into you."

Rook stood, placing himself slightly in front of Jenny. "I believe Jenny has made her feelings quite clear. It's time you moved on."

Grayson's laugh was harsh. "Moved on? From my mate? I don't think so, bloodsucker. Jenny just doesn't realize what she's missing yet."

Jenny's temper flared. "Now listen here, Fido. I am not your mate, your sweetheart, or your anything. The only thing I'm missing is my patience for this macho bullshit. So why don't you take your Alpha male routine and stuff it where the sun don't shine?"

For a moment, Grayson looked stunned. Then his eyes narrowed dangerously. "I'm not going to let you get away."

Rook's voice was low and dangerous. "That's enough, Grayson. Leave. Now. Before I show you why vampires are the most feared creatures of the night."

There was a tense moment where Jenny thought Grayson might actually attack. But then the werewolf's shoulders slumped, and he turned away with a snarl. "This isn't fair," he growled as he disappeared into the shadows.

Jenny let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Well," she said, aiming for levity, "I guess the Beastly Falls Welcome Wagon doesn't believe in quitting, huh?"

Rook turned to her. "I'm so sorry about that. Grayson can be persistent."

Jenny waved off his concern, though her heart was still racing. "What does finding his mate give him?"

"He will be able to control his shifts at the full moon. Right now, he has no choice, and the beast takes over for him during that time."

Hearing that, Jenny lost all her anger. "I can see why he wants a mate so badly, why you all do. I'm just having a hard time believing I'm someone's true love."

"Why?"

"I haven't had the best luck with relationships."

"Maybe that's because your mate was here all along."

"Maybe," she mused.

"I should get you home. It's getting late for you day walkers, and my night shift rush at the tea shop is coming up soon."

They walked back to the B the way his hands pressed firmly against her waist; the slightest hint of bergamot in his aftershave mingling with his unique scent that made her nose tingle; and most of all, the way he made her feel alive like never before—like every nerve ending in her body was on fire, but she never wanted the feeling to end.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Jenny felt like her world had tilted on its axis. She'd been kissed before, but never like that. Never with such intensity, such rightness.

Her fingers dug into his hair as he pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Jenny," he breathed out, his voice hoarse from their passionate embrace. For a moment they stayed like that, gazing deeply into each other's eyes before he leaned in again for another mind-blowing kiss.

"Wow," she breathed, her lips tingling. "That was..."

"Special," Rook said, looking as dazed as she felt.

For a moment, Jenny was tempted to invite him in, to see where this electric connection between them might lead. But the rational part of her brain, the part that reminded her of her interview and her life outside Beastly Falls, held her back.

"I'm not ready for this," she said reluctantly.

Rook nodded, though she could see the reluctance in his eyes as well. "Of course."

"Does this mean you're my soul mate?"

"Yes."

"That's heavy," she said.

"No pressure." He kissed her quickly on the lips—too quickly—and then stepped away. "Sweet dreams."

As she watched him disappear into the night, Jenny touched her lips, wondering if his kiss affected her like this, what would his bite be like?