11. Olivia

CHAPTER 11

OLIVIA

I blink rapidly, trying to clear the spots from my vision. The world slowly comes into focus, and I find myself in a small, musty room. A different small musty room. There is a thick, old oriental rug under my butt, and bookshelves line the walls, crammed with ancient-looking tomes.

"Where am I now?" I mutter, my voice echoing in the silent space. "Kalen?"

But of course, there's no answer. My heart sinks as I remember our little spat. God, I was so stupid. Getting all worked up over his charm routine. The irony being I love how charming he is! Kinda of ... And now ...

I shake my head, pushing away the regret.

Focus, Liv. Figure out where you are first.

I scan the room, looking for any clues. It reminds me of the archives back at the university, but different somehow. Older. More forgotten.

Is this another portal? Should I try to go back?

"Meow, meow, meow!" I say tentatively.

What if I can't get back!

But of course, it didn't work.

Well, it was worth a shot .

"I thirst for knowledge?"

More nothing. Of course.

I make my way to a small window, peering out cautiously. My jaw drops.

"Holy cannoli," I breathe.

I'm back. Back in the human world. The familiar ivy-covered buildings of the university sprawl out before me, students milling about on the quad.

Relief washes over me, quickly followed by a crushing wave of despair. Kalen. I'll never see him again.

At the same time, it is strange, knowing that he is out there somewhere in his magically hidden little town.

Vaguely I wonder where? Is it close?

But what does it matter? It's hidden and shielded from humans. It might as well be on the moon.

Maybe it is hopeless.

The mix of feelings is almost too much for me. It's so confusing.

"No," I whisper fiercely. "I refuse to accept it. There has to be a way back. And then a way back again. I will figure this out."

I burst out of the room, startling a student walking by.

"Sorry!" I call over my shoulder as I race down the hallway.

The archives!

It's the logical place to go.

As I run across campus, everything feels ... off. Like I'm seeing it all through a foreign lens now. The world I've known my whole life suddenly seems dull, colorless.

I burst into the archive building, breathless. The security guard looks up, startled.

"Ms. Reed? I um ... I think you forgot some of your things the other night." I can tell he is taking in my harried state.

"I, uh, I'll get them later," I manage, flashing my ID badge. He waves me through, looking confused, and perhaps mildly alarmed.

"They're in the lost and found!"

"Thanks!" I call as I hurry toward the stairwell.

I take the stairs two at a time, my heart pounding. Please let the chalice still be there. Please let this work.

I skid to a stop in front of the alcove where I found it before. The chalice sits there, innocuous as ever, as if I had never even picked it up.

"Okay," I mutter, picking it up with trembling hands. "Drink, all who thirst for knowledge..."

I wait.

Come on...

Nothing.

"Hocus pocus!" I shake the chalice, as if that might help. "Work, damn you!"

"Ms. Reed?"

"Meow, meow, meow!" I practically scream even as I hear the voice behind me.

I whirl around to see Dr. Abernathy, head of the history department, staring at me with concern.

Oh dear.

"Are you alright?" he asks, taking in my disheveled and oddly dressed appearance – oh god, the robe - and I suddenly realize my most likely rather wild eyes.

"Fine!" I squeak. "Just, um, doing some research."

He frowns. "The archives are closing soon. Perhaps you should call it a day?"

"Right, of course." I nod, plastering on a smile. "I'll just be a few more minutes."

He backs out of the room looking anything but convinced that I am in fact "fine" at all.

As soon as he's gone, I turn back to the chalice, desperation clawing at my chest .

"Please," I whisper. "Please, I need to go back. I need ... I need Kalen."

The words catch in my throat. God, when did I become this person? Pining over some guy I've known for all of two days?

Some minotaur Liv. Minotaur.

Details, details.

So, what if he's, well, a beast of legend. He's my mate. I have decided we are not entertaining door number two anymore, that I have lost my marbles. No, he's my other half. And I need him like I need air, and that's that.

I try everything I can think of. I read the inscription forwards, backwards, in pig Latin. I would try interpretive dance if I thought it would help.

Nothing works.

As the lights flicker, signaling closing time, I slump against the wall, defeated.

"Time to go," the security guard calls. "We're locking up."

I nod mutely, allowing myself to be herded out of the building.

Outside, the cool night air hits my face, and reality crashes down around me. I'm back in my world, but it no longer feels like home. Everything I want, everything I need, is back in Fablewood.

With Kalen.

I start walking, not really sure where I'm going. My apartment? What's the point? There's nothing for me there. Nothing for me anywhere in this world anymore.