Epilogue 2 Olivia

I'm busy trying to figure out the best way to organize the incredible collection of scrolls Charlotte Winthrop amassed when Amanda's voice cuts through my concentration.

"Earth to Olivia! Aren't you gonna take lunch?"

I blink, realizing I've been at this for hours without moving. "Oh, right. Of course, thanks, Amanda."

She smiles, perfect teeth gleaming. "No problem. Hey, any word from Zoe?"

I shake my head. "No, I bet she's just blowing off some steam. Serves Douchebag Dan right if you ask me. I'm glad she took her little unplanned vacation. Maybe her absence will make him appreciate her for a change. I bet she's sipping margaritas on some tropical beach right now."

"Well, good for her," Amanda says. "Doesn't sound half bad, to tell you the truth."

As we head to the break room, I can't help but feel a twinge of envy. Sometimes I wish I had Zoe's guts. When was the last time I did anything spontaneous?

Um, hello Liv, like never.

"So what are you working on today?" Amanda asks as we sit down with our sad desk salads.

I perk up, always eager to share my latest research. "Oh, it's just incredible! The deeper I dig into this place, the more I admire Charlotte. She travelled the whole world way before you could just jump on plane to do it! We have barely even begun to document and collate everything that's here!"

"This must be like heaven for you," Amanda laughs politely.

"Kinda," I admit, suddenly feeling embarrassed and maybe a little deflated.

Right. Amanda is on the grant writing side of things here. Normal people don't find this stuff half as exciting as I do.

I notice her perfectly styled hair, and designer shoes.

Great, another woman I can't compete with.

Worst part is she is really nice too.

I chuckle to myself.

Just stay in your lane Liv.

Everything is gonna work out.

That's my mantra these days it seems.

The day is winding down, and I'm just straightening my desk up for tomorrow when the strangest sensation comes over me. It's like a whisper at the edge of my consciousness, urging me to... what? I'm not sure, but my eyes keep drifting to the door leading to the sub-basement.

I've been going through the mansion one room at a time as I catalog items, and it just hasn't come up yet. But now for some reason, it just feels like there is nothing more urgent than going down there. Truth is I am happy for the distraction. Better than heading home to an empty apartment.

Maybe there are scrolls down there that need urgent cataloging? It makes no sense, but the pull is almost magnetic, impossible to ignore.

"This is silly," I mutter, even as I find myself walking towards the door."

The stairwell is dimly lit, each step echoing in the silence. As I descend, the air grows cooler, heavy with the scent of old paper and forgotten memories.

Amanda is right, this place is heaven to me, I chuckle to myself as I reach the bottom of the first set of stairs. There, I pause, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest.

My rational brain is starting to question what the hell I am doing going down here. I should turn around, get my butt back and stairs and head home for the night. But for once in my life, my rational mind isn't winning out.

I switch on my phone's flashlight as I descend the second set of stairs to the stone arched rooms of the sub-basement. Its beam cuts through the gloom. Rows of shelves loom before me, their contents hidden in shadow. But something tells me there's more here than just dusty old artifacts.

What the hell are you doing down here Liv?

I have no idea, but the pull won't subside.

At the same time I have to admit it is exciting to listen to my gut instead of my head. I need to do it more often.

Maybe this is the beginning of a whole new adventurous you Liv!

I realize I like the sound of that. Cause I am definitely ready for a new me.

I take another step down...

What is that glow?

Thank so much for reading the first book in my new Fablewood Monster Mates series! I am kinda liking the Monster stuff. It's fun...and sort of hard to take too serious ; )

I am hard at work on book 2... which will of course tell the story of Olivia...

In the meantime, if you loved this one, and haven't already read the story I did with Cynthia Wilde, Troll Charming, then please check it out!