25. 25: Vienna

25 – Vienna

I ’m not sure why I think a sudden bout of information will help us thwart the angels but I’ll do just about anything at this point. Knowing that they’re bracing for us, preparing to block us from our purpose is reason enough for to be here right now, running my fingers along the binds of the books like I did before. I’ll be punished for skipping group therapy but this is more important.

The four horsemen fan out around me. Ewan and Kaua take the far shelves, their tall forms moving like shadows in the dim light. Vito and Nevan stick closer, their presence grounding even as the tension in the air crackles between us. It’s comforting and unnerving all at once. The library is vast and the silence only adds to the eerie atmosphere.

The worst part is that I have absolutely no idea what I’m even looking for.

My fingers trail along the spines of the books as I walk, my mind swimming with questions. Why did no one stop us? Why didn’t anyone check in our rooms to make sure we were ushered to breakfast?

As if reading my thoughts, Vito catches my eye, leaning casually against a shelf. “I handled the surveillance,” he says, his tone low and laced with amusement. “No one’s watching us here.”

I pause, blinking at him. “You did what?”

He shrugs, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Convinced them this wing wasn’t worth their time. You’re welcome.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, my voice softer than I intend.

As I move past him, I catch Ewan and Kaua out of the corner of my eye. They’re standing close, too close, their heads bent together as though sharing some secret. And then it happens—Ewan’s hand grips the back of Kaua’s neck, pulling him into a kiss that’s anything but subtle. It’s raw, intense, and startlingly intimate.

My face burns, and I whirl around, intending to escape before I see more, but a strong hand wraps around my wrist. I’m pulled back between them, my breath hitching as their heat surrounds me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Kaua’s voice rumbles, low and teasing.

Before I can answer, Ewan tilts my chin up, his pale eyes gleaming with something dark and playful. “You’re not getting away that easily,” he murmurs.

And then they’re kissing me, first Ewan and then Kaua, his warmth a stark contrast that leaves me reeling. It’s overwhelming, and yet I don’t pull away. Their touches are fleeting, teasing, before they let me go, grinning like they’ve won some unspoken game.

Flustered, I stumble back, my heart racing as I try to catch my breath. “You’re both impossible,” I joke, brushing past them as I head deeper into the library.

The shelves grow taller, the air thicker with dust and age. I cough again, waving a hand in front of my face as I navigate the narrow aisles. My fingers skim the books almost absently until one catches my attention. It’s old, its leather cover cracked and faded, and yet it seems to call to me. I’m much deeper between the shelves than I was last time but the darkness doesn’t phase me.

The moment I open it, a strange warmth washes over me, pulling me in. The words on the pages blur and shift, symbols and text I don’t understand. My head swims, and I feel a strange pull, as though the book itself is alive, reaching for me.

A sharp jolt zaps through my fingers, and I cry out, dropping the book as a searing pain spreads across my chest. Tears spring to my eyes as I clutch at my shirt, the burning sensation spreading like fire beneath my skin.

The others are on me in an instant. Nevan reaches for the book, while Kaua grabs my shoulders, steadying me as I gasp for air.

“What happened?” Ewan demands as he scans me for injuries.

“I—” I start, but the words die in my throat as the library door slams open.

Michael strides in, his heavy footsteps ringing through the library. His gaze locks onto me as he turns down the row we’re in, his expression twisting into something that makes my stomach churn.

“What are you doing here?” he snaps, his voice laced with authority. “And why did you miss breakfast?”

Before I can answer, he’s on me, his hand closing around my arm like a vice. I try to pull away, but his grip is persistent as he drags me toward the door.

“She’s with us,” Ewan says, stepping forward.

Michael doesn’t even look at him. “She was told to participate. There are consequences for disobedience.” His gaze flickers to me, cold and calculating. “And she’s about to find out what they are.”

I struggle, squirming against his hold, but it’s like fighting a steel trap. He drags me down the hallway, my protests falling on deaf ears, until he shoves me into my room and slams the door behind us. The sound reverberates through the small space as I stagger back.

Michael stands between me and the door, his eyes narrowing as he takes a step closer. “What were you looking for in the library?” he demands.

“Nothing,” I say quickly, my voice wobbling. “I was just—”

“Don’t lie to me. There’s a dark presence around you, Vienna. Wherever you go, it follows. Why?”

I freeze, his words sinking in. I can’t let him know that I know.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I don’t feel anything.”

His expression darkens and he steps closer, his presence suffocating and not in a good way. “You’re lying and lies have consequences.”

Before I can react, he pulls a small bottle of pills from his pocket, shaking two into his hand. “Since the medication isn’t working, we’ll have to adjust the dosage.”

“No,” I whisper, backing away. “Please—”

“Take them,” he orders.

With shaking hands, I take the pills, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me as I swallow them. The effects are immediate, a numbing haze creeping over me, stealing the strength from my limbs. My knees buckle, and I collapse against the bed, my body limp and unresponsive all over again.

Michael leans over me, his breath hot against my ear. “You’ll stay here. Isolated. Until you decide to cooperate.”

I can’t respond, my tongue heavy and useless in my mouth. He straightens, his cruel laughter ringing in my ears as he heads for the door.

“You’re not as clever as you think, Vienna,” he says as he steps out, the door clanking shut behind him.

The sound of the lock turning echoes in my mind as the darkness pulls me under.