Page 9 of Toward Immortal Ruin

“I grew up on Underworld and Blade, and when I lost myself in Anne Rice, I never really returned. From there, my love of the subculture only grew. Gothic fiction is a seriously underappreciated genre.”

“What, not paranormal romance?”

“Especially not paranormal romance. I’ve read more shifter and vampire books than I can remember. I think I’m over the whole ‘I, First Last, reject you, First Last, as my fated mate.’” She shook her head. “Barf.”

Nero chuckled. “No fated mates, huh?”

“I actually love that trope. I just hate the rejection part of it.”

A part of him breathed easier.

They entered the library side by side through the open double doors, and the smell of old books greeted them.

“There’s something about libraries I’ve always loved,” she admitted. “I’d love to say it’s the scholar in me, but I think it’s equal parts silence and solitude. Libraries are a perfect little corner of peace. No one can bother you here.”

A librarian shushed them from the front desk.

“Except the librarians,” Nero whispered.

Biting her lips, Eden nodded fervently. She pointed to a stack of books without speaking, then ducked down the row as Nero attempted to keep up. When the woman wanted to move, she was quick.

Once they were out of the hearing range of the front desk, she whispered, “Do you mind if I just pop over there for a second? Just wanted to check if they have a book that I’ve been lusting after.”

“Should I be concerned?”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Absolutely not. It’s a fabulous book, but you have nothing to worry about. You’re gorgeous.”

“I’m flattered.”

Her eyes went wide. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

“Freudian slip?”

“Oh, definitely.” She turned her attention back to the bookstacks and took a long blissful inhale. His mate was adorable, and treated books like a puppy faced with a delicious treat.

“Back when I worked here full time, I’d spend hours among the stacks. Sitting on the floor, reading volume after volume. I was a real hip professor, lemme tell ya.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Nero’s grin faded. “Sounds like you enjoyed your job. Why did you go on sabbatical?”

Eden froze. “Oh. It’s complicated.”

The sudden fear and doubt in her psychic signature plunged Nero into confusion. One moment, he’d sensed the building warmness in her emotional state, and the next, it was like a wall slammed down behind her eyes. Being afraid of telling him the truth was one thing, but if her fear was ofhim,or someone at work who’d pushed her out or made her feel unsafe, it was a different story. Beneath his skin, his panther roamed forward, hissing in response to anything that made his mate uneasy.

Reading emotions could only go so far. Without the thought life behind them, it could leave Nero feeling groundless. Unsure how to interpret her reaction, he took her social cue nonetheless and let the subject go.

“What do you do, Nero? I feel like I know nothing about you.”

“I’m an architect by trade. But I confess, I dabble in a bit of everything.”

“Jack of all trades?”

“Master of none,” he finished, then beamed. “Well, would you look at this?”

Plucking a book off the shelf, he raised it in triumph. When Eden realized it washerbook he’d found, she turned a vibrant red. His panther purred in approval, and he realized then that he was entirely lost for this woman.

Nothing would ever be the same again. His life was finallybeginning.

Chapter Four

---