Page 10 of Bound By Honey

“Of course! What are friends for?”

Taking another sip, Sage smiled back, already planning on making a cup for Freddy tonight. She was determined to put the skills she had learned today to good use and show her new roommate how much she appreciated his help.

***

With two cups of hot coffee, Sage stood in front of the bookshelf in the children's section. Why hadn't she asked Freddy how to open this secret door?

While setting the drinks on a shelf, Sage looked for something to boost herself enough to see the top of the shelf itself. A wooden chair caught her eye. She dragged the heavy piece of furniture across the floor. The legs shrieked in protest against the smooth wood and raised puffs of dust. Making a mental note to do a deep clean of this section of the library tomorrow, Sage placed the back of the chair against the bookshelf.

She climbed onto it, gripping the shelf to steady herself. Gingerly, she reached up and ran her fingers along the books’ spines. Estimating where she had seen him pull the book from the night before, she began pulling the books out one by one, holding them in the crook of her elbow.

Just as she was about to give up, her fingers brushed against something cold and metallic.

Sage smiled as with a small push the secret door was revealed. Stepping down from the chair, she returned it to its home and grabbed the two cups of coffee from the shelf. She sipped her coffee, humming happily as she climbed into the hidden compartment behind the bookshelf.

She saw a small chest sitting on the floor as she entered her temporary home. It wasn't there the night before. Excitedly, she rushed over and lifted the lid, only to find it empty.

Baffled, Sage frowned down at the chest. What could have been in the trunk if this secret space was empty?

She heard footsteps sounding from outside the door. She quickly shut the chest and ducked behind one of the stacks of books, holding her breath as she listened intently.

Her heart pounding in her chest, she heard someone fumbling with the secret door’s lock. It slowly creaked open, and soon Freddy's face appeared.

"Hi," he said, smiling at her.

"Hi." She grinned back. "You're just in time for coffee."

Freddy stepped into the secret space and set a plate of bread and cheese on the small table. He walked over to the fireplace and lit a fire, sending sparks of gold dancing around the room.

Sage watched in wonder as he created a cozy little nook in the hidden space.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Freddy took the cup of coffee from her outstretched hand. "Of course."

"How much magic can gargoyles do? I know you use magic to check out books in the library; apparently, you can use fire magic. Do you have limits or specialties like mages do?"

He shook his head and moved to sit in the plush chair near the fire.

"What do you know about gargoyles?"

She thought for a moment before answering. "Not much. Just that at night, you’re alive and apparently fae. During the day, you are a stone statue."

He swirled the cup and took a slow sip. "Technically, I’m still alive in my stone form. Have you ever seen any gargoyles other than myself?"

Sage shook her head no.

"Gargoyles are the end game for cursed fae, Sage."

Sage nearly dropped the cup but splashed the hot liquid on her hand instead. She hurried to place it on the table and wipe the burning drink from her tender skin.

A deep laugh erupted from Freddy.

"You're joking."

Wiping tears, he took a deep breath, set his coffee cup down beside him, and leaned forward.

"I would never joke about something like this," he said in a severe tone, his gold-flecked eyes piercing. "We are mages."

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