Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions Chapter 101

The sun is beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting soft, golden rays through the library windows, but I barely notice. My hands are busy sorting through all my new books, my fingers brushing the crisp pages as I settle in with my coffee, the warmth of the mug grounding me in a way I haven’t felt in days.

I take a small sip, savoring the taste, and glance over at Thane. He’s on the opposite side of the room, leaning casually against one of the bookshelves, and even though his posture is relaxed, his eyes are fixed on me with that intense, almost quiet curiosity that never seems to go away.

"You know, I always thought first editions were a bit...over the top. But I have to admit, you’ve got good taste, Draeven." I tease as I place another book in its new spot.

Strolling over to his desk chair and gracefully sitting down in it, Thane lets out the softest of chuckles before saying, “I’ve been known to have my moments,” and I’m suddenly struck by how even the smallest expression on his face feels charged with meaning. "But really, you’re the one with the good taste," he adds, his voice smooth and teasing. "I’m just here for the view."

I roll my eyes, and a natural smile blooms on my face. "Always so charming," I reply sarcastically, but my voice turns wistful when I add, "You know, I never thought I’d meet a guy who’d go all out to gift me books. No one has ever cared that much about my ‘bookworm’ tendencies."

With a tone that’s a mix of sincerity and that strange warmth I still can’t quite get used to, Thane says, "Well, I figured if I’m going to try and be part of your world, I should learn about it."

I shake my head lightly, returning my attention to the latest book in my hands, feeling a strange mixture of contentment and incredulity. "Not sure why I’m still surprised by you."

Before he can answer, though, a strange sixth sense has my head lifting and my eyes gliding to Thane—he’s on alert, his body tensing like a predator sensing movement in the distance. I swallow the nervous lump in my throat as I see him shift, his gaze narrowing, and I feel the subtle tension in the air.

"What’s wrong?" I ask, my own eyes narrowing as I watch him for any type of tell.

I get my answer when a few seconds later, the one library door creaks open without so much as a tap of knuckles to warn the room’s occupants of the approaching visitor’s arrival. It’s Griffin, because of course it is, strolling in as if he owns the place, as he flashes that signature grin of his, all easy charm and cocky confidence.

His eyes go to Thane first, but then he must sense someone else in the room, and when he looks around and sees me standing there, a small amount of surprise crosses his features, before he smirks and drawls, "Well, well, well, look who’s made herself at home."

I raise an eyebrow at him, amused by his typical lack of filter. "You make it sound like I’m some kind of intruder."

Griffin shrugs, his smirk barely fading. "I just didn’t think you’d be so...settled in already," he teases, glancing back at Thane. "I thought we were keeping this low-key, Thane. All these first editions might just be a bit much for your taste."

Thane glares at him, but I can tell it’s more out of habit because there’s absolutely no cruelty behind it. He doesn’t reply to Griffin, and neither do I, but I *am* grinning at their back-and-forth like a loon.

"You’re just jealous he didn’t gift you first editions," I quip and add a wink for good measure.

Griffin's grin widens. "I get my very own special sort of gifts from him, thank you very much," he replies, the teasing tone never leaving his voice.

Thane rolls his eyes at our shenanigans and leans back in his chair with his arms crossed. "Can we keep the flirting to a minimum?" His voice is almost deadpan. "You didn’t just barge into my place to make small talk, did you?"

At Thane’s question, Griffin’s expression shifts almost immediately. Our casual banter fades, he becomes serious, and his voice is quieter when he answers, "I’ve got an update for you.” His eyes then flick to me briefly before they return to Thane as he asks, "Can we talk?"

A chill runs through me at the shift in his tone, and I can feel the change in the atmosphere. Thane’s posture, relaxed a moment ago, is now rigid, and I know it’s not just because of Griffin. Something’s happening. Something serious.

Then, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, Thane rises from his seat and strolls over to where I’m standing. Reaching me, he leans down and places the lightest of kisses on my forehead before murmuring against my skin, "We’ll be right back."

I nod silently, watching him and Griffin walk out the door to presumably Thane’s home office—the one we passed on our way here earlier, that’s two doors down—and I’m left there with my coffee, my books, and my mind that is running at breakneck speeds. I can’t help but feel this strange pull to join them so I can know more about what’s happening, but I know it’s not the right time for that. Not yet, at least.

I sit back down on the floor and stare at the books that are still sprawled out on the floor before me, the silence in the room becoming heavier by the second. Even though they’re a little way away from the library, I can still hear their muffled voices as they drift down the hallway towards me. I can’t make out their words, but the way they’re talking—so low and serious—only confirms that whatever is going on is important.

I take another sip of my now cooled-down coffee, trying to relax, but a nervous knot forms in my stomach. As the minutes pass, I try to distract myself by sorting more books, but I can’t focus. I know something is wrong. Something that I’m not entirely in the loop on. But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s connected to me, somehow.

Griffin’s voice then cuts through the quiet, slightly louder now, enabling me to hear his following words, “You’re right. But it’s not just about power anymore. We have reason to believe Harley’s involved in some way. Not directly, but she’s important to them. That’s the piece we’re missing.”

I freeze when I hear my name. I don’t want to listen, but I can’t help it now. Thane’s voice then follows, also louder, yet still controlled. "What do you mean?"

Griffin’s reply is clipped, and it makes my heart race. "They know about her. Not that she’s your mate, but they know she means *something* to you. How they know, we’re still trying to figure out. But that’s what we have so far.”

My heart drops into my stomach as I hear those words. They know about me. They know I mean something to him. It doesn’t sound good. It sounds like danger. I don’t even know what it means yet, or who *they* are, but the weight of it settles on me, pressing into my chest like a storm cloud.

Their voices then lower in volume again, but not in intensity, and I’m again unable to hear Thane’s response. But it doesn’t matter, because my mind is reeling at what I just heard, and his response might just push my mind over the proverbial edge it’s standing on.

And then, without warning, I hear a loud crash from his office, and the sound of glass shattering is deafening as it echoes down the hallway like a shockwave. I jump up from my spot on the floor, my heart pounding, as I rush through the library doors, down the hall, and towards his half-open office door. With a hesitant hand on the doorknob, I step forward and push the door open slightly.

“Thane? Is everything okay?” I ask softly, my voice trembling slightly as I come to a stop on the threshold.

And that’s when I see him.

Thane is standing there, and the aura around him is dark and dangerous. His eyes are glowing a fiery red that could rival the most brilliant of rubies, their whites almost completely gone, and his fangs are fully extended. His posture is rigid, like a beast on the edge of losing control, and he looks every bit the vampire king I never thought I’d see.

I stop dead in my tracks, fear crawling up my spine as I stare at him, unsure of how to react in this moment. The room feels suffocating, the weight of his anger crashing down on me. And yet, there’s a pull, something that’s telling me I can’t turn away from him. I don’t know what’s happening, but I know it’s not something I can ignore.

So I stay.