Chapter 8: Dark Corners

The book was Nora's constant companion. She spent every free moment she had looking into it, attempting to decipher it. In all her years of research, she hadn't come across a single mention of any sort of hidden or lost book. There was one thing of which she was certain. It was hidden for a reason.

"Going to spend another long night in the library?" Kai asked as he met Nora in their usual spot. It was a bench just outside campus. It was shaded by a large willow tree. It was Nora's favorite place outside of Quail Briar Woods.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I need to figure out what this book is. The pages are so faded, I can't read it."

"Hmm," Kai mused, scratching his chin. "Too bad you aren't a witch and, I don't know, could perform some sort of restoration spell on it or something."

"Kai!" Nora laughed, throwing her arms around him. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you avoid using your Magic at all costs." Kai rolled his eyes.

"You know why I do."

"If you are trying to learn about who are you, maybe it's time you stop running from it," he smirked.

"When did you get so wise?" Nora poked him.

"One of us has to have common sense." He threw his hand on his forehead dramatically. "I suppose I'll carry that burden for us."

Kai was right. If she was truly going to learn about her destiny, it was time she stopped running. If the Dante situation wasn't proof enough, destiny was going to find her whether she wanted it or not.

Dante.

Just the thought of him sent shivers down her spine.

"See you tonight?" Nora said.

"Just be home before sunrise, okay?"

"No promises," she winked and ran off. The library was empty, much to Nora's delight. She hunkered in her customary corner, ready for a night buried in books. She devoured book after books, immersed in the intricacies of spell work. After hours of research, she'd picked the spell she figured would work best. However, she would have to wait until the full moon for it to work to its full power. The spell itself wasn't complicated, but it was specific. Every condition had to be right. Satisfied, she put the Grimoire away.

She looked at her phone and still had a couple of hours before sunrise.

"Good. Let's read up about werewolves." She settled into her chair.

"I can help you with that," a deep voice said in her ear. Nora yelped and jumped out of her seat.

"Shhh," Dante teased. "Aren't you supposed to be quiet in a library?"

He was kneeling beside her table, grinning in obvious amusement.

"What the h*ll!" Nora admonished him, clutching her chest. "How long have you been there?" She sat back in her chair, leaning as far back from him as she could.

"A while." His grin fell away, revealing concern. "You're a hard person to track down. But now I know why. You're a witch, aren't you?"

Nora hung her head. She could deny it. But what good had hiding done her before? And even if she wanted to, there was no hiding it from Dante.

"How did you figure it out?"

"I did say I'd been standing here a while. I saw what you were doing. And I suspected it when I smelled you at the club. Each species has a distinct scent palette."

"Right. Lavender and sunshine," Nora recalled.

"Mmhmm. It's so much stronger in here." He leaned closer to her. Nora had no more room to back away from him.

"You don't care that I'm a witch?"

"Not right now," he said into her neck.

"You should." She trembled. He laughed and it sent vibrations all through her skin. It was getting so much harder to resist him.

"Are you going to hex me or something?" His hands found the sliver of bare skin between her shirt and jeans. He worked his way under her shirt, feeling across her back. She was coming undone at his touch.

"I could." She tried to sound threatening, but her hurried breaths gave her away.

"Then do it," he nipped at her earlobe, and she gasped a little in response.

"I should. You're engaged," she managed.

"It's complicated," he answered. His lips traveled across her collarbone.

"Dante, we can't—"

He stopped her protests with a kiss. Every argument she had evaporated as she was engulfed by the flames of his passion. His hands were on fire, and it felt as though his touch would burn her. Nora returned the kiss with equal fervor, tangling her limbs around him. Her moans filled the space as she lost control of herself. He picked her up and pushed all books off her desk. They fell against it.

Nora reveled as his body weight pushed into hers. Her hands found his bare chest, and she opened her eyes to take in the sight of him. His glorious, bronzed skin was a stark contrast to hers. Goddess, she wanted him so bad. They broke the kiss, and he rested his forehead against hers, gasping for air.

"I'm sorry," he said. "You said my name, and I couldn't hold back."

"We can't keep doing this," Nora said, trying to straighten up.

"You're saying you don't want me?" he raised an eyebrow.

"No, I do. It's not that…" Nora's words got caught in her throat as she took his half naked body. "Wow," she said in spite of herself. "You're really hot."

"Well, thanks," Dante grinned, revealing small fangs. "I try." Nora shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"What I'm trying to say is that we need to have a conversation," Nora groaned. "Clearly something is going on here and we need to figure out what that means for us."

"I know," he ran his fingers through his hair. Nora noticed it was something he did when he was frustrated or angry. "It's just that…" He stood and took a few steps away from her. "It's complicated," he repeated.

"I don't see how it’s complicated." Nora crossed her arms over her chest. "You are engaged. You're not single, and I am not really into homewrecking."

"You're my mate! You’re supposed to be with me!" Dante huffed. He grabbed the back of the chair, using it to keep some kind of barrier between them.

"What about Leah? You're getting married!"

"I don't want to be with her. I never did."

"Then why are you engaged?" Nora threw her hands in the air with frustration.

Dante's expression changed from irritation to sadness. His eyes were heavy with melancholy and it broke Nora's heart.

"It's arranged. My father arranged it. Leah's family, even though they're humans, are prominent figures in society. My marriage to Leah is a business merger."

"You’re kidding," Nora scoffed.

"No. I'm not."

"Shit," Nora said, sinking back into her chair. "So, what does that mean? For us?"

"Nothing," he stood and pulled Nora up with him. "I don't love her. Not one bit."

"But you have to marry her. And I'm a witch. I don't think Alpha Roman will think I'm a suitable substitute for a Starling City heiress."

"You let me worry about that," Dante purred. "Right now, the only things I care about are how you're looking at me, and making you say my name again. And again, and again."