Chapter 13: Taken

Reina got me a library card for that place. She said I might like to borrow a book.

The man in the library was her grandfather, that’s why she gets a card so easily, and he did not scold her.

We went to the cafeteria after we get out of the library. It was 1:00 PM when we arrived. The three of them are here. The two of them turned to us when they saw Cadmus was looking at us.

We were nearby when Rheo frowned at us. “Where have you been?”

"In the library, obviously," Topher said while eating.

Rheo smirked at Topher. “Are you Reina?”

Reina pointed to the counter like she was saying that she will get food. I nodded at her. Topher rolled his eyes and drank his pineapple juice.

I caught Cadmus staring at me. He looked away and continued his food.

Rheo turned to me.

"So, Jasmine. Since Topher answered my question for Reina. Where have you been?"

"Library."

"Just the both of you?"

I noticed that Topher was looking at me, waiting for my answer.

“Yes,” I nodded. “Just the both of us.” Topher sighed in relief after I answered.

Rheo turned to Topher and wiggled his eyebrow. “Are you satisfied with my questions? Or should I add more to calm yourselves?"

"W-What?" Topher said, confused.

Rheo shakes his head. "Nothing. You are just too obvious."

"What are you talking about?"

While they're arguing, Cadmus waves his hand to catch my attention and signal me to sit in the empty seat in his front. I sit beside Rheo when Reina just returned from getting her food.

“What happened?” She shook her head. She searched for me when she noticed that I’m not standing in my position earlier.

Reina smiled at me when she found me.

She looked at Rheo beside me. “Rheo, can we exchange seats, please? I want to seat beside Jasmine."

He suddenly looked at Reina. “Oh, yes, you’re good at that. You only said please to when---ouch!” He looked at the bottom. “What is your problem, Topher?” He’s massaging his feet.

Topher was looking at Rheo and moved his eyes to Reina. Rheo mouthed something that we can not understand. Topher moves his eyes again. I heard Cadmus chuckle in front of me, so I looked at him.

"What are they saying?" I whispered. Cadmus was stunned and looked at me, then, sits properly.

"Uh, okay. I get it. Why didn't you just say so?" Rheo said in a low voice.

Rheo stood up at let Reina sit beside me. She put her tray on the table. Rheo also sits beside Topher.

I was about to stand up when Reina held my hand. I looked at her.

"Where are you going?"

“I’ll just get my food.”

“No, no! I already got you some. I want to treat you because you keep me company earlier,” she said while smiling.

I slowly nod my head. “T-Thank you.” I smiled at her.

After we ate, we went back to our rooms. Reina does not want to go yet when Rheo took her back, so she chased him.

I continued my studies in my room, and I had already finished some of the books. I borrowed Ariella's notebook for the past lessons. While studying, I didn’t realize that I fell asleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night when I heard a rustle. My eyes were so heavy, and I want to sleep again. But I heard something, and I have to check it.

I sat in my bed and suddenly, a book fell on my lap. I fell asleep while reading this. I took it and closed it properly. I stopped when I heard it again. I look around the room.

The sound. Where did it come from? The room was so quiet, and there was no one from the other bed. The light in the room came from the moon outside. The terrace was open, and the curtains were moving because of the wind.

The sound was like trying to escape. I suddenly looked up when I noticed that something was moving and I saw my bag move on its own.

I took my bag and opened it. My eyes went wide. It was the book from the library that I borrowed. The book was moving! Why is this happening?

I took the book. The book almost fell from my hands because the book is trying to escape. And it almost hit my chest, but I stopped it.

Why is the book acting like this? Why does it seem so restless? Is this alive?

It repeated, and almost hit my chest, so I held it well. I touch the engraved flower. What kind of flower is this? Why does the shape of the flower look familiar? I looked at it closely and traced the flower using my finger.

While doing that, I suddenly lay down in my bed. I can’t help but curse because of the pain I felt in my chest.

I took the book from my chest. I frown when I can’t. Look like the book is stuck. I tried again, but it looks like something was holding the book.

I looked from the bottom of the book, and I saw my necklace. My pendant is stuck in the engraved flower of the book. Why is this happening?

I immediately took my necklace from my neck and took the book from my chest. My eyes went wide.

My pendant fits perfectly in the engraved flower of the book!

I stopped. I looked at the terrace; the curtains lift because of the brawny wind. I felt cold suddenly.

I returned my gaze to the book. I frowned. My pendant fits perfectly in the engraved flower… just like a key.

Wait… a key?

My pendant is the key to this book.

I sit properly and put the book on my bed. I observed the book; the pendant is still there. I saw the cover lifted. It’s already open. But how? Why is it my necklace is the key?

How did this happen?

I messed my hair out of frustration. Why? I was stunned when suddenly the room went dark. I looked at the terrace. What’s happening?

There is a shadow of a man outside the terrace. It is not the only shadow. There’s two, then, three, four, and until I lose count, goosebumps all over my body. My heartbeat went fast.

Who are they?

My breath went rough. I feel like I can’t move because of the heavy feeling. Like someone is trying to pull me.

Their shadows are getting closer and closer at the entrance of the terrace. And because of fear, I hid inside my blanket.

Who are they?

Why are they doing on the terrace?

What do they want?

I can feel my body trembling because of fear. I closed my eyes when I heard their breaths. It was rough like they were catching their breaths.

My lips trembled when they were already nearby. I unexpectedly feel hot right now. I also can hear them sniffing at me. I suddenly burst into tears because of fear and pity for myself. I think it’s my time.

I opened my eyes when everything went silent. I only hear the breeze. I cleared my throat and took a deep breath before I slowly removed the blanket.

I cried out in panic when someone pulled me! I held in the bedsheet of my bed tightly. I look back to see who is pulling me, and my eyes went wide when I knew who it was.

A second-level demon!

Because of fear, my hold weakened. I lost my grip on the bedsheet.

I was taken away, and I don't know why!

What do they want from me?!

And I didn’t expect that my scream was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.