Chapter 33

"Are you sure you're okay?" Vanessa asked for what felt like the hundredth time. Ever since I told her about the attack last night, she had been glued to my side, fretting over every little thing. She was always dramatic, but this time, I couldn't blame her. Maybe I shouldn't have told her, though.

"I promise, I'm fine," I said, tying my scarf around my neck and slipping into my sneakers. "I was shaken up when it happened, sure, but I didn't get hurt. Elijah saved me before anything could happen."

Vanessa sighed from her perch on my bed, her arms crossed as she studied me. "Are you absolutely certain you want to go to work today? You should take a day off, Liz. Get some rest for once."

I turned to her with a small smile. "Bad things happen all the time, Vanessa. That doesn't mean I can put my life on pause. Besides, like I said, Elijah saved me."

"You're so stubborn sometimes," she muttered, shaking her head. "Fine, but I'm driving you to work."

I couldn't help but smile wider. "Thank you, really."

As we got in the car, Vanessa glanced over at me. "I still can't believe Elijah was there. What was he even doing in the forest anyway?"

I hesitated, staring out the window as the memory of last night flashed through my mind. Every time I tried to piece it together, it felt like I was chasing smoke. My fingers brushed against my neck as if to check for something that wasn't there. That man...his teeth felt like razors. His speed, his strength-it defied logic. Thinking about it too hard only made my head ache.

"Are you okay?" Vanessa asked, catching my expression. Worry was etched into her eyes.

"Yeah," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just a little headache, nothing to worry about. I don't know what Elijah was doing there, but I'm just glad he was. Who knows what could've happened if he wasn't?"

"I don't even want to think about it," Vanessa said with a shudder.

When we arrived at the library, I thanked her again before heading inside. It was quiet, as usual. The stillness was comforting, though the absence of Haley made the place feel emptier than ever. I wondered if she'd be back anytime soon or if I'd have to get used to running this place solo.

I busied myself shelving books that had been returned. It helped keep my mind occupied-or at least, I thought it would. But every time my hands stilled, I found myself thinking of Damon. His silver-grey eyes lingered in my mind like an unshakable specter.

As I picked up another book, the cover caught my attention. It depicted a wolf, its amber eyes gleaming against a backdrop of dense forest. Something about it felt achingly familiar, though I couldn't place why. My fingers tightened around the spine as my mind strained, searching for a memory that seemed just out of reach.

The effort was too much. A sharp pain lanced through my skull, and I staggered, grabbing onto the nearest shelf for support. Damon's silver eyes flashed in my mind, but the image was different this time. We weren't dancing-we were in a dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of bourbon and aged wood.

Then, another image struck me like a lightning bolt: glowing yellow eyes, the sound of deep growls reverberating in the darkness. My breath hitched as the flashes came faster-a cave filled with people, their faces blurred as they ran from something I couldn't see.

Before I could make sense of it, my vision blurred, and a warm trickle slid down my face. Blood. My nose was bleeding. My legs buckled, and the world tilted as I crumpled to the floor.

I stayed there for a moment, breathing deeply, willing the throbbing in my head to subside. When the dizziness finally ebbed, I sat up slowly, my hand brushing against the wolf book. Were those memories? And if so, whose memories were they?

I decided to keep the book. Maybe there was something in its pages that could help me make sense of this strange feeling of familiarity.

By the time I locked up the library and stepped outside, the late afternoon sun was already beginning to dip below the horizon. Vanessa was probably right; I should've taken the day off. My head still felt heavy, like my thoughts were swimming through molasses.

As I turned the corner, I noticed Nicholas waiting by his car, leaning casually against the hood.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked with a smile, though I already had a pretty good idea.

He shrugged, his lips curving into a small grin. "Waiting to take you home."

I blushed, suddenly aware that Vanessa must have told him about the attack. "It wasn't that big of a deal," I said, trying to downplay the situation.

He opened the passenger door for me. "You should've called me," he said softly.

Guilt pricked at me. I hadn't even thought to call him-I just wanted to forget the whole ordeal. "I'm sorry. I just...I didn't want to think about it anymore."

"It's okay," he said, reaching for my hand. His touch was warm and grounding. "I'm just glad you're safe now."

I nodded, giving him a small smile in return. As we drove, my phone buzzed with a text from Chloe. She needed help picking out paintings for a gift, and judging by the triple panicking emojis she added, it was apparently an emergency.

"Can you drop me off at the gallery center?" I asked. "Chloe's having a meltdown over some paintings."

Nicholas chuckled, shaking his head. "I can imagine."

When we arrived at the gallery, Nicholas made me promise to call him when I was done. Inside, Chloe was pacing in front of five massive paintings, her face a mask of panic.

"Liz!" she cried, rushing over to me. "You have to help me, or my mother is going to kill me. She asked me to pick two paintings to send to the Elvadors' First Quarters, and I don't even know where to start!"

I studied the paintings. One in particular caught my eye-a serene image of a full moon reflecting off a still lake, with a lone woman standing at its edge. It was hauntingly beautiful. I pointed to it, then to another painting of a sleek black wolf poised against a starry sky.

"These," I said confidently. "They're perfect. If the Elvadors don't like them, then they don't have taste."

Chloe's face lit up. "I knew I should've called you sooner! You're a lifesaver, Liz."

She ordered one of the staff to wrap the paintings while giving me a bear hug. "Come on, let's go deliver these!"

I frowned. "I thought my job was just to help you pick them, not deliver them."

"Please, Liz!" she whined. "I don't want to go there alone. The place gives me the creeps."

I smirked. "I thought you loved them."

"I do, but still...please?" she pouted, her eyes wide with mock innocence.

"Fine," I sighed. "But you owe me."

The First Quarters was grand, but its eerie aura was impossible to ignore. The air felt heavier here, charged with an energy I couldn't quite place. The staff welcomed us warmly, taking the paintings to be unwrapped. Chloe nearly spilled her juice on me in her excitement when they praised her choices.

"Ugh, I'm so sorry!" she said, looking mortified.

"It's fine," I said, though my damp sleeve disagreed. "Where's the bathroom?"

"Upstairs," one of the staff members replied. "First floor, third door on the right."

As I made my way up, I couldn't help but admire the architecture. The house was steeped in history, its old-world charm evident in every detail. Even the bathroom was ornate, its gilded mirrors and marble finishes far too luxurious for a guest space.

As I stepped out, I paused to admire a small painting on the wall. It was another wolf, its golden eyes piercing and familiar.

"Do you like it?"

The voice came from behind me, low and familiar, sending a shiver down my spine. I turned quickly, startled.

There he was-Damon. His silver-grey eyes glinted with amusement as he leaned casually against the wall.

"You scared me," I said, taking a step back. "Again." it was becoming a habit now.

He smirked. "Hello, love."

I couldn't help stare at him...speechless.