The Order: Hit and Run by Emma Cole Page 0,46
a funny look, surreal coming from him, and nods along as I explain.
"So, you're wanting to trace a family or two far enough back to show how they helped shape the current community? Any specific thing you're looking for?" At my head shake he continues, "In that case, I know of a few options. Why don't you check out some books, and I'll go hunt down what you're after."
"Thank you, Kent, I really appreciate it." My smile is more genuine this time, research seems to agree with Kent, making him act almost normal. He returns the grin, pulling a little stand out that reads, ‘Will be back soon’, he sits it on the counter and comes out from behind it.
“Not a problem,” he hesitates for a breath, then adds, “Miss Cordelia.” His smile is shy and just a bit shifty, as if it’s our little secret that he didn’t use the full address. I’d been pleased it wasn’t the subservient ‘Mistress’ until his reaction about it. "Actually, why don't you come with me. That way you'll know where everything is in case I'm not here." I'd rather not, but I need the information.
I offer a shaky smile, hoping he just hurries the hell up and shows me the books. Thankfully, he starts off right away, and I let him get a step ahead of me to forestall any small talk he might try to initiate. We wind through the shelves until we reach the stacks in the far side of the building. The silence is almost unnerving and I find myself wishing we weren’t alone-- I don’t trust anyone at this school.
“Hmm,” Kent starts, with his head cocked and mouth twisted up, “I thought they were in this section. They must have been moved to the closed stacks downstairs. I’ll go check, but students aren’t supposed to go down there without a pass. Although, since I’m the one on duty tonight, I could provide one. Maybe.”
My head is shaking before he even finishes. No fucking way am I going into a basement with him alone. “That’s okay, thank you for the offer, but I actually need to use the facilities.” I turn slightly to the side, pointing back the way we came. “I’m guessing they’re up by the entrance?”
While his mouth briefly droops in disappointment, he doesn’t push the issue. “There’s the one for students up front and the faculty one back here. Feel free to use either one, I’m going to go see if I can find the materials you need. It could take me a bit, so don’t leave please.”
Grateful for the reprieve from his presence, I nod and start to back away, I just can’t quite make myself turn my back on him. Kent waves as he moves away, finally disappearing around the corner of the shelving. A puff of pent up air I hadn’t realized I’d been holding in, escapes in a rush.
My excuse of needing the bathroom gives me time to check out the contents of the shelves on my own, but nothing really stands out. Not that I recognize anyway, so I move on, dragging a finger across the titles as I read them. The lack of attention to my surroundings nearly has me walking into a man, I barely stop, inches from stepping on his boot-clad foot.
I look up, and then up some more, before I reach his face. For a brief moment I swear recognition flits through me, and that it’s echoed in the man’s cerulean gaze. Shaking off the nonsensical notion-- he resembles one of the guys and that must be what I’m picking up on, I glance away from him, trying to figure out how he’s managed to sneak up on me. There isn’t a hidden alcove, so I must have just been spacing out. Embarrassing considering the near mishap, but likely not nefarious on his part. Figuring my weird, silent, deductions need to come to an end, I introduce myself.
“Hello, I’m Cora, uh, do you work here? Oh, and umm... sorry about almost running you over, I wasn’t really paying attention.” I shut my mouth at the amused curve of his lips wincing in embarrassment. Could I be any more awkward?
The man doesn’t seem to think anything of it and sketches a short bow. “I do, after a fashion. Work here, that is. Were you looking for something in particular?” He doesn’t give me his name, and I don’t want to be rude by asking him, but if he