Silver at Midnight: A Paranormal Romance Urban Fantasy (The Keepers of Knowledge Series Book 5) by Bridgette O'Hare (best large ereader .TXT) 📕

it. The very foundation of this town is built with our histories. If you ever need to learn anything about any of the races, this is the place to begin.”

I stood in awe as I looked around. “It’s so much like the old library in Trinity College,” I mumbled.

“That’s because Thomas Burgh’s father was a Keeper of the Gargoyle variety, his oldest brother carried on the position. But Thomas played in the halls here quite often, according to the stories. As evidenced by his architectural design of Trinity’s library, these halls clearly stayed with him,” Nira revealed. “Please, feel free to familiarize yourself. Take your time.”

I wanted nothing more than to take the entire day, but I had someplace to be at nine. I glanced to the clock on the wall. Already ten minutes after eight. I needed to speak with Uncle Lachlan for at least a few minutes.

“Is the building open tomorrow?” I asked.

“Not to the public, but as a Keeper you have full twenty-four-hour access. Every day. Public access hours vary, and are limited, although it is completely closed to them on Sundays.”

“Noted. Thank you. I believe I’ll come back tomorrow when I have more time to truly get familiar with everything here.”

Nira’s eyebrow arched subtly. “I understand. You have plans with your uncle today,” she stated. It was an eloquent move. Highly impressive inquiring method. And my opening to ask about Cian.

“Actually, I’m meeting Cian McCallister for coffee,” I offered and watched for her reactions.

Both eyebrows raised with curiosity, but she withheld a verbal response.

“Something I should know?” I challenged.

“Oh no. I’m just . . . a little surprised, I guess.”

My turn to raise an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

“Because Cian is nothing like Dex Long. Dex is open and chatty with new people. Cian is reserved. The circle of people he engages with isn’t really a circle at all—more like a line between him and his brother, Brenhin. I have never seen him interact with anyone in a social manner outside of the café or the bar,” she volunteered.

“The bar?” I inquired.

“Cian owns Rocky’s Tavern. It’s really the only actual bar in town.”

“I see.” I wanted to tell her to rest easy. My coffee date with Cian wasn’t a date at all. It was purely business. But I wasn’t sure how much, if anything, Nira knew about The Saiad. I certainly didn’t know how much Cian wanted her, or anyone, to know. As much as I hated to leave her imagination to run rampant, it was probably better that she think there was something social happening instead. “He didn’t mention the bar while we were chatting last night. Maybe he will today. But I do want to thank you for suggesting the Columbian Special. It did not disappoint,” I added, hoping to keep her imagination running in a safe direction far away from the truth. “I never would have thought to brew coffee that way.”

She glared at me curiously. “He actually told you how he makes it?” her tone was laced with disbelief.

“Umm . . .” I wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Oh, wow.” Her eyes widened with a knowing gleam, and an odd smile formed on her perfectly painted lips. “That must have been some chat you two had.”

I needed to stop this before it spiraled further.

“It was just a regular chat,” I stated, immediately realizing my tone totally sounded like I was trying to defend myself. Hello guilty subconscious. Just thinking about the previous night, being near Cian, caused a hint of the sensation and connection I’d felt to rush over my skin. I drew in a slow, cleansing breath and reminded myself it was just a chat. A strange, confusing, thought-provoking, stimulating chat.

Nira’s smile widened. “I see,” she paused for only a moment. “How about I give you a quick walkthrough of the rest of the library and let you get over to the offices and your uncle before you have to leave for that coffee?”

“That sounds good,” I practically jumped at the chance for the current conversation about Cian to come to an end.

“Follow me,” she requested.

I pushed through the glass doors of the Keepers administrative building. For a Saturday morning, there were more people moving about inside than I had expected, but it was still mostly void of traffic. I turned left and followed a long hall as Nira had instructed.

Massive windows lined the right side of the hallway, allowing for a great deal of natural light. I glanced through an open door into one of the offices as I passed, and my focus instantly went to the floor-to-ceiling windows on the outside wall. Pressed for time, I didn’t have a chance to look at much else.

Uncle Lachlan’s office was the next to last door and was also standing open.

“Do you always leave your office door open?” I asked as I stopped at the threshold.

He smiled. “No, lass. I was expecting ye. Wanted t’ make it easier fer ye t’ find me. Please, come in.” He motioned me forward. As I stepped to the side to close the door behind me, I noticed a symbol that appeared to have been seared into the door. It was the same symbol as the one hanging around my neck, hidden beneath my sweater. The pendant Grams had given me.

Uncle Lachlan must have noticed me admiring it. “Every Keeper and High Council member is given a medallion that corresponds with their bloodline. Ye shall get yers soon enough, lass.”

I glanced at the symbol once more before pushing the door to a close and wondered if Uncle Lachlan knew about my pendant. “I’ve seen that symbol before.” I pointed back over my shoulder toward the door. “Is it something specific t’ the Keepers and High Council? Or should I have been seeing it more regularly?” I asked, curious about the origins. Until just that moment, I had, in fact, never seen it other than forged in silver around my neck. All I knew