Chapter Twenty Two

Jasper's POV

The moment Lyra froze I instantly felt something was wrong as my hair stood on ends as I felt something predatory.... That stench... Vampire?

I moved before she could say anything else and dragged her out of that place by her wrist never minding the books that fell to the floor.

“Jasper—”

“Back” I growled out instinctively as my Furs started to burst out along with my claws, growling deeply. Lyra stumbled against me but she didn't fight it, she trusted the reaction and that meant enough had happened this past weeks for her to realize that I wasn't joking.

The face smiled as shadows moved between the shelves and the person on the other side leaned forward slightly with amusement on his face.

“Woah” he said casually, lifting up his hands in surrender. “Easy there, I mean no harm. Really”

Lyra stiffened beside me but I didn't back down either, even if I knew this was a public library and the danger of being exposed was high.

The stranger stepped forward more from out of the shadows, his boots not making a sound on the floor, and he looked... Wrong... Not harmless or... Threatening like I expected, wait? What was I even expecting?

He looked off, his skin wasn't as pale as a vampire, it was bit more... Colorful, like human? And his eyes were a strange misty grey that's seemed to catch the dim light of the library in a way that almost made it... Metallic and his hair was silver blonde cut in a messy mullet that still managed to look intentionally flawless.

He tilted his head slightly to study Lyra and then smiled.

“My name is Delan Armstrong”

Neither of us answered and he stepped slightly in front of Lyra again which got me alert.

“Funny way to introduce yourself...” I said coldly, “... Hiding behind shelves and scaring people?“

He casually shrugged his shoulders lazily, “You pulled the book” He said, “And I got curious”

His gaze shifted from my face and landed on lyra's wrist, something passing through his eyes.

“Well.. “ he murmured more to himself than us, “Looks like I found where my curiosity was from”

I flexed my muscles unconsciously.

“What do you mean?“

“That scent...“

“What scent?“ Lyra asked as he gestured towards her wrist. “It's caspians isn't it?“

Both of us froze as he pointed at an unrecognizable bracelet, we haven't even noticed on her hand, it was thin purple strand. “The bracelet”

Lyra touched the bracelet immediately, “I don't remember putting this on?“

“How long has that been there?“

“I don't know really”

The guy Delan chuckled as he rocked on his heels, “Well... That explains it”

“And what would that be?“ I asked and he looked at me as if the answer was obvious.

“Where Caspian is”

Silence settled between us as I narrowed my eyes and immediately became protective. “You know Caspian? “

“Know of him”

“That doesn't answer my question”

“Fair enough” he then tilted his head studying us. “I've been looking for him for a while now”

That made my stomach tightened and I said

“Why?“

He smiled, “I'd like to talk to him”

“That's not happening” I said immediately and he laughed heartily.

“I figured you'd say that”

Lyra then stepped forward from behind me and I instantly shot her a look “Lyra—”

“What are you” she asked Delan calmly.

He blinked once and smiled, “Straight to the point, I like that”

He uncrossed his hands, “I'm a dhampir”

My eyes widened as silence engulfed us then I started circling him curiously “Seriously?“

Delan didn't move as I walked around him studying him from head to toe, like a rare specimen.

“Half human” I muttered.

“Correct”

“Half vampire”

“Also correct”

I stopped in front of him again, “That's actually impressive”

He snorted, “Not the word people would normally use”

“No kidding” I said and folded my arms, “You know you're considered an abomination in vampire society right?”

His smiled didn't fade as he said, “If I had a coin for everytime someone said that... I think I'll be rich by now”

“I'm guessing that's why you're here then?“

I continued, “Hiding out in a university”

Delan didn't answer as he just smiled, Lyra watched him for a long moment, not saying anything then she lifted her hand, a faint purple light shot out of her fingers.

I barely had time to register what was happening as her magic filled the air, purple binds held Delan in place like a net, restricting his movement and binding his powers.

He froze immediately but didn't struggle, he looked more surprised than offended.

I blinked and stepped forward, “Uh... Lyra?“

She lowered her hand calmly and said, “You were watching us? The least we could do is bind you so you would not hurt us if you're truly looking for Caspian”

Delan looked surprised for a second before he laughed in amusement.

“No wonder...“ he said between chuckles, “Caspian hasn't returned in a while”

He tilted his head, his grey eyes gleaming.

“There's something far more interesting out here”