Chapter 3

LESSIE

The campus library felt different after dark.

I have been here dozens of times during the day, researching papers and hiding from Sandra's endless stream of sorority friends.

But tonight, everything felt different. The towering shelves and shadows of the shelves seemed to move on their own, making every nerve in my body scream danger.

I should have stayed back in my dorm after hearing about the attack.

Some girl was mauled by what campus security was calling "a large dog", though the whisper of the rumour suggested something far more scary and sinister.

But Professor Ravencrest's assignment was a must, I couldn't afford not doing it.

The question: Research the historical significance of lunar cycles in European folklore. Pay particular attention to transformation myths.

Due for submission tomorrow, my heart ran. I knew deep within me that it wasn't just a question, he wanted to know if I was lying about my parents being anthropologists.

The mythology section occupied the library's third floor, accessible only by a narrow staircase that creaked with every single step.

Most students avoid it, claiming it gave them the creeps. Tonight, I understood what they meant.

My footsteps echoed too loudly in the silent library.

I found the book I needed tucked between dusty volumes on medieval superstitions.

Lunar Mythology and Human Transformation by Dr. Mark Jones.

The spine of the book was worn smooth, showing more readers than the circulation card indicated.

"Interesting choice," I tilted my head slightly to a side as I swiftly flipped its pages.

I spun around, my heart pounding faster. A young man emerged from between the stacks, his brown curls catching the overhead light and his hazel eyes warm with genuine friendliness.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." His smile was boyish and disarming.

"Regardless, you still scared the hell out of me." I snapped softly.

"I apologize for that. I'm Ethan Perez, a journalism major like you."

"Lessie Count." I clutched the book against my chest. "And how did you know I am in the journalism department?"

"Everyone saw you in the first class, when you snuck in from behind. Plus, Professor Ravencrest mentioned you in the General Introductory class I happened to attend today."

He moved closer and something about his presence calmed my racing pulse.

“He wouldn't stop talking about you, saying you had particularly insightful perspectives on folklore."

"He talked about me?" Heat flooded my cheeks.

"Don't worry, all good things only." His laugh was easy and comfortable.

"Though, according to the rumors I've heard about him, I didn't expect him to be so... intense about a student."

"What do you mean?" I feigned innocence as though I haven't noticed it also.

"I heard that Professor Ravencrest requested your application be fast tracked into his advanced class. That's so not normal behaviour for him."

The grip on the book tightened. Why would he do that? I'm still in my first year and he wants me to attend his advanced class?

Ethan glanced around the empty stacks, then leaned closer . "Can I give you some advice? Be careful around Professor Ravencrest. There are rumours."

"What kind of rumours?" The curiosity in my voice was undeniable.

"That kind that fragile ladies like you should stay away from."

Before I could ask what he meant, the lights went out.

It wasn't the gradual dimming of a power outage that could have given me time to find my phone, but the sudden, absolute blackout that meant someone had flipped a switch. Complete darkness swallowed us.

"Ethan?" My voice came barely as a whisper, the darkness suddenly plunging me into one of those nightmares that have become my usual sleep routine.

"I'm here," his hand found mine in the darkness, firm and reassuring. "Stay quiet."

Footsteps echoed from the stairwell, slow, almost as if the person was deliberately dragging their feet.

It was the kind of steps that belonged to someone who could see perfectly in the dark.

My senses sharpened and a new scent drifted through the air. It was cold and sharp, like a winter wind carrying the promise of snow.

It was nothing like Professor Ravencrest's warm sandalwood scent.

This smelled like danger and death and my heart raced faster as the steps entered the library.

"She's here," The voice was female, cultured with gha kind of accent that spoke of private school and old money. "I can smell her."

Ethan's grip on my hand tightened. His other hand pressed against my lips, silencing the questions trying to spill out.

"Lessie Count, such a rat, hiding so well in plain sight." The voice grew closer. "Such a pretty name for such a pretty girl. Though I doubt you'll be either much longer."

My blood turned cold and my mind raced with several thoughts.

Whoever was outg there knew my name and had come here specifically for me.

But why me? What does this person want from me?

"The Moon Goddess has such an interesting taste in champions," the voice continued, now close enough that I could hear silk fabric rustling.

“Twenty years old, orphaned and completely unaware of what runs in her veins. Almost too plain and too easy to be suspected."

What runs in my veins? I thought, the question was almost eating me up.

"But don't worry, dear. I'll put your power to much better use than you ever could."

A hand grabbed my shoulder from behind.

I screamed.

The sound echoed through the stacks like a gunshot, and suddenly everything happened at once.

Ethan yanked me sideways, pulling me deeper into the maze of shelves.

Emergency lightning flickered on, casting everything in hellish red, like the blood of my parents that tormented my dreams.

And from somewhere below us came the sound of running footsteps.

Multiple sets of them

"This way!" Ethan dragged me towards a maintenance door I had never noticed before.

His moves were sure and confident, like he had planned this exact escape route.

"How did you..."

"Questions later. Start running!"

We burst through the door into a narrow service corridor. Behind us, I heard the sound of wood splintering.

Like something like claws was tearing through the bookshelves.

"Faster," Ethan urged, his voice urgent and alarming.

We ran down a hallway I didn't know existed, past pipes and electrical panels, towards what I hoped was an exit. My lungs burned, my legs shook but fear kept me moving.

"Ethan," I gasped as we reached a heavy metal door. "What did she mean about power? About the Moon Goddess? Do they really exist?"

He paused with his hand on the door knob, his hazel eyes serious in the red emergency lightning.

"You'll find out soon enough."

The door burst open revealing Professor Ravencrest and Professor Cross.

Their eyes were wild with panic and I could still hear the sound of the car left running behind them. It was as if they came looking for us.

"Thank God," Professor Ravencrest let out a sigh of relief. His amber eyes swept over me, searching for any sign of harm.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was filled with curiosity and concern that matched his eyes as they locked with mine.

"I'm fine, but there was someone upstairs, a woman. She knew my name and knew I was there."

The shared glances between Professor Ravencrest and Professor Cross spoke of something I wasn't privy to.

"We need to get you somewhere safe first," Professor Ravencrest said in a swift voice as his hand instinctively moved to my arm.

"Safe from what?" I demanded, shrugging my arm out of his grip and I took a step back.

“What is happening? Why is that woman looking for me? And what exactly are you protecting me from?"