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8. Lady in the Night
🕑 Added 2023-12-08 17:00:04 +0000 UTCWandering the library, Oz ferried the books he’d pulled from the shelf back to the desk, wielding a broom and a sack in his other hand. As he picked up the books, he brushed the dead worms, eggs, and moths into the sack, steadily filling it with mushy bug corpses. Better get them all up before they start rotting. I don’t want the library to smell like dead moth.
He moved alone, his footsteps the only sound breaking the library’s silence. Aisling had left long ago, with the promise to return soon with food. He read the manuals he’d scanned earlier as he walked, quietly absorbing qi as he read.
Pausing for a moment, Oz gazed out a nearby window. The sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the aisle in golden light. Even as he watched, the sun dropped below the cluttered tenement buildings and distant spires, vanishing into darkness. I get the feeling that her ‘soon’ and my ‘soon’ are out of sync.
Oh, well. Beggars can’t be choosers, and I have the fasting pills, after all. Even if it takes her all week, I’ll be fine. Turning back to the task at hand, he swept a clump of green worms into the sack.
A chirp. He turned back. Sid stood on a nearby shelf, tilting her head as she watched him, pupils tiny. Setting the brush aside for a moment, he tossed a moth at her, and she jumped after it, grabbing it with both front paws in midair.
Oz chuckled. He reached own and rubbed Sid’s ears. Ignoring him, she dug into the moth.
“Do they taste good?” he asked.
Sid purred.
“I’ll take your word for it.” Oz reached for the broom again.
Tap-tap-tap.
Halfway to the broom, Oz paused. He looked over. The door? Again? Turning, he peered at the library’s distant cathedral-like windows. Instead of the usual dim sunlight that lingered, golden, on swirling dust motes, black night and pale moonlight streamed through. Who is it, at this time of night?
He hesitated, then snatched the broom up decisively and wielded the sack in his other hand. I’ll stay inside the barrier. Even if they mean ill, they can’t harm me as long as I stay inside the barrier.
Trilling, Sid followed after him, her pads pat-patting over the marble floor.
“That door has to be magical, right?” Oz remarked to Sid. “I can hear it from anywhere in the library, regardless of how loud they knock. Maybe it’s enchanted.” Yet another thing to look into. My endless list of research only grows!
In a way, that’s a form of happiness. Always more to learn, and I’m surrounded by knowledge. If only this world had tea, or coffee, and I could relax in a cozy chair by the window sipping a nice hot cup while rain taps against the glass, idly reading a good book…
Wait, does this world have tea or coffee? I’ve never asked.
Add it to the list!
Putting the broom and the bag in one hand, Oz pulled the door open a few inches and peeked out. “Hello?”
A beautiful woman with red hair and pale, pale skin stood before him. Eyes lowered, she slowly peered up from under long, pale lashes, her face as ethereal as a fairy’s. Layers of gauzy pink chiffon cloaked her form, while still providing a hint at the curves and soft flesh beneath. Thick perfume washed over Oz, enough to leave him reeling. Phew. She loves her florals, doesn’t she?
In his mind’s eye, Oz compared the translucent dress before him with Aisling’s practical tunic dress and easy-to-move-in leggings. I guess fashion encompasses a wide range, even in this world.
In his mind, Aisling wore the chiffon dress, the lightweight fabric flowing around her muscular form. She smiled at him and twirled, so the thin fabric showed all her best angles.
A moment later, he shook his head, hard. What the hell am I doing? Now isn’t the time for that.
Turning back to the lady before him, Oz cleared his throat. “Can I help you?”
The vision in pink moved closer, raising her arms in such a way that her chest shifted in an eye-drawing manner. Harrumphing cutely, she flicked glacier-blue eyes up at him. “Aren’t you going to let me in? It’s cold out here.”
Oz looked around at the early-fall weather. Not that cold. Actually, it’s getting warm in here. Is it just me? He pulled idly at his collar. “Should have brought a coat.”
Pursing pink lips, she shook her head at him. One slender finger poked out, pushing at the barrier. Gold light lit up, preventing her from touching Oz. Coyly, she murmured, “Playing hard to get? Come on, there’s no need for that. Don’t you need a little extra help tonight?”
Two and two finally clicked in Oz’s head. “Linnea?”
“Yes?” she purred. Her eyelashes fluttered. The wind pulled the pink fabric, revealing her assets in finer detail, and Oz’s eyes wandered. A warm, pink light seemed to suffuse Linnea’s body. Floral perfume filled his nose, and he breathed deep.
He opened the door a little wider and leaned against the doorframe, forcing himself to look away. I’m not Ossian. It would be incredibly immoral for me to continue his relationship with a girl I don’t know at all. From her perspective, after all, I’m a stranger who replaced her boyfriend without her knowledge or consent. That’s top-tier ick.
Decisively, he waved his hand. “I’ve had enough. We’re over.”
Linnea stood on her tiptoes, squinting past him. Her eyes widened. A beat later, she looked at him, expression blank. As the words finally struck, her brows furrowed. “We’re… what?”
Why is she so cute even when she’s angry?
Oz squinted. Huh? I never find anger cute. Why am I thinking that? He rubbed his forehead, thoughts coming slow. His eyes kept wandering back to Linnea.
Noticing, she pursed her lips and leaned in. Sapphire eyes flicked to his, warming with the light of the library. “You didn’t mean it, did you?”
Focus. She isn’t your girlfriend. It isn’t right. He shook his head. “You heard me. We’re over. From this moment, consider us strangers.”
“What? Why?” she demanded, putting her hands on her hips. Sex-kitten act forgotten, she drew herself up to her full height and squared her shoulders, giving him a death glare to match any high school teacher’s.
Yeah, that’s more like it. Oz shrugged. “I got bored.”
“Bored? With me?” Linnea looked down on him, an impressive feat, given her diminutive height. She snorted derisively.
“Books before hook…” Er. Shouldn’t say that. “The point is, I’m done. I need to focus on magic.”
“You don’t get to say we’re done!” Linnea snapped. She stomped up the stairs, glaring at Oz, and hooked a finger at him. His mind grew fuzzier. Pink light glimmered in his vision.
Something’s wrong. I can’t think.
The barrier lit up. Her forehead smashed into gold light. Linnea staggered back, swaying backward over the steps.
“Watch out!” Oz reached for her.
Before he could touch her, Sid leaped up onto his shoulder, hissing. Oz jerked back. Shit! If I lunge, Sid falls off my shoulder!
Linnea stumbled to the base of the stairs, recovering her balance at the last second. She glared at Oz. “Abandoning a lady?”
Looking at the cat, Oz frowned. She’s a smart cat. She did that for a reason. “Sid, why?”
Glaring at Linnea, Sid hissed with all her might, spitting, her hair on end. Her nose wrinkled, and she shook her head.
Oz sniffed. The perfume filled his nose, suddenly cloyingly sweet. As he breathed, his brain fogged, and the pink returned to his vision. Before him, Linnea blinked. She looked at him again, her eyes dripping sadness and allure. Her hurt expression pierced his heart. Why did I—
Holy shit, hold up. These aren’t my thoughts. I breathe the perfume, and everything gets all pink? That’s suspicious as hell. He turned his vision inward. His core appeared. A few motes of blue light circulated there, but more of it stirred, mixing with a pink aura to travel down, away from his core and toward unspeakable regions.
That’s not good. What the hell? Is that perfume of hers some kind of magical aphrodisiac? Is she walking around with that stuff on? Is that safe?
Oz shook his head, breaking free of the pink aura again. No, that’s not the question I should be asking. Why is she using it on me? She’s deliberately trying to mind-control me with aphrodisiac. Forget what I said before. This is the ultimate ick.
No wonder I was thinking strange things about Aisling. It wasn’t my fault. It was that weird perfume she’s wearing! He put a hand on Sid. “Thanks, girl.”
Sid continued to hiss, mindless of Oz’s comforting hand. Her eyes locked onto Linnea. Hatred burned in their depths.
Even so, Oz gripped the door tight. His hand refused to let go. He glared at it. Come on. Close the door. Don’t give in to her ick!
“You can’t reject me. Let me in,” Linnea demanded, narrowing her eyes.
Oz clicked his tongue. Backing away, he began to shut the door. “I don’t think so. Hey! Stop harassing good disciples like me, got it?”
“Harass—” Linnea’s eyes widened. She heaved a deep breath, her chest rising and falling in a distracting manner.
Refusing to let the pink draw his eyes back to her chest, Oz gestured around them. “What do you call this? Knocking on doors after hours? Demanding to be let in? Screaming at me? It’s night-time. Show some respect to the neighbors.”
Linnea turned instinctively at his gesture. Without her eyes on him, the compulsion to remain in her presence faded. Instantly, Oz slammed the door shut.
“Hey! Hey!” Linnea slammed on the door.
Oz walked away, leaving her out in the cold. He ran his hands over his upper arms, suppressing a shiver. Damn. I have to be careful. As weak as I am now, if that perfume had successfully lured me outside, she would have had me at her mercy. Whether she wanted me dead, or merely braindead, I would have been helpless to resist.
Hopping down from his shoulder, Sid circled back to hiss at the door a few more times. Oz snorted. “You really hate her, huh?”
At that, Sid sat upright. She curled her tail around her paws and looked up at Oz, making direct eye contact.
“What?” Oz asked.
Without another word, Sid stood and slunk off.
I’ll be honest, that whole scenario was suspicious as hell. A girl that hot demanding to be let in, refusing to let mediocre me break up with her? Even if Oz is attractive and owns a large amount of property, I— Oz put his face in his hands. Never mind. I totally understand. Attractive, has a house, no debt, yeah. I get it. I’m the whole package.
Something’s still off, though. I’m not sure what, but something isn’t adding up. He rubbed the back of his neck and lifted the broom, returning to brushing the moths away. Oh well. I’ll figure it out eventually.
“You’ll come screaming for me soon enough!” Linnea shouted at the door.
“Seriously, what is with people in this world and shouting at doors? Is it a popular hobby?” Oz asked, shaking his head at Sid.
Sid chirped, tapping her tail on the floor.
A deep cry rumbled through the stacks. Heavy footsteps thudded out, one after another.
Oz looked up, eyes wide. Beside him, Sid did the same. What was that?
Closer and closer. Oz looked around, then snatched up Gossip and brandished it at the stacks. It’s thick enough to do real damage, and I already read it. It’s the perfect weapon!
The footsteps echoed through the halls, one after another, so fast one echoed into the next. Sid stepped up beside Oz, her eyes big. Oz nodded at her. “Here we go.”
The monster rounded the corner. Thick green flesh. Black beady eyes. Shiny mandibles, working nonstop, chewing the air as it walked. An enormous green caterpillar, easily ten feet long, pattered its way toward Oz on its stubby little legs.
Oz stood up to his full height, tilting his head to get a better look at it. It’s actually kind of cute?
The caterpillar caught sight of him and roared. A wave blasted from its mouth, pushing Oz back, and thick strings of saliva flew out with it. Where the saliva struck the floor, it hissed. Dark smoke wafted up. The marble turned ashen gray.
I take it back! Oz lifted the book again.
“Ossian? Ossian, I heard that! Do you need help? I’m sorry. Let me in! I’ll save you!” Linnea called, her voice suddenly sweet.
Is this her plan? Trap me in here with the caterpillars, and give me no choice but to let her in? Oz’s brows furrowed. Does that mean that she’s the one who got Roan to leave the chrysalis in the library? If that’s true, she’s been planning this for a long time.
The caterpillar darted at Oz, charging straight ahead, its jaws working. Oz jumped to the side, dodging the blow. Its mouth struck marble instead. Cracking and snapping sounds rang out as it burrowed into the marble.
“Are you kidding me?” Oz muttered. Those jaws are powerful!
Lifting its head, the caterpillar stared at Oz again. It looped around, turning its tubular body back on itself. Scooting its rear legs forward, it built up a loop of body between its front and rear legs.
It doesn’t telegraph its attacks, it snail-mails them. Lucky for me, I’ve played a few fighter games in my day. Oz lifted Gossip, waiting.
The caterpillar lunged, spittle flying. Oz waited, watching as its jaws hurtled toward his skull.
Now!
He stepped aside. The caterpillar rushed past. As it did, he slammed Gossip down on its fleshy neck.
Caterpillar flesh ruptured, spilling thick, green goo. The caterpillar roared in agony. It looped back on itself, hurtling its churning mandibles at Oz’s body.
Oz sidestepped again. The caterpillar whooshed past and smashed its face into the floor. Lifting the tome high, Oz gave it another hefty dose of Gossip. Green goo splattered, hissing where it struck Gossip and Oz’s robes.
The caterpillar let out a last wail and fell limply to the ground.
Shaking the goo off his robes, Oz made a face. Gross.
“Ossian!”
He faced the door. In a sing-song, he called, “Honey, I killed it! You can go home, now!”
Silence.
“You… what?” Linnea demanded disbelievingly.
“Are your ears damaged? You keep asking me to repeat myself.”
“Oz, what’s happening? Why’s Linnea here?” Aisling called.
“Aisling?” Why’s everyone visiting at midnight? Oz turned to the door.
Tmp-tmp-tmp. Quick, heavy footsteps rattled over the marble.
Sid arched her back, hissing viciously behind Oz.
He peeked back.
Ten fat caterpillars hurtled toward him from the most thickly infested corner of the library, all of them chewing hungrily at nothing. Spittle flew from their jaws, speckling the floor and each other. Their beady black eyes locked onto him, and they hurtled forward even faster than the first. Stubby claw-legs thrust at the floor, the shelves, whatever came closest, the caterpillars tumbling over one another in their eagerness to reach Oz. One threw its fat body over the desk, knocking the notes to the floor in a flurry of paper snow.
Shit! Oz jumped for the door. “Aisling!”
She gave Oz a confused look. Adjusting a huge sack slung over one shoulder, she squinted past him. “What’s happening?”
“Giant caterpillars,” Oz said, pointing over his shoulder. “Wanna help?”
“Let me help,” Linnea trilled, stepping forward.
Oz shot Aisling a look. I’m inviting you, not her. Please?
Aisling glanced at Linnea, then Oz, then nodded. Shoving her sack at Oz, she stepped into the library.
Oz caught the bag and almost staggered backward under the weight. His eyes widened, his arms straining, stomach muscles fully engaged. Holy shit, that’s heavy! What’s in here, a whole cow? How was she holding that effortlessly?
Or was Ossian just that weak?
He peered at his muscles. While not impressive, they still bulged a little, not so diminished as to be embarrassing. He let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Linnea rushed in after her. Sparking with golden light, the barrier repelled her for the second time that night. She stumbled back, holding her forehead. “Why?”
Oz shook his head. “I didn’t invite you. Wait your turn.”
Steaming, Linnea glared at him. “You—”
He shut the door.
Incoherent screaming sounded from outside. Inside, Oz set Aisling’s bag down with a thump just inside the door. He turned to find Aisling bouncing in place. She rolled out her shoulders and swung her arms, cracking her neck just once.
Their feet pattering over the marble, dead black eyes glimmering with hate, the caterpillars closed in. Oz backed toward the door. He glanced at Aisling. “You, uh, you got this?”
“They aren’t even first-tier beasts.” Aisling rolled up her sleeves. One hand at a time, she cracked her knuckles. “Someone like you beat one. I’ll be fine.”
“Ouch…” Oz muttered. He glanced at Gossip. A clump of green goo hissed as it ate into its surface. Startled, he brushed the goo off its cover, then shook his hand as the acid stung his skin. I did beat one to death with a book, after all. They aren’t much more than glorified bugs.
Green flesh loomed. A caterpillar darted toward Oz, mandibles working. Aisling pushed him back. The caterpillar struck the marble and bounced off, sending chips of stone flying at Aisling.
Oz ducked back, dodging the chips. Except for the part where one bite would obliterate me!
Stepping forward, Aisling lifted her fist.
Wide-eyed, Oz jumped forward, reaching out to grab her. “Wait, you’re attacking them bare-fisted? They’re acidic! They spit acid! Their blood is—”
She breathed out. Her breath fogged on the air. Her skin burned, lit from within, eyes faintly glowing. “Many thanks for the warning.”
Her next step touched down, gentle as a butterfly alighting. Aisling vanished. A blur of orange and steam leaped forth. One after another, the caterpillars burst apart, exploding into fragments of green flesh. Goo splashed down long after the orange blur moved on to the next, eating into nothing but the floor.
Oz stared, mesmerized, hands slowly lowering as he forgot even attempting to hold her back. Beautiful.
I really am in a world of magic.
Aisling landed beside him. For a moment, heat burned against his skin. The light faded from her body, and as it did, the heat faded. She let one long breath out, the air spooling out like a cloud, and opened her eyes. “I suppose Roan missed a few?”
“I think we need to double-check his work a little closer,” Oz muttered darkly. Not that I trusted him, but he must have conveniently ‘missed’ a few worms earlier. Guess that’s the last chance Roan gets.
“Shall we do it now, before more erupt?” Aisling suggested.
Oz nodded. “Good call.”
He glanced over his shoulder. Linnea’s timing is incredibly suspect. Arrived just in time for the caterpillars, and that perfume… She’s way too eager to get inside the library. It’s all circumstantial evidence, but it’s piling up.
Someone encouraged Ossian to summon me, if not outright forced him. Right now, Linnea’s suspect number one.
Leaving the bag by the door, Aisling headed toward the most infected corner of the library. Oz followed, peeking around her shoulder. They turned the corner to the aisle.
The vase he’d stored the caterpillars in earlier laid shattered on the floor. A few normal-sized caterpillars crawled around on the floor, scooting their fat bodies over the porcelain shards.
Oz licked his lips. On second thought, maybe Roan should get one more chance…
“Roan put some caterpillars in a trapping vase? But why? His pressure couldn’t reach inside, but… if he was going to fake it, why not just leave a few untouched? There’s no need to find a trapping vase. After all, trapping vases are usually used to store captured fey creatures… how odd,” Aisling murmured aloud.
Oz cleared his throat. Trapping vase? Interesting. “Let’s not worry about that. For now, let’s clean up the caterpillars before—”
The caterpillars rounded on him. They reared up, questing around with their faces as though sniffing at the air. Furrowing his brows, Oz sniffed as well. A floral scent swirled in his nose.
His eyes widened. Linnea’s perfume. It’s still on me! Is it triggering the caterpillars? That cocoon is looking more like her fault with every passing moment.
Roan’s in love with her. If she promised him a slot in her sect… Oz put a hand on his chin thoughtfully. Is this all part of the grand plan that involved summoning me into Oz’s body? Or is it just coincidence?
The real problem is that everyone wants a slice of the library. I can’t assume that any attempt to get access to the library is related to my arrival here.
As he thought to himself, the caterpillars’ fat bodies trembled, then bulged. Their flesh swelled, and they burst up in size.
Oz jumped forward, stomping the nearest ones. “Quick! Before they transform!”
Aisling nodded, joining him as he squashed caterpillars. In a few moments, only green smudges remained on the floor.
Aisling breathed out. She nodded at Oz. “I brought food.”
“Oh. Yes. The bag.” Oz glanced over his shoulder at the bulging sack, then looked at Aisling. “It’s midnight, though.”
She frowned at him, going to pick it up. “Don’t you grow hungrier over time?”
“Yes, but I usually go to sleep around now. I’m not really hungry. I was about to sleep,” Oz explained, shrugging.
“Sleep,” Aisling murmured to herself.
Oz cleared his throat. “Yes…?”
“I forgot that mortals need to sleep,” she said, scratching the back of her neck. She gave him an embarrassed grin.
“Eh? You don’t need to sleep?” Oz asked, surprised.
“No?” Aisling said, frowning a little at him.
“Oh, of course not, of course not. Haha. I didn’t know you were already so skilled,” Oz said, laughing awkwardly. That was too much knowledge to lack, huh?
Aisling stepped back. “Should I come back later? I didn’t mean to interfere with your mortal bodily functions.”
Oz winced. Did you have to put it like that? “No, no, er… well, yes. That would be convenient.” But on the other hand, if Linnea is evil, or gets backup, or tries something else, I’m in danger. I could probably have taken the caterpillars, but what if she has something more dangerous up her sleeve?
His eyes lit up. “Oh! Aisling, would you mind waiting here until morning, if I have a place for you to train?”
“If there’s enough space.” She gave the books and the cluttered aisles a significant look.
“Don’t worry about that.” Oz gestured her on.
Hesitant, Aisling paused a moment, then followed after him.
Now familiar with the route, Oz led her confidently through the library. Sid appeared with a chirp, pacing alongside him up on the upper shelves. Oz glanced up at her. She swished a orange-spotted tail at him.
“I swear you’re changing colors,” Oz muttered.
“She is,” Aisling commented.
“Oh?” Oz glanced back.
Aisling nodded. “She’s a low-realm fey creature known as a Many-Coated Cat.”
“Low… realm?” Oz queried.
“Low level,” Aisling tried. She paused, thinking for a moment. “She doesn’t have high cultivation.”
Oz nodded. Mentally, he flicked through the bestiary. He’d read his fair share of fairy tales in his day, but not this world’s fairy tales. Worth a check.
The words appeared in his head. Fey. Magical beings of generally neutral or positive intent. Fey may play tricks, but they rarely intend to harm, unlike demons.
Oz flipped the pages in the opposite direction, back toward ‘D.’
Demons. Magical beings of generally neutral or evil intent. At best, demons are wild animals, and ought to be treated with respect and caution. At worst, they may deliberately harm or attack humans.
One last time, he paged forward through the book.
Many-Coated Cat. A low-level fey creature. Minor shapeshifter that can take on the appearance and, at higher levels, form of every kind of cat. Lesser Many-Coated Cats can only change their pelts.
Oz nodded, grateful he’d scanned the book. That came in handy.
“Did… did your Master… that is, Madame Saoirse…” Aisling hesitated again, uncertain.
“Did she…?” Oz asked, half-distracted.
“Did she totally neglect you?”
Oz jolted to a halt. He looked at Aisling, then laughed. Shaking his head, he sped up. How am I supposed to explain the truth? Let’s just leave it at that.
Hurrying down the aisle, he turned left and right, then hurried to the door ahead of him. As Aisling came around the corner, he grabbed the handle, grinning back at her. He threw the door open. “What do you think?”
Aisling gasped. Her eyes widened. “That—no.”
Oz tensed. What? Is something wrong? He looked over his shoulder at the rolling plains of golden grass, then back at Aisling. I don’t see anything wrong…?
