Page 32 of Nothing to Lose

“I’d say that fucking covers it. No more living for a long time.”

“Done!” We laugh, easily and unrestrained, and I can honestly say that it’s the most fun I’ve had in a really long time.

“Okay, what’s next? We’ve got . . .” Hunter looks at his watch, reading the time. “Two hours and thirty minutes.”

“Next one is easy. Just need to get to the library and get a photo of a book called Liber Corvrum,” I tell him, already moving in the direction of the library. Little does Hunter know that’s exactly the way we’ll be getting into the cemetery anyway. Hunter nods, and we take off, jogging down the steps of Thorne Hall and back through the quad to the Corvus Library.

On the way, we pass by a few of our teammates, Rowan and Cade.

“You know how many we’ve gotten?” Hunter asks.

“Thirteen!”

“Holy shit, we’re gonna win this,” I mumble.

Hunter whoops, throwing a fist in the air. “Make it fourteen, boys! We just got another!”

“Yeah!” Rowan and Cade jog off, and Hunter and I do the same, quickly getting to the library and slowing our steps as we reach the heavy, ornate doors.

“Alright, little brother. You handled the last one, I’m going to get us this one. Stand back and watch how it’s done.” I roll my eyes at Hunter as he straightens his shoulders and walks into the library.

The Corvus Library should be featured in magazines; books should be written about it. It’s a sprawling building with multiple floors, long corridors, bookshelves that rise toward vaulted ceilings, disappearing into darkness beyond the reach of candles. But the library that’s in front of us isn’t the only keeper of information and stories. Buried deep within the pit below us is where I’m taking Hunter after this. The Noctis Archives.

We walk farther into the first room, the only sounds the click-clack of our shoes on marble and the unmistakable sound of pages turning. A large table sits in the front, a cracked teacup sitting beside several open books. The woman behind the table is young and beautiful, her chestnut hair curled and worn half-up. She immediately looks up when she hears us coming, placing her hands on top of the books in front of her as if to keep our wandering eyes from getting a glimpse of her reading choices.

Hunter leans against the table, giving her a smile. “Hi, Miss . . .?”

“Rose.”

“Miss Rose. We’re looking for a very old, very rare book titled Liber Corvorum. I believe that translates to Book of the Raven?”

“I’ve heard of it, yes. But it’s not for viewing or checkout. Tomes like that stay locked up in the preservation chamber.”

Hunter’s face falls, and I have to cover my smirk with my hand. This bastard is so fucking sly I want to punch him.

“I understand your rules, they’re important. It’s just, it’s on my bucket list to see this book and get a photo with it. I just don’t feel like I can graduate without checking off every item. Do you have a bucket list, Rose?”

“I mean, no, I don’t.”

“You should make one. They’re very, very important. Make sure you add things you’ve never tried before and ask for help in those areas when you need it.” The motherfucker actually winks at her. I choke, turning it into a cough and stepping away while I get myself under control. Whatever Hunter says next gets him exactly what he wants. Because next thing I know, she’s nodding for him to follow her. She leads the way, and the moment her back is turned, Hunter faces me, walking backward to stick his tongue out.

I’m gonna kill him.

I wait out front, not wanting to do anything to keep us from getting this. I can’t help the random chuckles that come out of me when I think about the day and how absolutely crazy this all is. Within a few minutes, Hunter returns, giving me that sexy-as-hell smirk that makes me melt.

“Got it. Where to next?”

“You totally flirted with her,” I accuse.

“I did. You jealous, little brother?”

“I don’t get jealous. But it’s cheating.”

I scoff. “Hardly. I asked for help and got it. Now how do we get to the cemetery?”

“You’re a bastard, you know that?” I tell him as I walk toward the back of the library. Eli follows close behind.

“Yeah, but I know you love it.”