Chapter 176

Cassie

We tried not to make it obvious but ten minutes later we had slipped into the library and closed the door behind us

"Well that was easier than I thought it would be." I said breathing heavily as I leant against the door. I didn't know why I was out of breath because we hadn't been running for our lives. Maybe because I had expected at any second to be stopped by some of Scarlett's guards and that had put me on edge.

Only no one stopped us, the few people we had come across had just bowed their head in deference and scurried away.

"Why did you think it would be hard?" Kip asked. There was a new found confidence in him , or maybe it had always been there and I just hadn't noticed it.

Searching the room for him I found him behind the very reading desk that hid the book I so desperately needed. A frown creased my forehead.

How did he known it was there? Or was this just one big coincidence?

Narrowing my eyes at him I saw him swing back on the chair, his feet up on the desk. A wicked glint in his eyes.

I don't know why but it made me angry. "Take your feet from that desk and show your alpha some respect."

I expected him to do it instantly and with a sheepish chagrin look on his face , what I wasn't expecting was the casual way he swung his legs down.

"Whatever you say Cassie."

My lips pulled back in a snarl. I didn't know why he was acting this way, it was so out of character for him. But was it? How much did I really know about the boy I had named my protector?

"Of course your majesty." He bowed his head in deference. But kept looking at me from under his lashes. "It's so strange calling you that." He mumbled.

I did a double take. "What do you mean by that?" I snapped.

"I just meant you told me to call you Cassie. Said that you didn't like titles and now-"

I'd heard enough, stalking towards him I slammed my hands down on the polished surface of the desk. "Enough, if you aren't going to help me then leave. Go back to whatever job Scarlett gave you." I was breathing heavily through my nose. So loud and fast that my chest rattled. "I no longer think this is going to work. I don't want to be around you."

Even saying the words hurt my heart. It was like I was banishing a beloved family member from my life.

For a moment his face fell and then when he looked me straight in my eyes , his eyes were blazing with the first sign of his wolf that I had seen.

Power rippled over my skin. His power. No one so young should have so much.

"Who are you?" I couldn't help it I took a stumbling step backwards. Was Kip my enemy? Had I been so blinded by him that I hadn't seen the snake in our midsts?

"I am your friend Cassie. Always your friend and your protector. Think of me as a little brother. You do,don't you?" He cocked his head to the side and studied me for a few seconds before nodding. Dropping his hands to the desk he began to run his fingers over it.

"There is no catch or-"

"You are so blind sometimes Cassie." He said with a shake of his head. "I've always thought so,"

He had always thought so? I frowned. What the hell did that mean. Before I could ask him he let out a small grunt of triumph.

I heard the small drawer spring free rather than saw it.

Rushing forward I leant over the desk as he drew the small red leather bound book out and held it in his hands.

"This is what you are looking for isn't it?"

I nodded silently. Holding out my hands.

Kip shook his head.

"Kip give me the book." I ordered when he didn't move.

"Cassie please." The words came out of his mouth but seemed to come from so far away.

"What?" I blinked. "What did you say?" Nerves made my voice wobble.

Kip blinked at me in confusion. "I didn't say anything. I just asked why the book is so important?"

Readily he handed it over, like he hadn't been refusing just seconds before.

The book was heavy in my hand. Much to heavy for such a small thing and I let it slip through my fingers onto the desk with a thud.

"How did you know it was there Kip?" I asked staring between the book and him.

"You told me." He said quickly and I shook my head. I seemed to be in a permanent state of confusion but I knew I hadn't. I knew that much.

"No I didn't."

He gave a narrow shouldered shrug. "Maybe not. Maybe I'm just good at seeing hidden things. Mam always said I was excellent at finding hidden trouble wasn't she?"

"I don't know, I don't know your mother?"

"Are you sure about that? Really Cassie come on. It's time to wake up and face the truth that's right in front of your face."

Kips' visage seemed to flicker, like a candle flickering in the wind.  I blinked and he was solid again.

Reaching up I massaged my temples where a headache was beginning to take a hold.

"Mam always said you liked to bury your head in the sand." He chuckled. "It's time to wake up Cassie." He pushed the book forward towards me. "Take it your highness, take it." He edged it closer with the tips of his fingers. "This is what you wanted wasn't it? This is what you think will make this all better? You say you are ready for their to be no more secrets. That you are ready to know who the enemy is. But you can't even bring yourself to touch it, can you?"

"Don't you ever dare to talk to me like that ever again Kip" I growled out. I didn't know what was wrong with him and with everyone in this goddess damned place but I was fed up of it.

"Then look at the book you were so desperate to get Cassie. Look at it and see what is right in front of your face."

I didn't want to. He was right about that. I had been so desperate to find it but now it was right in front of me and I couldn't bring myself to look at it.

I screwed up my eyes.

"Open your eyes Cassie."

My eyes flew open and straight down to the book.

On the worn red leather was one word. Embossed in gold.

Just one.

And it made my blood run cold.