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loved walking into the library first thing in the morning. The quiet calm and soothing, like a breath of fresh air. Then the lights flicker on, illuminating all the books. All those words sitting unread just begging to be absorbed. It's always felt like a place on the edge of opportunity.
    This morning though, my solitude was interrupted by the presence of Jake. And he was a presence...of something. I wasn't quite sure of what yet. The way he walked around the place as if it were a museum made me laugh. "What? Is this the longest you've ever been in a library?"
    "Ha. Ha."
    "I can't say I remember Damen ever calling you up and saying, 'Hey, let's go read some books.'"
    He chuckled. "No. That wasn't our thing, was it? But you're wrong, I have actually been in a library for longer than oh, the thirty seconds I've been in yours."
    I cocked an eyebrow at him.
    He leaned against the reference desk and smiled, his eyes affixed on the librarian nameplate on my desk. "When I was studying to be an Elite. You would think that being broken in by Salem would help--and it did--but not as much as you might think. The Elite test is killer."
    Despite where my thoughts led me to this morning, I liked having a foot in both the human and the magical world. It gave me some resemblance of a normal life. Looking at Jake, who whirled around when a group of kids came in for story time, I wasn't so sure he could say the same.
    Since he got here, he seemed on edge all the time. He practically launched himself out of the car yesterday when we saw that fae running wild. I barely even registered the supernatural aspect and he was already chasing the guy down. Reflexes like that meant you were aware twenty-four seven. Suddenly, I was grateful that the Salem ley line was usually quiet. As much as I liked to let some steam off by hunting down some rabid paranormals, I didn't think I'd want to live, eat, and breathe it.
    Maryanne Coventry, a forty-something housewife and a library regular, walked by and almost ran into the new book display when she couldn't tear her eyes off Jake. I nodded toward a chair in the corner. "Sit down. You're making people crazy."
    He pointed at his chest as if to ask, Who? Me?
    I nodded and then gestured toward Mrs. Coventry who stared at him over the DVD racks. He did as I told, but put a little too much swagger in his step than I thought was warranted for a glance by a woman known to take out knitting magazines. She probably just melted right there where she stood. I'd have to get Earl, the early morning housekeeper, to come in and clean the place up.
    "On second thought, why don't you look around? In the back. Preferably behind some stacks where no one can see you."
    "What?" he whispered loudly.
    "You look out of place. Go...do something."
    He shook his head all the way to the stairs where as far as I could see, he did follow my advice and go to the back. Now I'd have to keep an eye on Mrs. Coventry to make sure she didn't follow after and try to join the "Ask Einstein Club", the equivalent of the Mile High Club for libraries.
    I whirled after someone tapped me hard on the shoulder. I jumped at how close the fae from the other day stood next to me. "What are you doing here?"
    Ignoring me, he pointed toward the stairs. "Is he your boyfriend?"
    "What?"
    "Elitey-poo who just stalked to the back like you kicked his kitty. Is he your boyfriend?"
    My god. What is happening? Could this world be going any more topsy-turvy?
    Why I actually answered his question, I didn't know. "No. He's not."
    A singsong voice called out behind me. "Oh, Cassandra." Mrs. Coventry walked toward me, turning toward the back of the library every few seconds. "Who is that handsome man?"
    I shrugged. "An old childhood friend."
    The fae made a noise of disgust and I shot him a glare.
    Mrs. Coventry smiled. "I'd be acting funny too if I had a guy like that who was just a friend."
    I peered over my shoulder at the fae. He chuckled to himself. "Yep. I'm