SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW ➻ DEMETRI VOLTURI

U N D I C I

It was already dark outside when they returned from the library and the corridors were only lit by torches. She knew it didn't matter for Alec, he would still see everything perfectly fine in the dark, but she would have preferred some more light. She also would prefer Alec carrying the stack of thick old books, instead of her suffering under the weight, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction just yet.

Though Alec hadn't taken her outside of the castle, he had shown her the library, which she probably liked better anyway. She spent hours in there and if it hadn't been for a certain vampire constantly nagging, she was positive she would've spent the entire night in the place. The shelves were stacked bottom to top with all kinds of books, the ceilings over fifteen feet tall and completely made from marble, just like the floor and the pillars. It was like walking in a dream come true and the best part was, for the coming twenty-seven days she had unlimited access to it.

"Alec," she said after a couple of feet, her eyes directed at the stairs they were nearing. She sounded out of breath, and well, she was completely out of breath. "Could you please carry these books?"

"All you had to do was ask," Alec replied, easily lifting the weight out of her arms and carrying like it weighed absolutely nothing. "It surprises me you've made it this far at all."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," she said. She collected all her hair and tied it together in a messy bun, following Alec in silence. Throughout the day she'd learned pretty fast that although the vampire might have scared her half to death only two days earlier, Alec was really just a child who enjoyed annoying her. As soon as she'd stopped taking him and his threats seriously, her fear had disappeared as well.

When they finally got to Demetri's room, she was surprised to see the said vampire already seated in front of the fireplace, an old Greek book in his hands. He looked up immediately, a polite smile covering his handsome face. Cecilia was surprised to find herself glad that he was back, but she guessed that that was mostly due to the fact that Alec would leave finally.

"I see you found the library," Demetri said, eyeing the stack of books Alec had placed on the desk.

"She didn't find anything," Alec said mockingly.

Cecilia rolled her eyes, taking a seat on the other sofa. "Why do you have to be so mean all the time?"

"It's just the truth," Alec said, shrugging. He gave Demetri a single nod and disappeared out of the room next, leaving the two of them alone again.

"Did you amuse yourself today?" Demetri asked. Though he was polite, the way he always appeared to be, she couldn't help but notice the look of genuine interest on his face, like he really cared for her answer.

She swung her legs on the sofa and lowered her head on a cushion, letting out a loud sigh as she folded her hands over her stomach. "I amused myself, but I probably amused Alec more," she said. She turned her head, staring lazily at Demetri across her. Their eyes met and she couldn't help but be amazed by how much her life had flipped in the last couple of days. Somehow, she didn't find herself wishing it hadn't.

They stared at each other in silence. She took in the features of his face, his sharp jawline, well-defined cheekbones and the way his burgundy eyes roamed over her as well. She'd met many vampires, all of them equally beautiful, but she found Demetri mesmerising. She wondered what he saw when he looked at her, whether he thought of her as a liability or if he really did find her fascinating as Alec had said. It made her head spin in a way it never had before. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she turned her head so that her eyes were facing the ceiling, closing them and breaking the magic.

She cleared her throat softly. "How was your day?" she asked. "Alec said you and Felix had some job."

"There were some ruthless newborns in Rome that needed taking care of," Demetri said. His voice was melodic and smooth. "It was a job quickly finished."