When I came to, strips of sunlight beamed between the wooden slats in the pergola’s ceiling. I sat up and rubbed at the knot in my neck. “How long was I out?”
Bryan stretched his long arms to the sky. His fingertips skimmed the vines that hung from the wooden slats. “Less than an hour. You needed the rest.”
I yawned, arching my back. “Probably because I didn’t sleep at all last night.” The images of the shadow terror were gone now, and a strong sense of peace surged through me.
“Maybe I should walk you back to the dorm so you can get some rest.” He helped me up, putting his hand on the small of my back to steady me as we climbed the stairs. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
Even if he proved to be a good pillow, I couldn’t mention the strange visions, let alone misguided foray into darkness. “I think I was just worried about James.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.” Bryan slowed his pace as we neared the girls’ dorm house. “If you want, maybe I can do ask my sister about it. Try to find out what happened to your brother.”
“That would be great. You’d really do that for me?” It finally felt like someone understood my dilemma, at least a little. And to have another person take something off my plate of worries—priceless. Could such a gorgeous guy really have a good heart? That might be too hard to resist.
“Anything for you.” He veered to a path that led to the back door of the dorm.
“Do you mean that?” I gazed up at him until he nodded, but a question lingered in my mind. “Okay, here goes. I was wondering why you freaked out about my ring the other night.”
“Oh, that.” He scratched his chin and wouldn’t meet my eyes. “It’s just an indicator of how important you are. The fact that Will knows it—that’s what made me mad.”
“I see.” I nibbled the inner edge of my lip, willing him to clarify what that meant.
“Don’t you worry about it, that’s my job.” His strong palms rubbed into my shoulders.
At the door, he reached for my hand and pulled me closer. I ran my fingers across his five o’clock shadow, examining that soft expression in his eyes. It melted my insides. With a mind of their own, my toes arched until I stood inches from his face. I tugged on his t-shirt until his lips met mine. When I pulled back, his arm slid around my waist, bringing me in for another quick kiss. Then he dropped his arm and jerked back.
“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked. “Didn’t mean to be presumptuous.”
“Don’t be sorry. It was nice.” I grazed my fingertips across my lips.
“If you’re sure.” His blue eyes burned into mine, searching for something. “Get some rest, Lucy, and be careful. I’ll see you in class tomorrow.” He stumbled backward and cold air filled the space between us.
“Right, can’t wait,” I murmured, unable to look away. Instead I reached back, found the doorknob, and waved goodbye as he walked away. “See you tomorrow.”
I bit into my lip to keep the rest of my thoughts inside. I couldn’t wait to get back into the chapel with the postcard and see if I could find any new clues. Oddly enough, I wanted to tell Bryan the truth. All of it. Lack of sleep could do crazy things to a girl. With Bryan, I forgot to check myself. Things just came naturally with him, easy and uncomplicated. Like freedom for a change. And it felt good.
Chapter 15
Crisp wind blasted my face as I tiptoed out of the dorm at sunrise the next day. The darkness receded as the sky lit up in pastel shades of pink and orange. A chill crept down my neck and I wrapped my soft sweater around me as I hurried down the cobblestone to the chapel. The trees dotting the once-green landscape were now bright hues of red, orange, and gold, another sign October had come to New York.
When I stepped into the chapel foyer, candles in red hurricane globes glittered in the foyer. The arching stone cavern swallowed up all the light from the sunrise outside. Gothic chandeliers hung on wrought-iron chains from the vaulted ceiling. They cast dim circles of yellow around the room.
The morning sun cast stained glass shadows across the ancient wooden pews lined up in the sanctuary. Pulling out the postcard, I examined my brother’s words again.
Wish you were here, lil sis. I found a great church here. I hope you find one, too. I’m not sure what you’d love more, the stained glass windows or the libraries full of old books. Books hold so many secrets, just waiting for you to find them. Don’t worry about me. You just take care of yourself until I see you again. Love, James.
The only things that stood out were “church,” “stained glass,” “libraries,” and “books” which he’d written two times in a row. Did he mean a certain church? Why did it say libraries and not library? Was there a specific book he wanted me to find?
“Ugh!” I let out an exasperated sigh, looking up at the ceiling. Wracking my brain, I tried to remember my conversation with Bryan yesterday—and the memory it triggered. James had holed himself up in this very chapel library. Maybe I needed to go there to figure this out.
“Worth a shot.” I shrugged and shuffled down the hallway. The door to the chapel library was propped open and light spilled into the dim hallway. Yikes. Maybe I wasn’t the only one up at dawn trying to figure things out.
My wedges clicked against the marble tile en route to the library.
The floor creaked as I crossed the threshold.
“Oh, it’s you.” Julia lifted her head from the book she hunkered over at the corner table. Her
