I’ve collected a lot of my favorite books over the years, storing them between the wooden shelves, ordering extra copies in the Library so I can keep them. Perks of being a Librarian.

Just as I’m turning into my room, Isaac walks out of the room that holds the Autarium.

He looks around, startled by my arrival.

Isaac is like a brother. Isaiah and him the closest thing to a family I’ve ever had.

Just a year older than me and two inches taller, with his black hair and almost obsidian eyes, we didn’t look a thing like each other.

He’s also the Library's Guard, a protector of the Library if you will. He’s basically my second-in-command and keeps the Library and me protected from outside threats.

“Is everything okay with the Autarium?” I question, peering over his shoulder to the room.

He pauses. “No, it's fine. I just heard a strange noise and wanted to make sure nothing crept up here. I thought a pigeon or rat might have gotten in through the roof again.”

He looks back toward the door and then at me. “But there was nothing there.”

He shrugs, then turns and passes me, heading down the stairs.

Just as his back disappears, I remember the conversation I had with Mirin.

“Isaac. Wait.” He pauses on his way down the stairs and turns to me.

“Would you be able to watch the Library tonight for me…so I can go out with Mirin?” Isaac’s eyebrows go skyward, and a slow tilt appears on his lips.

My eyes narrow toward him, annoyance spreading through me with his widened stare.

“Don’t give me that look, Isaac,” I grouse.

“I go out. I just choose not to do it often.”

He gives me a smug look. If the glare I give him could kill, he’d be painfully gone by now.

“Who really needs real people,” I gripe. “People in books are far more interesting. You're the same as me, if not worse. The most outside interaction you get is seeing people pass by the bay window while you read there all day.”

Isaac, over here, would consume books like he breathes. He was beyond brilliant. Whether it was his abilities, his IQ, or his understanding and use of magic, he was exceptional in it all.

But even with all this, his status as a Necromancer had him despised and looked down on in the supernatural communities. Fools.

“You’re just—”

“What's the outer world visit for then, Rhys?” He grins, cutting me off.

“At night, with sex-crazed Mirin…" he teases, his smile growing into a knowing smug smirk.

I sigh and roll my eyes as Isaac chuckles.

“It's fine, Rhys. Everyone has needs, right?” he continues to jeer.

“With the drop of female supes in recent years, you can have your pick. Just don't come back with anything too crazy…again.” He chuckles, looking at the dents permanently fixed to my bedroom door.

“That was one time, and how was I supposed to know those twins were incubus hybrids.”