I raced down the steps of the library, tucking the scrolls under my arm. There was no way it was a coincidence that Headmaster Vancejoy wanted to discuss those lists with Agnetha. I had a feeling, deep in my gut, that she had something to do with the attacks in the forest. Proof, that would be something harder to get.
"Oakley, wait up. Where are we going now? We can't let anyone see those scrolls." Coop called from behind me.
Slowly, I turned to face him, and pondered what he'd said. Where could we go? The forest wasn't completely safe right now. Classes would start soon, so campus was a no go. Stress filled my lungs, constricting my air. It felt like there was no where we could go that someone wouldn't lend a prying ear.
"We have two options. Well, one really. We could go back to my house. or we could go back to my dad's temple"
I didn't like either option. His dad's temple involved using a portal, though.
"Your house. What time do Trey and Alex have class?" I asked, dropping my shoulders.
"They have early ones today. Seven a.m." He said with a wink.
Crimson creeped into my cheeks, and I was glad the sun wasn't completely out yet. I gave him a small smile, and gestured for him to lead the way back to his place.
We hadn't made it a block when he spoke up, "You know, we still have to talk." His voice was smooth, and sultry.
I halted my steps, and he collided with my back. My feet stumbled, and I jerked forward.
Coop's arm wrapped itself around my waist, and brought me back into his chest. I fumbled with the scrolls under my arm, and he took them from me, placing them inside his leather jacket.
"I don't think we have the time for that right now, Coop." I replied softly.
He let go of my waist, and took my wrist, gently spinning me to face him. When I looked up at him, he took my chin in his hand. His thumb caressed my jaw, and gave me a soft smile.
"I have all the time in the world for you, little nymph." His voice was husky, and entrancing.
I lowered my eyes, and spotted the scrolls peaking from his jacket. My trance snapped in half, and I shook my irrational thoughts from my brain. I lifted my hand to the silver zipper, and slipped the scrolls from the pocket.
"I agree, talking is in order, but let's just figure this out first. Pretty please?" I batted my lashes at him waving the scrolls in his face.
Coop laughed, and took my free hand. We strode the rest of the way to his house in silence, but a small smile stayed on my lips the whole time.
The sun's shimmering glow painted the sky as we made our way through the front door. No one seemed to be awake, or at the very least, out of their rooms. Coop lifted a finger to his lips, and pointed up the main stairs. I knew where his room was, but I wasn't going to be the one to walk in first.
When I didn't make a move to go up the stairs, he looked at me in question. I merely gestured for him to take the lead, and was met with a dramatic side eye. His heavy boots thudded against the steps, and my whispering feet followed.
Coop's room was still the same, blood red satin lined the king bed, and matching drapes adorned the Victorian windows. I felt different being in here, though. I didn't feel caged, or trapped.
The door clicked behind me, and I spun around to face Coop. He held out one of his hands, and I placed a scroll in the center.
"I'll go over who has access. You go through who has authorization to grow," I said, plopping down on the floor.
I crossed my legs to get more comfortable, and untied the purple string from my list. I scanned it a few times before I heard Coop cough. My eyes met his, and I noticed he was still standing. Picking up the list, I pushed myself off the floor, and looked at him with furrowed brows.
"I have a king sized bed, Oakley. What the fuck are you doing on the floor?" There was confusion laced in his voice, and a playful grin formed on his face.
"I was reading the list? I didn't think we'd be here long..." I trailed off. I didn't know why I sat on the floor, I just did.
"Oakley, it has been a very hectic few days. Classes are starting soon, and I know you like Eldritch, but I think we need to go over these lists, and get some sleep. We still don't know if you fully recovered from the Nightshade, and let's face it, you look drained." His words were sincere, and coated with worry.
The air felt heavy, and I was desperate for it to lighten.
"Wow, way make a girl feel good with words." I joked, elbowing him slightly. I forced a playful smile on my face, and Coop furrowed his brows.
An awkward giggle escaped me, and he took a few steps toward me. A smirk made its way to his lips, and he leaned in.
"I don't need words to make a woman feel good," He whispered against the shell of my ear.
All of the color drained from my face, and heat pooled at the center of my chest. Using my palm, I pushed his chest back a little bit, and looked up at him.
"Friends, Coop, we are friends." I whispered, and took the scroll from his hands, and waved it in his face. He took it from me, frowning.
"We have things to do. Chop, chop, arrow boy," I continued, and flung myself onto his bed, snuggling myself into the soft satin.
The satin was divine, and felt fit for a king. It was hard to focus on the list, because the sheets and sleep were calling out to me. Blinking a few times, I looked at the list again, and focused my attention on the names:
-Access to Deadly Nightshade: Authorized
1. Headmaster Rosia Vancejoy
2. Professor Jonathan Hawkins
3. Professor Helena Eldritch
4. Student Hannah Frey (Advanced Potion: Research team)
5. Student Gareth Walker (Advanced Potion: Research team)
6. Student Brandon Knight (Advanced Potion: Research team)
7. Student Clio Yiorgos (Advanced Potion: Research team)
8. Head of Security: Francis Milnor
Coop sunk into the bed beside me, and I rolled over onto my stomach to further myself from him. The lists weren't long, I could rule Hannah out, and Eldritch, but I couldn't tell who else to scratch from the list. My brain was fried at that point, and maybe talking to the people who had access to grow Deadly Nightshade could help.
I turned my attention to Coop and saw that he had already re-rolled his scroll. I rose an eyebrow at him, and he handed it to me. My list, unrolled, made it to his hand in record time, and without a word I focused my attention to the new list in front of me. When I had it flattened out, there were only two names on it: Eldritch, and Hawkins. A small laugh bubbled from my lips, and I felt Coop's hand rub the back of my head. His touch was soft, tender, and lulled me to sleep instantly.