Mathew lay in bed, his sheets tangled around him as if they were chains keeping him bound to the restless night. He turned to one side, then the other, his mind refusing to quiet. Each time he closed his eyes, Belial's towering form haunted the darkness behind his lids. At one point, he bolted upright, sweat clinging to his brow as he swore he saw the demon prince standing by the window, his shadowy wings casting an ominous silhouette against the wall.
But when he blinked, it was only the curtain, swaying gently in the breeze.
Frustration welled within him, and he pushed the covers aside, his bare feet meeting the cold wooden floor. Sleep was a futile endeavor tonight. His mind demanded answers, and there was only one place he could think to start.
Quietly, he dressed and slipped down the grand staircase of the mansion, his footsteps muffled by the ornate carpet. The house was silent, save for the occasional creak of the old walls. He reached the doorway, intending to leave unnoticed, but as he opened the heavy front door, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
"Where are you headed at this hour, sir?"
Mathew jumped slightly, his hand reflexively moving to his chest. "Calum," he muttered, exhaling sharply. "What are you doing up?"
Calum, the ever-dutiful driver, stood with his arms crossed. His dark coat and hat made him blend into the shadows, but his sharp blue eyes were unmistakable. "The better question is, what are *you* doing sneaking out like a thief in the night?"
"I need to visit the old library by the river," Mathew replied, straightening his posture.
Calum raised an eyebrow. "At this hour? Alone?" He shook his head. "No chance. If you're going, I'm coming with you."
Mathew opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself. Calum was stubborn—an unwavering trait he'd inherited from his father, the family's previous driver. There was no point in arguing.
"Fine," Mathew said with a sigh. "Let's go."
The two men walked to the car in silence. The cold night air was heavy, the kind that pressed against your chest and made you feel small under the vast, starless sky. As they drove through the quiet streets, Mathew found his thoughts wandering.
"You remind me of your father," Mathew said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Calum glanced at him briefly before returning his eyes to the road. "I'll take that as a compliment, sir. Though I doubt I've got his patience."
Mathew smiled faintly, the first genuine smile he'd managed all night. "He always had a way of grounding things, even in the chaos. Still carving those little wooden figurines, is he?"
Calum chuckled, his voice tinged with warmth. "Every day. Says it keeps his hands busy and his mind sharp. He's working on a series of forest animals now. Wants to carve an entire woodland."
Mathew let out a soft laugh. "That sounds like him. He always had a knack for finding peace in the simplest things."
The conversation lingered on Calum's father, and for a moment, the oppressive weight of Mathew's thoughts lifted. The memories of the old driver's gruff humor and steady demeanor felt like a small, warm light in the cold darkness.
When they arrived at the library, the imposing stone building loomed over them, its Gothic architecture casting long shadows under the dim streetlights. Mathew and Calum stepped inside, the heavy wooden doors creaking as they opened.
The librarian, an older woman with silver hair neatly pinned back, looked up from her desk. Her sharp eyes softened when she recognized Mathew. "Judge Mathew," she greeted, her voice carrying the faintest hint of amusement. "I don't often see you here, and certainly not at this hour."
Mathew managed a polite smile. "Good evening—or rather, good morning. I'm looking for some specific books."
The librarian stood, adjusting her spectacles. "Well, you've piqued my curiosity. What could possibly bring the esteemed judge into the realm of dusty tomes at this ungodly hour?"
Mathew hesitated, then said, "I've developed an interest in mythology—specifically the arcane and diabolical figures."
The librarian chuckled, her laughter echoing softly in the vast space. "The Judge, delving into the occult? Now that's a twist."
Calum, standing a few steps behind Mathew, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his expression unreadable.
The librarian led them to a secluded section of the library, the shelves towering high and packed with ancient books. Dust lingered in the air, and the faint scent of aged paper was almost comforting.
"You'll find plenty here," she said, gesturing to the shelves. "But do be careful. Knowledge is a double-edged sword, Mr. Mathew."
With that, she left them to their search.
Mathew and Calum spent hours poring over the books, their fingers trailing over yellowed pages filled with intricate drawings and cryptic texts. They exchanged a few words here and there, but Mathew kept his true intentions to himself. The less Calum knew, the safer he would be.
At one point, Calum leaned against a shelf, watching Mathew flip through yet another book. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd take an interest in this sort of thing."
Mathew didn't look up. "Sometimes, we're drawn to things we don't understand."
Calum nodded slowly. "Fair enough. Just don't go summoning anything, yeah?"
Mathew allowed himself a small smile. "I'll try to resist the urge."
When they finally signed the library register and stepped outside, the first light of dawn was creeping over the horizon. The city was beginning to stir, the silence of the night giving way to the faint hum of early morning life.
Mathew stood for a moment, staring up at the sky. The pale hues of dawn painted the clouds, a fragile beauty that felt at odds with the storm brewing within him.
"Today," he murmured to himself, "today, I might finally get answers."
Calum watched him quietly before clapping him on the shoulder. "Whatever it is you're looking for, sir, I hope you find it."
Mathew glanced at him, a flicker of gratitude in his tired eyes. "Thank you, Calum. Let's get home."
As they drove back, Mathew's anticipation grew. By the time Isabel arrived, he would be one step closer to uncovering the truth—a truth that had eluded him his entire life.
But as the sky brightened, a nagging thought lingered in the back of his mind: Was he ready for what he might find?