Page 26 of The Void

“Mia,” he said, taking her shoulders in his hands. “This isn’t a cave. This is…” He frowned and looked around. “A cathedral carved out of rocks.”

She shrugged. “I did mention that all of the Li family history is here.” She glanced around the huge library where she’d spent so much time in her childhood.

She’d brought them to the main section of the cave. There were more than a hundred smaller rooms scattered throughout the cave, each one filled with scrolls or books.

When she was young, after she’d come into her powers, she’d been asked to zap new furniture here or bring a bunch of family members so they could read or study.

She’d never really paid much attention, since she had been just a kid. The first few years of visiting this place, she had enjoyed exploring all the rooms. She’d gotten lost several times.

“I was thinking it would take us a few hours to find what we are looking for. We’ll be lucky to find it in a lifetime,” Lucas said.

“Oh, but you have the added benefit of being with me.” She wiggled her eyebrows and then held out her hand and waited. “Let me try something.” She concentrated.

Lucas frowned at her. “What are you doing?”

“Shh, just… wait for it.” She smiled when she felt a slight pull.

They waited a moment and just when Lucas opened his mouth to talk again, a giant leather-bound book the size of a coffee table flew towards her.

She squealed in surprise at the size of the thing, and then quickly did her best to catch it against her chest.

“Okay, I thought it would be smaller,” she managed when he helped her set it down on a table, one she had helped bring to this realm and had drawn or studied at many times over the years. “Somewhere in here is our answer.” She waved at the book.

“Can you just…”—he flicked his wrist—“find it?”

“Nope,” she said after trying. “I think we have to do this part the old-fashioned way.”

Lucas lifted the heavy cover and frowned down at the text.

“It’s Sumerian,” she said over his shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled. “Stand back.” She pulled a chair closer and started reading while Lucas looked over her shoulder.

Several hours later, the table was littered with empty coffee cups, plates, and potato chip bags, the same ones she had always enjoyed when studying for school. Her eyes and her head hurt, and she was pretty sure the answers to their questions were nowhere inside this damned book.

“I need a break.” She stood up and stretched her arms over her head.

During the past few hours, Lucas had taken to strolling around the library and looking around.

Currently, he was sitting in another chair, reading a different book. Now he looked up at her.

“Okay.” He closed the book and set it down. “What do you have in mind?” he asked, standing up himself.

She glanced around then smiled. “I left something the last time I was here.” She walked over to an old chest and opened it, then laughed as she pulled out her old Nintendo Switch. “Wanna see if I can beat my old score?”

He chuckled and took the game from her hands and set it down. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. “How about we play a different game?” He kissed her.

God. How was it that he could make her melt so quickly?

While his mouth moved over hers, he backed them up until her knees hit the huge leather sofa.

“Sometime soon, you’re going to have to explain how all this furniture and stuff got in here,” he said against her lips. “For now, I’m just thankful there’s a sofa.”

She wanted to tell him there was a bedroom of sorts somewhere in the cave. But for now this would do. Besides, she doubted her legs could carry her past a few steps.

Gently, he laid her down on the sofa and covered her body with his while she pulled his shirt over his head.

Desperation had sunk in. She needed him. Had wanted him since the night before. He’d done things to her, made her body react differently than anyone before.

Thankfully, Lucas seemed to match her speed. He hiked up her long dress and pulled it over her head.