Chapter 4 Castiel

༻☆✫☆༺

The library, filled of hushed whispers and the comforting scent of aging paper, held its usual quiet sway. It was a place where the studious toiled, their heads bent over textbooks, chasing knowledge and good grades amidst the comforting stacks of dusty volumes. But Katherine wasn't one of them. Equations and historical dates held no allure for her; her heart yearned for fantastical realms of romance and adventure, the kind woven into the pages of novels. Every free period she had, the ones she didn't spend drowning in self-pity over her abysmal academic performance, was spent here, sifting through shelves for a story that would sweep her away, hold her captive entirely.

Today, she clutched the newest addition to her literary repertoire, "The Tides of the Myrtle," a spellbinding tale of adventure that had kept her up past her usual bedtime to the early hours of the morning, turning pages long after the moon had risen, each chapter leaving her craving more. Desperately, she wanted to find the second book in the series, to unravel the mysteries it had so expertly woven, but knowing her meager allowance, a bookstore wasn't an option.

With a sigh, Katherine approached the librarian's desk, a haven of warm light in the otherwise dimly lit space. Mrs Reed, a kindly woman whose wrinkles seemed etched with stories of their own, was a beacon of knowledge and an endless well of book recommendations, always guiding Katherine towards the perfect escape.

"Oh, you're looking for book two?" Mrs. Reed asked, her voice soft and melodious. "I'm afraid there's nothing of the sort as of now, but we're expecting a new shipment of books next week. Perhaps I can tell them to add an extra novel for you."

Katherine's heart sank. The first book had ended on a cliffhanger of epic proportions, leaving her on the edge of her seat, desperately needing to know what lay beyond. A week? It felt like an eternity. "Oh, okay, well... do you have any other recommendations?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"Of course, dear. There's a book I just finished reading myself. I trust you'll love it." Mrs. Reed pointed to a section of the library Katherine had never explored before, a collection of obscure fantasy novels that seemed to whisper of hidden worlds.

With a newfound sense of anticipation, Katherine ventured into the unknown. As she scanned the titles, she found herself drawn to a book whose cover depicted a swirling nebula, a celestial scene that mirrored the fantastical landscapes of the "Tides of the Myrtle." The book was a thick tome, with a worn leather cover and a gilded spine that promised untold adventures. She carefully pulled it from the shelf, her fingers brushing against the cool surface of the aged paper.

Just as she did so, a large, veiny hand reached for the same book, a hand that seemed impossibly large, almost like a giant's. Her gaze flew upwards, meeting a pair of the most captivating silvery grey eyes she had ever seen. They were pools of moonlight, reflecting an intelligence that seemed to pierce through her very soul.

The boy, for he was undeniably him, despite his imposing stature, gave her a warm smile that lit up his entire face. His features were sculpted with a classical beauty, his cheekbones high, his jawline sharp, a faint dusting of freckles adorning the bridge of his nose.

"Hey," he said, his voice a smooth baritone that sent shivers down her spine.

"Um... Hi," Katherine managed to stammer, her words struggling to escape the knot of nerves that had suddenly tightened in her throat.

"You're the girl I bumped into the other day, right?" He asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners as if he found the memory amusing.

"Y–yeah, I am," she confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I never really got to apologize for that. I'm sorry," he continued, his voice a velvety melody that seemed to soothe the chaos in her heart. "I wasn't looking where I was going, and I'm new here so–"

"It's fine!" Katherine blurted out, realizing too late that she had raised her voice. She quickly lowered her tone, her cheeks flushing crimson under his gaze. "I mean, it's fine. Don't worry about it."

God, she was such an idiot. Why couldn't she just speak normally? She chastised herself, her heart pounding in her chest like a hummingbird's wings.

The boy let out an enchanting smirk, a play of shadows and light that made her stomach flip. He seemed to know the effect he had on her, the way his smirk could make her lose all sense of reason.

"I'm Castiel Mikaelson," he said, extending his hand, a hand that was as warm and strong as the sun. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Katherine Donovan," she mumbled, taking his hand in hers. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated magic. His hand enveloped hers completely, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her veins.

"Donovan," Castiel repeated, his voice barely a murmur. "I'm not exactly a genius, but I'm guessing you're Caroline's twin sister."

"Yep, that's me," she confirmed, her smile feeling strained and unnatural. "Well, um, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go–"

"You like The Tides series?" Castiel interrupted, his gaze turning to the book in her hand, as if he hadn't noticed her attempt to escape.

"Yeah, but I've only read the first book so..." She trailed off, unable to articulate the ache in her soul to know what happened next.

"I've got all three books laying around at home," Castiel stated, a playful gleam in his eyes.

Katherine's eyes lit up, a spark of hope igniting within her. "You do? Can you lend them to me?" she asked, barely able to contain her excitement.

Castiel grinned mischievously, his lips curving into a smile that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. "Sure."

Katherine's face broke into a genuine smile, her heart doing a little dance of joy. "Thanks."

"If... well, until you're done reading them by... well, I was thinking we could... maybe eat lunch together?" Castiel suggested, his voice hesitant, as if unsure of her reaction.

Katherine blinked. Eating lunch with him? She knew it was a crazy idea. Lunch with a boy like Castiel would be a magnet for gossip and intrigue. She, the girl who struggled to blend into the background, the girl who was overshadowed by her outgoing twin, was about to walk into the spotlight, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.

But the promise of finishing the "Tides of the Myrtle" series, of learning the fate of the banished Prince of Avalon, was too tempting to resist. With a sigh, she conceded. "Okay."

As Katherine turned to leave, she couldn't help but steal one last glance at Castiel. He was standing there, a silhouette of beauty against the soft light filtering through the library window. His eyes were still fixed on her, holding a glimmer of something she couldn't quite decipher. And for the first time, Katherine felt a thrill, a flicker of anticipation for the unknown. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't just a chance to finish a beloved series, but a chance for her own story to begin.

A story which obviously wouldn't end well.