The Library

Lilith

M y phone won’t stop buzzing, dragging me from the haze of my hangover. The shrill ring pierces through the pounding in my head, each vibration sending sharp jolts of pain through my skull. I groan, rolling over in bed, my body aching from the mix of alcohol and whatever else had been in my system last night. I don’t even remember falling asleep, and now I’m regretting every single drink I took.

The buzzing doesn’t stop. I reach out, fumbling for my phone on the nightstand, my fingers brushing against the cold surface before finally grabbing it. Without even looking at the screen, I answer the call, my voice scratchy and weak. “Hello?”

“Lily! Thank god you’re okay!” Anna’s voice is frantic, louder than necessary. I flinch, holding the phone away from my ear for a second before bringing it back.

“Jesus, Anna… What’s wrong?” I croak, trying to force my brain into functioning. The pounding in my head isn’t helping.

“Have you heard? Oh my god, Lily, have you heard about Derek?” Anna’s voice cracks, a mix of panic and disbelief.

“Derek?” The name feels foreign on my tongue, and for a second, my foggy brain struggles to connect the dots. Then it all comes flooding back—last night, the party, Derek bringing me home, his hands on me, pushing me against the wall. A wave of nausea washes over me as the memories resurface, and I sit up quickly, my body protesting the sudden movement. “What about Derek?”

“He’s dead.” Anna’s words hit like a punch to the gut, knocking the breath out of me. “Lily, they found him this morning. The police said it was an overdose.”

An overdose.

I blink, my mind scrambling to make sense of what she just said. Derek? Dead? Overdose?

The room spins, and I grip the sheets tightly, trying to steady myself. “What? No… How?”

“I don’t know all the details yet, but they found him in his car a few miles from his apartment.” Anna’s voice is shaky now, as if she’s struggling to believe it herself. “They said it looked like an accidental overdose. But… Derek? He’s never touched anything like that. I mean, we’ve known him for years. It doesn’t make any sense. He’s always partied, but nothing like this. Did anything crazy happen after you guys left the party last night?”

“No… not at all,” I say, shocked and feeling some sort of guilt, “I passed out as soon as he brought me into my apartment and then he left.”

My heart races, and I feel a chill creeping up my spine. An overdose. But I know better. It wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a random death.

It was him.

Sebastian.

The realization hits me like a freight train, and suddenly, everything falls into place. The way Sebastian looked at me last night, the way he said he would keep me safe. The way Derek’s hands had felt on me, the way fear and disgust had mingled in my chest when he wouldn’t stop. And now, Derek’s gone.

He did it. I know he did.

“Lily?” Anna’s voice pulls me back to the present, her words edged with concern. “Are you okay?”

I swallow hard, forcing myself to focus, trying to push down the whirlwind of emotions bubbling up inside me. Guilt, relief, fear—all swirling together. “Yeah, I’m… I’m fine. Just… I can’t believe this.”

“I know,” she says softly, her tone shifting to something more sympathetic. “I thought you’d want to know. We should meet up, talk about it… And everything that happened last night.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Yeah, okay. Brunch?”

“Brunch,” she confirms. “We’ll figure this out together, okay? See you soon.”

We say our goodbyes, and I hang up the phone, staring at the screen for a long moment. My hands are shaking, and I feel like the air has been sucked out of the room. Derek is dead. Sebastian killed him. And I can’t tell anyone.

I drop the phone onto the bed, my mind swirling with thoughts and emotions I can’t untangle. My body feels heavy, weighed down by the events of last night and the hangover still lingering in my system. I lean back against the pillows, closing my eyes, trying to breathe, trying to make sense of this.

But then, as I glance back at my phone, I notice it—a single notification already sitting there, sent sometime during the night, unnoticed until now.

A text message.

From Sebastian.

My heart skips a beat as I reach for the phone, dread and anticipation mixing in my chest. I open the message, and my stomach tightens as I read the words on the screen.

Sebastian: If anyone ever tries to touch you or hurt you, I will kill them.

I stare at the message, my breath catching in my throat. There it is. The confirmation I already knew but didn’t want to face. He did it. He killed Derek. And now, he’s telling me, in no uncertain terms, that he’ll do it again. That he’ll kill anyone who dares to come near me, who dares to hurt me.

My fingers tremble as I hold the phone, rereading the message over and over again. Part of me is horrified. Someone is dead because of me. Someone I’ve known for years. And yet… I can’t shake the feeling of relief. Relief that Sebastian was there. Relief that Derek is gone.

A strange sense of security washes over me, and I hate myself for it. I should be scared. I should be running as far away from this as possible. But instead, I feel… protected. Safe.

Because Sebastian isn’t just anyone. He’s dangerous, yes. Deadly, even. But he’s made it clear that no one will ever hurt me as long as he’s around.

And in a twisted way, that’s comforting.

I clutch the phone tighter, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I should call the police. I should tell Anna everything. But I won’t. I can’t. Because admitting the truth means facing it. It means acknowledging that I’m in this now, tangled up in something far darker than I ever imagined.

Sebastian is dangerous, and I know I should stay away. But I can’t. He’s pulled me in, and I’m not sure I even want to escape.

I glance at the clock, realizing I have to get ready to meet Anna soon. But as I stand, my legs feel unsteady, like they could give out at any moment. My thoughts are racing, my heart pounding in my chest, and all I can think about is him.

Sebastian Ashford.

What am I going to do?

The question lingers in my mind as I pull on my clothes, my movements robotic, mechanical. I have to act normal. I have to be calm. But inside, I’m anything but. Inside, I’m unraveling.

As I leave my apartment, I can’t help but look around, scanning the street for any sign of him. Any hint that he’s watching, waiting. And somehow, I know he is. I can feel him, lurking just beyond the edge of my awareness, his presence like a shadow that won’t go away.

And deep down, I don’t want it to.

* * *

I step into the small café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of clinking cups filling the air. The usual comfort I find in this place is lost today, buried under the weight of everything that’s happened. My body still aches, a dull throb in my head from the hangover mixing with the unease that’s been twisting in my gut since I woke up. And then there’s the text… his text. I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.

Anna’s already at a table in the corner, waving me over with a bright smile on her face. She looks fresh, like she didn’t spend the night drinking and dancing at a party where everything went to hell. Meanwhile, I feel like I’ve been through a war. I force a smile, trying to push away the heavy thoughts weighing me down, and make my way to her.

“Hey,” she says, pulling me into a quick hug as I sit down. “You look like shit.”

“Wow, thanks,” I mutter, rubbing my temples as I take a seat.

Anna chuckles, pouring some cream into her coffee. “Rough night?”

“You could say that.” My voice is shaky, and I hope she doesn’t notice. My mind is still racing, trying to piece together everything that happened.

“So,” she says, leaning in a little, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “First of all, Ty and I really hit it off. I mean, really hit it off. We’re seeing each other again tonight.” She winks, clearly buzzing with anticipation. “He’s so fucking hot, . I can just tell… the sex is going to be mind-blowing. You know how tall he is, right? I swear, guys like that? You just know their dick is huge.” She giggles, biting her lip, clearly lost in her own fantasy.

I try to smile, but it feels forced. I can’t focus on Anna’s flirty excitement right now. There’s too much on my mind.

I manage a weak smile. “That’s great. I’m glad he’s not just some creep.”

“Oh, he’s definitely not,” she says, practically glowing. “I bet he fucks like something crazy—like, the kind of guy who has you screaming and begging for more by the end of it. You can just tell he’s not the vanilla type, you know? The way he carries himself… God, I just know he’s going to ruin me, and I can’t fucking wait.” Her eyes gleam with excitement, and I can see she’s already playing it out in her head.

“But enough about me. What the hell happened with you last night? Ty’s friend, Sebastian? God, he’s hot and scary at the same time. That whole thing with the blood?” She’s laughing, but her voice shifts quickly. “And… have you heard anything more about Derek?”

The mention of Derek sends a chill down my spine. I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. “No… I’ve only talked to you this morning, so I only know what you told me.”

Anna leans in, eyes wide. “I still can’t believe it. He seemed fine when you left with him.”

“Yeah,” I say, my voice tight. “He did.” I take a deep breath, not wanting to relive the events of last night, but Anna’s waiting for details, and I need to give her something.

“I mean… Derek was drunk, you know? Not wasted though. I don’t know, maybe he took something before we left the party or maybe after. I barely remember getting home.” I rub my forehead, trying to make the lie sound convincing. I hate this. I hate that I’m protecting Sebastian, but the thought of telling Anna the truth feels impossible.

Anna shakes her head, looking genuinely sad. “It’s just so crazy. I always thought he was the goody-goody type, I mean I knew he partied, but to overdose?”

I nod but stay quiet. My heart races as I think about Derek’s last moments, wondering how much pain he was in before Sebastian killed him. I don’t feel guilty for what happened. I should, but I don’t. I feel safe because of it. And that’s even more fucked up.

Anna stirs her coffee again, breaking the silence. “You know, that wasn’t even the craziest part of last night.”

I blink, focusing on her. “What do you mean?”

She looks at me, her eyes narrowing a little, as if she’s about to spill some huge secret. “Sebastian Ashford. I didn’t even realize who he was until Ty told me. I mean I’ve heard of him, but never knew what he looked like.”

My heart stutters at the mention of his name, and I try to keep my expression neutral, even though my pulse is hammering in my chest.

“Who is he?” I ask, trying to sound casual. I’ve heard whispers about him around campus before—stories that always seemed too far-fetched to be true. But I’ve never been one to pay much attention to gossip, always brushing it off as just that. Last night, when he told me his last name, it didn’t even register. I didn’t connect the dots. Not until now.

Anna leans in a little closer, lowering her voice. “He’s part of a really powerful family. His father, James Ashford, is… well, let’s just say they own a lot of things, including that bookstore you love— The Library .”

My stomach drops. The Library ? That’s where I met him. That’s where this all started.

“I’ve heard rumors,” Anna continues, her voice hushed, like we’re talking about something forbidden. “About Sebastian, I mean. He’s part of this… group. Some people say it’s a secret Society. Others say it’s just a club for rich assholes. But everyone knows they’re dangerous. The Ashfords have a reputation.” She glances around before leaning in even closer. “I’ve even heard he’s killed people. Like, a lot of people. No one really knows what this ‘Society’ does, but murder? It’s definitely part of it.”

Her words send a chill down my spine, but before I can respond, Anna furrows her brow. “Shit… do you think Ty’s in it too? He was with Sebastian last night, so… maybe he’s involved?”

I sit there, feeling like the ground is shifting beneath me. Sebastian. The Library . His family. The way Anna talks about him makes it sound like he’s more than just a guy from a powerful family. He’s something darker. Something I’ve been pulled into without even realizing it.

“And get this,” Anna continues, her voice dropping even lower. “Every girl who’s been with him says he’s into some really intense shit. Like, BDSM-level intense. They talk about it like it’s the best sex of their lives, but it’s always the same. He breaks them, in a way. Leaves them obsessed with him.”

Her earlier thought about Ty seems short-lived, already forgotten as she dives back into talking about Sebastian. “It’s fucking crazy. Every girl says he gets inside their heads. It’s not just physical. He leaves them wanting more, like they can’t live without him.”

Her words send a shiver through me, and I feel heat rising to my cheeks. My thoughts flashback to last night, to the way Sebastian touched me, the way he whispered my name. There was something dangerous about it, something that felt like it was teetering on the edge of control. And I wanted it. I still do.

“I mean, you know I’m not one to judge,” Anna says, laughing softly. “I’m all for some wild shit in the bedroom, but Sebastian? He’s different. He gets in your head. That’s what all the girls say. I just want you to know what you’re getting into before you decide to fuck him.”

Anna’s never been one to have the tongue of a ‘lady,’ and I know she doesn’t give a shit about anything or what anyone thinks. It’s one of the things I love about her—she says exactly what she means, no filter. But I’m barely listening to her anymore. My mind is spinning, trying to process everything she’s saying. The Ashfords. The Library. The way Sebastian made me feel like I was his, even though I barely know him.

An intense, unfamiliar feeling surges through me—jealousy. The thought of Sebastian fucking other women shouldn’t surprise me. I knew he wasn’t a virgin, obviously. But the idea of other women being obsessed with him, having had that same hold over them, makes my blood boil. It’s irrational, but I can’t shake the anger that flares inside me at the idea of anyone else being so close to him.

Anna leans back in her chair, taking a sip of her coffee, oblivious to the storm raging inside me. “It’s wild, right? I always thought you had a type, but this guy? He’s on a whole different level.”

I force a smile, but my thoughts are a mess. “Yeah… wild.”

Anna’s talking, laughing about something Ty said, but I’m barely hearing her. My mind is somewhere else—already thinking about tonight. About seeing Sebastian again. About confronting him. So I grab my phone and send him a text before I can talk myself out of it.

We need to talk.

I don’t even know what I’m going to say. What can I say? Part of me is terrified, but another part of me—the part I can’t ignore —is aching to see him again. To feel his hands on me, his voice in my ear, that raw power he exudes.

He texts back pretty quickly, his response short.

Sebastian: Where?

For a moment, I hesitate, feeling the weight of the decision in my hands. But then it hits me—this is my chance. Let me walk into his world for a change. I’ll be the one to invade his space, like he’s done to mine so many times before. I type back: Your place.

It’s a small victory, but it feels like I’m playing the game now, just like he is with me. The idea of stepping into his world, on my terms, gives me a sense of control I’ve been craving.

“I’m gonna go see him tonight,” I say suddenly, interrupting Anna mid-sentence.

She blinks, confused. “Who? Sebastian?”

I nod, feeling the weight of my decision settle over me.

Anna’s eyes widen in surprise, but she quickly recovers, grinning. “Damn, girl. You don’t waste time, do you?”

I shrug, trying to play it off, but inside, I’m a mess of nerves and anticipation. “I just… need to talk to him.”

Anna smirks with a wink. “ Talk . Sure.”

I laugh, but it’s hollow. The truth is, I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight. All I know is that I need to see him. I need answers. About Derek. About everything.

Anna glances at her phone and sighs. “I have to go, but you have to tell me everything after tonight. Promise?”

I nod, but my mind is already elsewhere, racing ahead to what’s coming. To Sebastian. To whatever this thing between us is.

“I will,” I say, forcing another smile as Anna stands and gives me a quick hug.

She leaves, and I’m alone with my thoughts. The café feels too quiet now, too still. I can’t sit here any longer. I need to go.

As I walk out of the café, my phone buzzes in my hand. It’s a message from him.

Sebastian: 8pm. Don’t be late.

I barely have time to process it before another message follows.

Sebastian: I’ll be waiting.

The simplicity of the words sends a chill down my spine. He’s always one step ahead, always in control .

A chill runs down my spine as I stare at the words, my pulse quickening with a mixture of fear and excitement.

Tonight.