“Now don’t you think this is much better attire for your initiation than the horrible jeans and shirt you had picked out?” Jack stood behind me as we both looked in the mirror at my reflection. “And you should grow your hair out. I mean what is this a bob? If your hair was longer we could put it up or put lots of curl in it.” Jack stepped back and crossed his arms. “Oh, well, the best I could scrounge on such short notice.”
I looked at myself in the large oval mirror framed in deeply carved gold rosettes that encircled the mirror. I pulled at my chin length, red hair and smiled. I then put on over my lace tank top a deep green, crushed velvet jacket that conformed to my curves and flared out around my knees.
“Now you look more like a librarian.” Jack stood back to evaluate me. “And not so much resembling a librarian’s daughter.”
I looked back in the mirror looking more at the girl I am now rather than the girl I was a few weeks ago. My thoughts drifted as Jack hummed and went into the closet to rummage.
Nate had returned home and told Meg that I’m going to school in Chicago studying art at the institute. Every time I thought of her I could feel a pang of sorrow even though she was happy and healthy now Victoria was contained, it’s an artificial happiness, but I know now Nate will protect her. And as far as Barnabus, things move slowly and I’m not sure where in my life now he will be. I want to get to know him and he even sent flowers congratulating me on my initiation to the librarianship.
“A note from Grace!” Roan came running in waving a small piece of paper.
After the council with Henry, Grace volunteered to take the book and scepter to Henry for safe keeping. He said a sorceress as powerful as Victoria shouldn’t be in a library, but safe with him where temptation or her followers didn’t have a chance to release her.
“She sent a note that looked like that?” Jack pointed at the green post-it-note with speculation.
“No, I copied it down from her light note that she sent Lou on her tablet.”
Jack shook his head. “Well, read it,” he motioned impatiently.
“She says hello and sorry she can’t be here, but she wanted Abi to know she’d left a present for her and she’d be here as soon as she could to help Abi decorate her new apartment.”
“Like my tastes aren’t good enough,” Jack said taking the note from Roan.
“Abi are you ready?” Lou asked leaning in the doorway.
“Yes,” I said with a smile.
“No, you’re not.” Jack went over to his closet and fumbled around coming out holding a hat. “This was your mother’s hat. I gave it to her when she moved in because the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She didn’t have any fashion sense either. So here you go it’s called a derby hat and since you’re so tall you won’t look like a giant towering over the other librarians.”
I took the black, felt covered hat with a slender ribbon encircling it. “Thanks,” I said putting it on and looking at myself in the mirror.
“Abi, your escort is here!” Ella yelled from the living room.
I went out to see Kelan dressed in a long, black coat with satin trimmed around the collar and sleeves. A silver crest, the mark of the guardians, was embroidered on his right sleeve. He also had on a dark shirt and pants along with the top hat Lucy had given to him.
“Are you ready Miss VanHaven?” Kelan asked holding his bent arm to me.
I smiled walking up to him feeling extra tall in my long coat and hat. “Of course Mr. Blackwell.”
“Wait, I want to get your picture,” Beannca waved her hands and went to her purse to get her camera out.
The Librarian's Daughter The Story of Abi VanHaven Page 15