It wasn’t Ms. Aldea on the other side of the glass.
It was a unicorn.
It looked different somehow, far more beautiful than it had during our last encounter, and far less menacing. Had its coat always been a shimmering shade of obsidian? I could have sworn it was red.
I took a step back, bumping into the table.
Having been nearly impaled the last time we’d met, I couldn’t say I was thrilled to see the horned horse again. I’d thoughtit was connected to the museum, and to the security system there. Yet here it stood, in an entirely different location, and completely in phase with this reality. There was no demonic quality to it now, either. It appeared quite…majestic.
The difference in appearance was disarming and deceiving. Silas must have set off the alarm while interrogating Kurnbottom. He must have set the unicorn loose. Clearly it was here for me, to finish the job it had started back at the museum.
I had three options. One—hide here until Ms. Aldea returned and possibly was murdered by the unicorn while coming to scold me for snooping. Two—lead the creature away and return to read more once I’d removed the threat. Three—confront and neutralize the creature here and now. Option three could ultimately end like option one, leaving me only one choice.
I had to run.
I fumbled around the table, gathered the books, and returned them to the shelf without taking my eyes off the unicorn for even a blink.
I inched toward the door, holding tight to my bag. The unicorn watched, but stayed still, giving me at least a few seconds’ lead once I made my move.
After I was safely away, I’d freeze the unicorn so it couldn’t cause any harm, then shove it through a portal for the library to store in a safe location. Moving something that heavy would not be easy, but I’d figure that part out when the time came.
I took in one long, deep breath, then made a break for it.
I raced out of the tiny library and out into the hills, away from the street. I ran and I ran, but I didn’t hear the unicorn chasing after me. I only heard my own footsteps and my labored breaths.
Still moving, I glanced back over my shoulder.
The unicorn wasn’t following me.
It was still standing by the window, watching me.
I slowed to a stop and faced the beast, more comfortable with this level of distance.
“What’s your story? You don’t want to disembowel me anymore?” I asked the mythical horse beast. “Not that I’m complaining. I can’t say I’m disappointed to have all of my insides intact.”
The unicorn bobbed its head, turned, and sauntered away, swishing its tail. It was headed into the hills, as I had been, but in an entirely different direction.
I paused a moment before following.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
The unicorn kept going without showing any sign it understood my question. Why was I even bothering to follow it? It didn’t appear to be a threat, and therefore it didn’t need to be dealt with. The smart move was to return to the journals about the amulet and see if I could discover any more information. Plus, the last time I’d encountered this unicorn, it tried to kill me.
I stopped.
It looked back, swished its tail, then bobbed its head as if trying to gesture for me to follow.
“Why?” I asked. “Is your murder pit back here somewhere.”
The unicorn huffed, flaring its nostrils. Was that…a laugh?
No, that was silly. This entire scenario was preposterous. I turned to go, starting back the way I had come. “This was a mistake.”
The unicorn spun around and trotted up to me, blocking my path. Somehow the animal still didn’t feel threatening, only lovely.
“Leave me alone,” I said.
Its nostrils flared.