The chill air has grown somewhat warmer and you stop by a partially opened door. There's light inside...the source of the warmth. Slowly, you push the thick wooden door open and step inside. It is a huge library, thousands of books lining the walls and even scrolls stacked on tables, charts and maps cover one wall while a fireplace burns brightly at the other.
Someone is here. A steaming cup of tea sits on a heavy wooden table by a large, overstuffed, black chair, giving proof. A slender foot hangs over the thick armrest, moving occasionally with the tiny rubbing noise of flesh over leather.
Without a sound, you make your way behind the chair and risk a glance a the figure in its immense seat. A young woman, book in her lap, lays sleeping sideways on the vast cushion. Is this the infamous Lady Shinigami? A sleeping girl with long brown hair and a book in her lap couldn't be such a powerful being!
At that moment you blink and a half-second later, there's a knife to your throat and an angry pair of brown eyes glitter an inch away from your face. She suddenly smirks.
"It's rude to be so observant of a sleeping person," she hisses. "Are you the new toy Zephyr was talking about? She said you looked rather like an idiot."
"I was just... er... I mean-"
"Shut your worthless mouth," she snaps angrily, releasing the grip on your cloak. "I am Lady Shinigami. Who are you?"
You manage to reply although you stumble a little. A delicate, seemingly well practiced smile crosses her face.
"Welcome to the Library then."