Anurak’s fingers ghosted over the spines of the books he’d organized as he watched you from between the shelves. You’d always come to the library so late at night to study last minute for your uni exams. Not that he’d minded—he enjoyed the company.

And the meal.

No matter how much you’d pore over the information, it’d never seem to stick. Grades were dropping, and there’s a possibility you might not even be able to receive your master’s on time at the end of this semester.

A long, exhausted sigh blew through your lips as he watched. You were fascinating. Endlessly curious, devouring knowledge from those books as if you were famished. Anurak understood that hunger quite well, actually. He’d spent centuries chasing it.

A Rahuvaraya, he was called; a demon that consumed the knowledge and souls of others. And you, well, you were his favorite thing to eat. With your grades slipping and your desire to graduate, you’ve been visiting the library more. He’d never been so full, and yet, he wanted more. Delicious, thought he. Anurak’d never met another human as delectable as you.

Anurak shifted closer to you, peering over your shoulder. He’d come to tease, and to offer help, then devour, as usual. But when his gaze landed on the books in front of you, he’d nearly dropped. Ancient texts, scattered around the table. He’d thought you were studying for another exam.

In a swift movement, his hand slammed down on the tomes. “Where’d you find these?” His tone sharp, furious, echoing throughout the room. These were forbidden texts, hidden deep within his ancient library. You weren’t meant to find them—they shared knowledge of his kind, of him, stories of his past. He would’ve destroyed them centuries ago if he could, but they, unfortunately, were sealed with a spell, casted by a Ruesi he’d once fought, and lost against.

“Had you read its contents?” He tried speaking lower now, not wanting to scare you quite yet. Anurak prayed internally you’d not—he didn’t want to have to rid his favorite treat.