The Library (The Librarian of Alexandria Book 1) by Casey White (ebook reader 8 inch .TXT) 📗

his chin to his chest.  “Fair enough.  I get it.  She’s handy, but she’s not the Librarian.”

As though his words had broken a spell, the wind died away.  He nodded, leaning back against a pew.  “I guess I’ve been a little busy, lately,” he mumbled.  “Sorry.”

He wrinkled his nose, scowling down at the floor.  He’d had guests before.  He’d had guests far more problematic than these two, in fact.  So why was he letting himself get so carried away with the guild’s finest?

“Sorry,” he said again, and took a book from the stack.  He didn’t grab the whole lot, didn’t try and shove them away into their new homes as fast as he could.  He took his time, walking the chapel until he found a space just big enough to fit the tome.

There was something cathartic about it, too.  He let himself fall into the rhythm of the moment, savoring the texture of each cover under his gloved fingertips as he shelved.  Another slot, another book, and...Owl paused.

A thick layer of dust coated the top of each stack, spreading across the desks.  He sighed.  “Let me guess.  You want me to dust you, too.”

She didn’t reply, as such, but the faint clatter of wood on wood echoed out behind him.  Owl turned - and groaned at the sight of a feather duster lying on a desk farther down.  “What are you, some kind of needy kid?” he muttered.  He couldn’t quite contain his smile, though, as he reached out and-

He froze.  Something glimmered beyond the stained glass.  A glow, human-shaped.  And moving.  It lingered for a moment, turning gently as though looking at him - and then slipped away, vanishing into the murk.

“A dreamer,” Owl said, straightening.  “Sorry, Alex.  Dusting will have to wait.”  That too was like fingernails on a chalkboard in his head - the sight of the dreamer, of it wandering the halls balefully.  He should’ve been spending more time patrolling.  He should be keeping a better eye out for the lost souls.

Abandoning the duster, he turned for the door.  “I’ll handle it,” he murmured.  “It looked like that one was outside.  The fresh air will do me good.  I guess.”  As fresh as air in Alexandria could get, anyway.  And for all he knew, the dreamer wasn’t even outside.  It wouldn’t be the first time Alexandria twisted in on herself, bending reality itself to her whims.

Wherever the dreamer was, he’d find it.  He swept from the room with one last wry smile at the books.  “Sorry.  I’ll be back.”

Into the hallway he went.  His eyes scanned the stone-and-lumber walls, looking for a nook, a passage to let him get a little closer to the dreamer.  He’d been close, he was sure of it.  All he needed was a door, and-

“We’ll just have to-”

“I know, I know.”

Owl froze, skidding to a stop.  He blinked - and glanced toward one of the hallways that lay farther down.

The words faded out, but he was sure he’d heard them.  Voices.  Familiar. voices.

His heart sank.  Really, Alex? Had she really...

He crept forward far enough to lean out past the edge of the wall - and groaned.  She had.  You know, when we’ve got the fucking guildmaster’s favorite and her partner here in the Library, could you maybe play things a little smart?

All of his earlier goodwill towards his architectural captor was evaporating, simmering away by the second.

Because there, waltzing down the hallway like they owned the place, were Leon and his companions.

Owl could have sworn he heard birdsong from outside, in this place that had no birds.  “Don’t act so damn cheery,” he muttered under his breath, standing.  Leon hadn’t seen him yet.  Not that it mattered, when push came to shove, but he wasn’t about to give up their game of surprises so easily.  Not when he’d lost the last go-around.

Steadying himself, he edged out from his cover, creeping forward.

James and Maya walked at the front, with Leon hanging behind.  Owl smiled through the waves of his irritation.  Good.  The better to-

Leon shrieked when Owl grabbed his shoulder.  Just a little.  He bit the sound off, shuddering.  Maya jumped, letting out a squeak, and spun.  “What the-”

“Don’t do that,” Leon whined, sagging as he glared at Owl.  “Jesus Christ.  You scared the shit out me.  Again.”

“Should pay better attention,” Owl said, making his voice sound more cheerful than he felt.  “You should know that I’ll find you after you show up here.”  He glanced toward the other two.  “Especially when you bring friends.”

“Enough bantering,” James mumbled.  “Can we hurry up?”

Owl looked to him, then back to Leon.  “You guys in a hurry?”

“Not really,” Leon said, shooting James an irritated look.  “We, uh.  Well.”

“Surprise test got added for next week,” Maya said.  She winked at Owl, smiling shyly.  “They’re freaking out.  You might have noticed.”

James’ ears turned red, but he only stared at the ground.  “Oh, fuck me for not wanting to fail.”

“O-Oh,” Owl said, nodding.  Studying.  Now.  Sure, why not.  “Yeah, I gotcha.  Um, we can-”

“Sorry,” Leon mumbled.  “We’ve got some time.  We can come back tomorrow night.  Let’s-”

“Leon’s in the procrastinating phase,” Maya said, leering at her friend.  “You might have noticed that, too.”

Leon scuffed at the floor with his toe, scrunching up his face.  “We’ve got all the time in the world,” Owl heard him mutter.  “No reason to force the matter tonight.”

“It’s fine,” Owl said.  “Yeah.  It’s...You just caught me a little off guard.”

Leon’s brow furrowed.  “If it’s going to be a problem-”

“C’mon,” Owl said, gesturing for them to follow.  “I’d feel like an ass if you jerks failed.”  When they hesitated, momentarily nonplussed, he let out a huff of air.  “Just come with me, okay?”

This time, when he started walking, they followed.  He could feel Leon’s eyes on his back every step of the way.  The bastard was perceptive.  Owl could already hear the questions bubbling from his lips.  But, he didn’t say anything - he just trudged along behind Owl, watching silently.

Owl scanned the doorways