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

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Owl walked.

The Library seemed even quieter than usual.  There was hardly a squeak of floorboards to mark his passage, only the faintest rustling of his coat’s hem as it billowed behind him.

Alexandria was waiting.  He could feel it - the stillness of the air, the sensation that the whole place was holding its breath.

He chuckled, leaning over to knock his head against one of the bookshelves.  “Calm down,” he said.  “You’d think it’s your first damn time getting a visitor.”

Even those brief words rang out too loud against the quiet.  Every nerve in his body quivered, as though a grey-haired old hag with horn-rim glasses was about to leap out and shriek at him to keep his voice down.

He was alone, of course.  If he wasn’t, the place wouldn’t feel like it did.

Owl reached up all the same, running his gloved hands over his hood, the collar of his coat.  Both were right where they should be, buttoned up snug.  He tugged on his mask, and the reassuring firmness of the straps tugged back.

He was set.  He was good.  So stop worrying about it, he hissed - both to himself and to Alexandria.

Something caught his eye as he walked on - a set of books stacked on the corner of a table.  He turned toward them automatically, sighing at the sight.  There were so few.  “You know, if you want to keep me busy, you should actually give me some work to do,” he muttered.

There was no helping it.  He grabbed the first one off the stack, turning to the shelves.  He’d already packed up his own work, shuttling Crow’s journal and his notes on magic into his personal quarters.  The final act before he left his office behind was to set shutters over the barred windows, blocking the interior from sight entirely.

Maybe it was overkill.  Okay, it was almost certainly overkill.  But he was the Librarian, and there were strange things afoot.  If there was any question about someone being in the Library with ill intent, then he had to take every precaution.  His office was secure.  His room was more secure.

Another book off the stack.  He slowed, grabbing the remaining few.  “I get it,” he said, smothering a grunt as the weight hit his arms.  “You’re anxious too.  But-”  He shoved them onto an empty shelf one after another.  “Giving me fifty million short tasks isn’t any better than one meaty job, Alex.”

The Library groaned in response, filling the air with the creaking of wood.

Owl made a face, leaning against the shelf beside him.  “Or would you rather I-”

Bells screamed out overhead.  Owl jumped, springing back to bolt-upright before he’d even processed the noise.  His limbs quivered as he stood frozen, a statute among the books.

Don’t be surprised, his thoughts screamed.  You knew it was coming.

He nodded, swallowing hard.  Right.  He had.  And now...it was time.

“Well, Alex,” Owl said, lifting his eyes to the skylights.  “Wish me luck.”

The bells continued their song as he turned, striding back through the wing.

As he walked, his hands roamed his coat, his hood, his mask.  It didn’t matter that he’d checked it all before - everything had to be perfect.  He wouldn’t let himself be exposed, not when the guildmaster’s assistant was coming in.  That sounded like a great way to get himself hunted down by frustrated scholars.  But every button his fingers explored was tightly-fastened.  Every strap pulled snug.

He gave up as the double doors of the entryway appeared before him, the lanterns flickering merrily.  His hands fell to his sides.  Owl hesitated a moment longer, taking a deep breath.

When he eased the door open, his guests looked up.

“Sorry,” he said, flashing a smile they’d never see.  “Am I late?”

His eyes drifted over them, taking stock.  Olivia he already knew, her honey-colored hair damp in patches and her eyes gleaming.  Her partner...Owl eyed him a moment longer.  Will, the forms had said.  Will looked like a strong wind might snap him in half, rising over Olivia in an ungainly mess of gangly limbs and limp brown hair.

As though sensing Owl’s eyes on him, he smiled, only a little nervously.  “H-Hi.  Um.  Thanks for having us, sir.”

“Owl,” Owl said, the words sliding out on automatic.  “Librarian, if you’re feeling extra-formal, but Owl works just fine.  Not sir.  Never sir.”

Will flushed, stiffening.  “Shit,” Owl heard him mumble.  “S-Sorry.  I-”

“I told you,” Olivia said, bounding forward until she stood right in front of Owl.  “I told you I’d get inside sooner or later.”  She flashed him a grin that spread from ear to ear.

“I suppose,” Owl said.

“That means I win.”

“Is it really a contest?”

She thrust a hand back toward Will, waggling her fingers.  “C’mon, Will.  He’s not...He’s just dressed a little weird.”

“Hey,” Owl said.

“Olivia...” Will said, and his eyes darted up to Owl’s mask.  “I’m...sorry about Olivia, Librarian.  She’s a little excited.”

“I’m getting that impression,” Owl said dryly.

“Don’t give me that,” Olivia mumbled, her cheeks starting to glow.  “I just- can we go in?”  Her embarrassment disappeared in an instant, her exuberance returning.  “I could hardly fall asleep at all.  Can I-”

“Hold up,” Owl said, snagging her elbow as she tried to dart past him.  “Let me stamp you.”

“O-Oh,” Olivia said.  Her eyes went wide, and she nodded, going still again.  “Right.  Sorry.”

Will shifted behind her, pressing a hand to his face.  “Jesus Christ.”

“It’ll just take a minute,” Owl said.  He bit back a laugh at the look on Olivia’s face.  She was trying so damn hard, at least, fighting to keep her expression neutral, but her eye kept twitching.  “Sit tight for like thirty seconds here.”

“I get it,” she said.  “No problem.”

Owl stepped past them, chuckling to himself.  No problem - but he got the impression if he turned his back for more than a few seconds, she’d charge straight on in.  The rack of cards waited on the wall, with two already slotted in and ready to go.  He pulled them free,