The Library (The Librarian of Alexandria Book 1) by Casey White (surface ebook reader .TXT) 📕

in the back of his mind, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

Forcing it away, he turned, leading the pair deeper into Alexandria.

- Chapter Twenty-One -

He’d always thought being the Librarian was supposed to be at least a little glamorous.

Owl chuckled sourly to himself, carrying the two trays loaded with plates out of the Library’s inner rooms.  Any dreams he’d had of such recognition had long since died - but serving as waiter just rubbed salt in the wound.

Alan and Dylan sat in the center of the study, surrounded by heaps of books.  Both were bent over the laptops Alexandria had created for them, alternating between tapping at the keyboards and scrawling words into journals.

Owl breathed a sigh of relief at the sight.  Both had been nothing but studious since they arrived, which was a damned pleasure for once.  It was unspeakably nice to not have to worry about them flitting around, starting fires or dropping bookshelves onto each other.  They’d been perfect guests, in fact, besides for-

The dishware in his hands clinked.  Alan’s chin lifted - and his eyes snapped over to Owl, razor-sharp.

There, again, Owl felt a shiver run down his spine.  Something just felt different when Alan looked at him.  Nothing wrong, mind - he just couldn’t quite shake the feeling that the man could see right through him.

That’s his job, he told himself.  He’s an anthropologist.  This is what he does.

Even with the reassurances, the prickling of his skin continued as he set the trays down on the table.  The smell of something glorious wafted up, something stewed with beef and carrots and potatoes and just the right blend of rosemary and oregano.  “There,” he said, standing with a sigh.  “Alexandria took its best guess on dinner.  If you’d like something else, that can be arranged.”

Their eyes lit up.  Owl smiled faintly.  I think it was a good guess.  Nice going, Alex.  “If you have any requests for help, just let me know,” he said.  “I can fetch new texts for after you’re done eating.  Otherwise, I’ll be...around.”  Alexandria would make sure he was close at hand if they needed help, he thought sourly.

Turning away, he took a step and-

“I have to say, I’m not sure I understand all this,” Alan said.

Owl turned back around.  The man peered down at his meal, lifting a forkful free of the dish.  “What’s that?” Owl said, perfectly polite.

Alan waved the forkful of vegetables around, his brow furrowing.  “Food.  Eating.  We’re in a dream, yes?”

Ah.  This conversation.  Owl nodded slowly, squaring off for what he just knew was going to be a long discussion.

They always seemed to be, with this man.

“Yes,” he said.  “Alexandria is...best described as a dreamscape, of sorts.  You don’t-”

“So it’s in my head,” Alan said.

“Yes,” Owl said, a little more firmly.  “So you don’t-”

“So why do I have to eat?”

“You don’t have to,” Owl said, glaring daggers at the man despite his best efforts.  “I believe I told you this when you entered.”

“He did,” Dylan said, shrugging sheepishly.  “Sorry, Librarian.”

“It’s not a problem,” Owl said, forcing himself to settle.  This wasn’t his first time dealing with a nosy researcher, damn it.  Even still, something about Alan just got under his skin.  Something about the way he always had to pick and prod, like he was cutting Owl and the Library bare with his every word.  “Many guests find it comforting to keep up their old routines.  That’s all.”

“If it’s in my head, why do I still have to take a shit after?”  Alan said, still peering at the food.

Dylan burst out into full-on sniggers, looking between his colleague and Owl.  Owl just stared, mute.

Damn it.  He would have thought that by the time they collected enough accolades to make it to Alexandria, scholars would be a little more...mature.  He would have thought they wouldn’t behave like goddamned children.

And yet time and time again, they proved him wrong.

Alan was grinning by then, but when he looked back to Owl, that same perfect sharpness was waiting in his eyes.  “Sorry, sorry.  Like you said.  Habits, right?”

“Precisely,” Owl said, fighting to keep from grinding his teeth together. “Remember about the book requests.  Now, if you’ll excuse me-”

“How’s sleeping work, then?” Alan said.  “We’re sleeping while asleep?  Dreaming within a dream?  That doesn’t make any sense?”

“It’s magic,” Owl said, bowing slightly.  “Alexandria compensates however she chooses.  You may rest assured that you may rest within the Library, and she won’t send you home.  Now, I must-”

“But, then, looking at matters the other way, it’s complicated too, isn’t it?” Alan said, dropping his fork into the dish and leaning back in his chair.  His eyes never left Owl’s face, though, and he didn’t so much as blink.  “We get here by sleeping, right?”

“O-Obviously,” Dylan said, laughing nervously.  He kept looking between his friend and Owl, the blood slowly draining from his face.  “Come on, Alan.  Let’s not-”

“It’s just an observation.”

Yes, Owl thought, still glaring at Alan.  It was just one question.  They were all just one question, respectively.  But from the moment he’d waltzed into the Library, all of those ‘just one questions’ had added up into a massive, hulking mound of questions.

“Like I said,” he said, clamping down on all the niggling little thoughts that threatened to come spilling out.  “The Library compensates.  It’s magic.  If it wants people to be sleeping to enter, well, it’ll take them when they’re sleeping.”  He chuckled softly, shaking his head.  “Or it’ll make them sleep.”

“But what-”

“Mr. Alan,” Owl said, raising a hand.  “I appreciate that you have questions.  But I do think your time and attention would be better spent on your studies, rather than worrying about the Library and how it functions.  Worry about what you’re supposed to be here for, he spat silently.  And leave Alexandria out of this.

Dylan nodded along, bobbing his head in agreement with Owl’s words, but Alan only frowned.  He turned away at last, wrinkling his nose and reaching for his fork