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

the situation was exceptional,” he said quietly, leaning forward.  “You know that.  I want to help them.  But at this rate, they’re a danger to themselves.  I can keep myself safe, I think.”  If he couldn’t, he was far more fucked than he knew.  “But I can’t be forever watching over the two of them.”

He lifted his eyes.  “It’ll be a lie.  But a little one.”

The flames popped, crackling.

“You know I’m not wrong,” he said, unblinking.  “Do you want me to say it outright?  Fine.”  His eyes tightened.  “Shorten their stays.  They’ll never know.  They live and die by your schedules.  So just...hurry them up, a little.  You control the passage of time.”  He clasped his hands together, looking down at last.  “So turn the wheel a little faster.  That’s...that’s the best I’ve got, Alex.”

And then Daniel waited, his mask still hanging free alongside his face and the fire burning at the edge of his vision.  He waited, staring down at the floor underfoot and doing his best not to count the seconds.

Through it all, with every minute that passed, he wondered if he was overstepping.  Maybe it wasn’t that big a deal.  Maybe Alexandria would scoff at his concerns.

Worse still was the idea that Indira might catch wind of the whole mess.  Guests using magic was bad.  The notion of her learning he’d cut their stay short would be disastrous.  Their agreement was a sacred bond, one that’d been enforced since before he was the Librarian at all.  She’d be livid.

What would she do about it?  She couldn’t find him, certainly.  Would she withdraw, and not use the Library at all?  Alexandria would be devastated, he knew.  The Library existed to be read.  But breaking loose of the Library would be the end of the Booklender’s guild.  Surely she wouldn’t walk away from a deal like the one they had.  Not over two guests who’d overreached.

Daniel waited, the thoughts spinning around and around in his head, patiently staring at the floor until the silence of the room burned in his ear and every fiber of his being screamed to move.  It wasn’t a refusal, he knew.  No, Alexandria would make her intentions clear if that was the case.

But still, she seemed...unconvinced.

Finally, when the silence had dragged on beyond his ability to tolerate, he lifted his face.

“You’ve always said it,” Daniel whispered.  “Let no harm come to those within these walls.  I’ve heard the murmurs.  I’ve seen your messages.  I know how seriously you take it.”  He let his head fall forward limply.  “That’s all I’m trying to do here.”

For a long moment, the silence continued.  Daniel closed his eyes, more lost than ever.  What next?  What could he say, what could he do that’d convince her to-

And then the gentle sound of metal squeaking against metal rose in his ears.

His head snapped up.  His eyes fixed on the clock - the clock that was now spinning wildly, the sand pouring out of the hourglasses embedded in its array.  His heart leapt.

“Thanks,” Daniel said, only a little breathlessly.  He jumped up, then, teetering for a moment before regaining his balance.  “I won’t- I know how important this is.  Hopefully it’s a one time thing.  I won’t waste it.”

The flames before him burned brighter, rising up to brush against the bricked-in chimney.

He’d already turned away, clasping his mask back into place and doing up the straps he’d undone.  The metallic sound of the latches undoing themselves groaned across the sitting room a heartbeat before his hip hit the door.

And then he was back out in the Library proper, walking tall again.  It wouldn’t be immediate.  He’d probably have to tolerate the few for another few weeks at a minimum, but it gave him an end to look forward to.

The study doors waited in front of him.  He smiled, reaching out and pushing his way in.  Even if he had to look after the pair for a while longer, he’d-

His blood froze.  His legs stopped, twitching in place.

The study was empty.  The two desks where Alan and Dylan had whiled away the hours had been abandoned - but a half-empty bottle of amber liquid stood atop one.

His heart sank.  They’d decided to go for a walk.  Well...that was good.  They could tire themselves out, and go to bed, and then they’d be a day closer to the Library being his again.

Owl chewed on his lip, his eyes darting this way and that about the study.  His office waited atop the balcony, as though calling for him to come and get some work done.

His feet carried him back into the hallway instead, almost on automatic.  I should check on them.  I should go find Leon.  I should make sure...

The thoughts still screaming in his ears, he strode back into the dark.

* * * * *

Step after step, he hurried down the tiled paths.  Every intersection he came to, he glanced down - and each time, he was greeted with only darkened rooms and deserted studies.

The candles were burning low, he realized.  Alexandria, trying to tell their wandering guests to come home for the night?  They brightened at his approach, casting the next few steps into sharper relief, but faded out just as quickly once he passed.

His steps hastened.  Eyes pricked, he broke into a jog.

They had to be somewhere.  “Alex?” he whispered, his voice pitched low.  “I could...use a hand here.  Would you mind?”

Another few paces fell away before him, his every sense on high alert.  The gentle scraping of stonework moving sent shivers down his spine.

Ahead.  One of the walls - it was sinking before his very eyes, opening to expose another passage behind.  Owl lunged for it with a quiet, thankful noise.

The wing waiting on the other side was as lovely as ever, with towering ceilings dotted with crystalline glasswork and grand chandeliers.  Row after row of narrow shelves rose to fill the expanse, their dark wood standing bold against the dim, soft light.

Owl stepped in - and again,