The Library (The Librarian of Alexandria Book 1) Casey White (classic books for 13 year olds txt) 📖

Owl bit down on a sigh - and as Leon’s hand rose again, his fingers pressing together, Owl narrowed his eyes.

With the next soft crack of fingers sliding off each other, light flared through the hallway.

Leon yelped, throwing his free hand over his mouth before the noise could fully escape.  His eyes were round, fixed on that gently-flickering flame.

“See?” Owl said, reaching out to pat Leon’s shoulder.  “Just like that.”

“Jesus Christ,” Leon breathed.  His fingers spread wide, shaking through the air, and the fire vanished.  “That’s crazy.”

“And if you want it back, all you have to do is-”

Leon snapped his fingers again.  It was a tiny fire, little more than an ember, but it blossomed quickly - along with Leon’s grin.  The man beamed, his face lit by the warm oranges and golds.

“You’ve got it,” Owl said, pretending there wasn’t a pit in his stomach.  “Y-Yeah.  Good.  So, uh-”

“What now?” Leon said, turning on him.  “W-What am I supposed to do with this?  I don’t think I should be starting fires or anything.”

“N-No,” Owl said.  “Please don’t.  Please don’t do this unless it’s needed.  And preferably not fire.”

“So what the hell am I supposed to-”

“All you have to do is keep things normal,” Owl said.  “If you see them trying to do something, whatever it is, just, like...”  He waved his hands, struggling to find the words.  “Take in a mental image of the scene as it is.  Keep them from changing it.  See everything, and, like...lock it in.”

“Uh...” Leon said, making a face.  “Okay.  I guess.  I think that makes sense.”

“And keep practicing that,” Owl said.  “I know this is weird.  You’re doing great.  If it goes wrong...”  He shrugged, taking a step away.  “It is what it is, I guess.  Whatever you can do to help.”

Leon snapped his fingers again.  Another ember sparked to life - bigger, this time.  Leon shook it out immediately, going pale.  “Y-Yeah.  I got it.”  He looked up toward Owl.  “Shouldn’t you go?”

“Stay out of sight,” Owl said.  When he took a step back, though, the tile under his foot wobbled dangerously.  He collected himself, straightening, and glanced over.

Another closet door waited alongside him.  Your doing? he whispered silently.

When he yanked it open, something long and dark waited inside.  He grabbed it loose, his brow furrowing at the soft touch of fabric.

A cloak, he saw as he unfurled it.  Black - No.  Dark brown, with a delicate pattern woven in with dark grey.

He tossed it toward Leon without hesitation.  “This is yours, I think.  Wear that.”

“Oh, fucking sweet,” he heard Leon say.  “Hey.  Do I get a mask, too?  Like yours?”

“I doubt it,” Owl said dryly, casting a look back into the closet.  Well, Alexandria?  A mask? It might help if he gets spotted.  Might make them think he’s me, not-

The closet door slammed shut.  A lock clicked from somewhere inside the frame.

“No mask,” Owl said, taking another step back. “Look. The only asshole running around the Library in a cloak is me.  So...if you don’t get too close to anyone, they’ll probably just think you’re me.  Don’t push it.  Stay out of sight, and-”

“I get it,” Leon said, already swirling the cloak around his shoulders.  A series of dark clasps trailed down the front, holding it closed across the top third of his torso.  “Don’t you have stuff to do?”

Owl took another step away, still locking gazes with Leon.  “Don’t get caught.  If you have to let them get away with something...that’s fine.  Just whatever you do, don’t let them see you.  Don’t-”

“I get it,” Leon said.  “Get the hell out of here.”

Before he could rethink anything, Owl turned, bolting from the hallway.

Alex, he whispered, already pounding down the stone halls.  I need to talk to you.  This isn’t going to fly.  If you’re cool with helping Leon, can I assume you agree?

The Library around him didn’t change.  But the air sat a little heavier in his lungs, as though a weight pressed down on his shoulders.

Is that a yes?

This time, even less of a response was forthcoming.  But, a door halfway down the passage swung open.  Owl darted toward it, swinging through the opening before it could shut again.

The sitting room stretched out before him.  Owl slowed, only breathing a little hard.  His eyes swept across the room, taking it all in - the chairs, the fireplace, the heavily-locked door that led to his quarters.

He already knew what he wanted.  He’d known it for a while, even if he’d tried to tell himself it wasn’t going to work.  He’d be...it’d be playing dirty.  Something about that didn’t seem like it befitted the Librarian.

But he couldn’t let the two run rampant through the Library - and the only other option he could think of was to teach them.

He couldn’t do that.

The elegantly-worked clock sat high over the mantle, its hourglasses pouring out as steadily as ever.  Owl jerked his fingers roughly.

Around the perimeter of the room, each of the doors slammed shut.  Another jerk, and the resounding clank of their bolts driving home filled his ears.

Lifting his hand, he grasped his mask - and undid the clasps, letting it hang free.

The fire burned a little brighter, warming his skin as he stepped toward the centerpiece.

“Look,” Daniel said, collapsing into one of the chairs to stare up at the clock.  “I know it’s wrong.  I know we’d be lying to them.  But I don’t see another way.”

The clock didn’t budge.  Somewhere in the Library rose a steady groan, like the creaking of wood.

“I don’t want to kick them out right now,” Daniel said.  His hands balled up on his knees, gripping the sturdy fabric.  “But I want them gone soon.  No matter what that takes.  Even if it means playing a few games.”

The fire dimmed.  I know what you want, it seemed to say.  He couldn’t quite tell if Alexandria was judging him, or if she agreed.  “I wouldn’t do this unless