The Library (The Librarian of Alexandria Book 1)

by Casey White

  “Damn it, Alexandria,” he said, shaking his head.

  But there was a smile on his face as he started to walk.

  - Chapter Twenty -

  Owl rocked back and forth in his chair, his eyes running over the lines of code stretching out before him.

  He’d been so confident, at the start. A new project would be fun, he’d told himself. It’d be good to break away from his old research, and the market model was all but set for the next handful of real-world years.

  He had all the money he’d need, he’d told himself. He needed something more. And the AI project would be...worthwhile. A project of this complexity could take him decades or more of real world time - which meant even longer inside, of course. It’d be the purpose he’d been looking for. Once he’d built the framework, he could rebuild a new Alexandria outside. Maybe.

  And yet...the spark was missing. It just didn’t catch him like it should. And he didn’t know what to do about that.

  Owl leaned back, stretching his arms over his head with a groan. Alexandria had been keeping the Library blissfully cold, at least. The world outside was heating up with the furnace of summer, which left his day trips a muggy, swampy mess of sweat and suffering. Faced with that, being stuck inside was almost...pleasant.

  His eye caught on the sleeve of his jacket, and he smiled faintly. The fact that he had to stay cloaked and masked day-in day-out made the need for some proper Alex-sponsored air conditioning even more pointed. Not that he appreciated being made to wear the uniform constantly, but with people popping in and out as they pleased, he didn’t have a lot of-

  Bells chimed. Owl stopped, glancing up. About that time, was it?

  Fair is fair, he whispered to himself. It’d been a good while since he’d unlocked the door. They had to arrive eventually. Making a face, he grabbed the arms of his chair and stood.

  The mask slid over his face as comfortably as ever. He did up the straps by habit alone, pushing out through his office’s door as he yanked the hood up.

  The bells followed him out, screaming in his ear as he latched his office closed. He glanced back toward the bars, hesitating.

  Each time visitors entered the Library, he found himself worrying more and more for his research. It didn’t matter that his office was secluded on the second floor, out of reach of their guests. It didn’t matter that the whole thing was sealed in, locked up tight behind sturdy doors and iron bars. If even one of them slipped in and got their eyes on what he’d been studying...

  Owl shivered, his fingers lingering on the cold metal of the latch. If they were to carry knowledge of his projects back to reality with them, it could have long-lasting repercussions. Even the AI project he’d been working on...if a prototype made it outside, never mind his own safety. It could destabilize everything.

  He gave the door one last solid, careful tug, making sure the lock had fully engaged, and then turned for the stairs down.

  * * * * *

  “Give it a rest,” Owl whispered as he grabbed the handle of the entryway’s doors. Alexandria’s bells tolled out once more, stubborn to the end, then died away.

  The figures within looked up at his approach. Three of them. He nodded, inspecting each for a long moment before-

  Wait. His spine stiffened. Three? He’d only stamped two visitors for entrance. Then why was-

  “Good evening,” Olivia said, raising her hand in a sheepish wave. She stood in the center of the room, a little farther forward than her two companions - the two guests, Owl knew. She had the decency to at least look embarrassed about the whole matter.

  “Miss Olivia,” Owl said, blinking at her from behind his lenses. “Oh. I didn’t...”

  “Indira wanted to make sure everything went smoothly,” Olivia said. “It’s important to us that you...that this relationship remains healthy.” Her eyes flashed to the pair alongside her. “And this time, we wanted to ensure our members understood the importance of their good behavior.”

  Owl chuckled to himself, glancing at the two scholars. Their good behavior, eh? The two men were at that moment staring around the entrance hall in slack-jawed awe, drinking in the sight of the wooden rafters studded with lanterns.

  “I’m sure they’ll be fine,” he said.

  “Quite,” Olivia said, flashing a grin his way. “We’ve...been more careful, with this selection group. I don’t believe you’ll have any issues. But if you do-”

  “I can handle myself,” he said, arching one eyebrow at her. “Two visitors isn’t beyond what I can deal with. Thanks, though.”

  ‘R-Right,” Olivia said, deflating. “Yes, of course.”

  Owl waited. Olivia fidgeted, rocking back and forth. The two guests gaped.

  “Was there something else?” he said at last.

  Her eyes flicked to the doors leading inside. “N...o. No. No, I just...Indira wanted me to be quite sure that-”

  “I still can’t let you see inside Alexandria,” Owl said.

  Olivia jumped. She turned to him, her face scrunched up. “I wasn’t...I know you already said that-”

  “You’re really not that subtle,” he said, and started to laugh.

  With the ripples of his laughter echoing across the entryway, Olivia’s shoulders drooped - then rose precipitously. “Oh, come on,” she said, starting to flush. “I’m trying, here.”

  “Do you want it that bad?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “Really?” she said. “You’re telling me that if someone told you there was a giant magical library right there, lurking right out of reach, you wouldn’t want to get in and see it?”

  “Well, I-”

  “Bullshit,” she said, then clapped a hand over her mouth. The color that’d started to rise in her cheeks exploded across the rest of her face.

  “Language,” he said, his laughter growing. Softly, but growing in volume, he heard the two guests joining in.

  “You know what I mean,” she muttered.

  “I do,” Owl said. “I think I get it. But the rules haven’t changed, I’m afraid.”

  Her expression turned mulish. “Even if I ask nicely?”

  “No.”

  “Even if I just wanted to peek in and-”

  “No,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. The two visiting scholars were starting to fidget, their eyes flitting between Owl and Olivia.

  “Fine,” she said, flashing a crooked grin at him. “I suppose. You can’t keep it secret forever, you know.”

  “Really, I can,” he said.

  “Fine. Fine!” she said. “I suppose.” Her smile softened. “Who knows. Maybe one day I’ll come here for real. Fair and everything.”

  “Oh?” Owl said, brightening. “Then you’re-”

  “Do you really think Indira would let someone hang around the Booklenders without having the qualifications to earn it?” Olivia said, and it was her turn to raise an eyebrow at him. “I’ll have you know I’ve been waist-deep in historian business for almost ten years.”

  Owl paused, looking her up and down. She didn’t look like she could be much older than him, and he was only twenty-one. “Bullshit.”

  The two visitors jumped at his curse, going wide-eyed all over again. Olivia didn’t flinch. If anything, her grin spread wider. “Okay, I’m rounding up,” she said. “Sue me. I know my stuff. I’m not gambling on anything, mind, I’m just saying maybe.”

  “We’ll see,” Owl said. “Your qualifications will be the judge of that, if you really want to visit.”

  “I’m not afraid,” Olivia said.

  “No, you’re certainly not,” he said, his voice low. The very air around her reeked with confidence - but was it deserved? Was this all just a mess of bravado, or could she back it up? It was hard to tell, through the veneer of raw ambition that seemed to ooze from her skin.

  She’d seemed so shy, before, he thought wistfully. So polite. And then all of that had vanished so quickly.

  “A-Anyway,” Olivia s
aid, twitching as though coming back to reality. As though finally realizing exactly where it was they stood, and why she was here. “We really do hope that this stay is a positive one. And if you ever need it, I’d-”

  “I’m still not mad at the guild,” Owl said. “You can tell Indira that.”

  She grinned again, stumbling back a step. “Yeah. I will. Thank you, Librarian.”

  “Owl.”

  “That.”

  Her steps slowed, though, until she came to a stop a few paces out from the doorway. The two guests were starting to whisper. Owl glanced back at her, his amusement growing. “Out, Miss Olivia.”

  “I was thinking maybe I could just-”

  “Out.”

  She rolled her eyes at his order - and at his finger that jabbed out, pointing toward the exit - but she turned and started plodding toward the door without another word of complaint.

  He watched her go, still amused. He knew what she’d wanted - no doubt, she’d been hoping that he’d let her hang around while the two new scholars slipped into the Library. She’d probably been hoping for a glimpse of the interior, the prize he kept yanking out of her reach.

  No such luck. He waited, patient as time itself, as she came to a stop in front of the Library’s exit.

  “Thank you again,” she said, and this time, the smile she offered him seemed both real and free of snark.

  He inclined his head toward her, spreading his fingers in a tiny wave. “Good night, Olivia.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “Good night, Owl.”

  And then the light blasted out across the entryway, and he was alone with the two scholars.

  They stared at him, wordless.

  Owl stared at the door a moment longer, desperately fighting the urge to run his hands through his hair in sheer exasperation. For the first time in forever, he felt like he’d been thrown off balance. His routine was ruined.

  Well. The first time in forever, if you didn’t count the fact he had outsiders popping up around his halls as they pleased. He exhaled, letting his breath whistle between his teeth, and tried to collect himself again.

  Outsiders in the Library, and guildmembers with dreams beyond their station. He chuckled, shaking his head.

  Well, at least things promised to stay interesting for a while.

  “I’m sorry about that,” he said, turning to the two visitors. “Just a bit of...just a few things I had to straighten out. I’m assuming you’re Alan and Dylan, yes?” At their nods, he smiled. “And I’m assuming you know Indira and the guild?”

  They exchanged glances. “Just...a little,” one said, the taller of the two. Alan, if he was remembering the picture attached to the biography page correctly. “A note saying we’d been selected. That’s about it.”

  “Yeah,” his friend that had to be Dylan echoed.

  “Good. Yeah,” Owl said. Get yourself together. Don’t let her throw you off base like this. There are guests here, damn it.

  When he stood, the floor beneath him creaked gently. He glanced down, taken aback. That was odd. You good? he whispered silently. Sorry. I know I delayed too much. I’ll get them squared away.

  Before the two guests could say another word, he bowed, sweeping one hand toward the door leading in. “If you’ll come this way, we’ll get you settled. And I can explain a little more.”

  Owl glanced back as they trundled toward the door, though, casting a look at the entry hall that’d so-recently been full.

  He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Everything looked normal. Everything had sounded normal, once the too-eager Olivia had departed.

  But somewhere 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 again. “I suppose. Ah...thank you, Librarian.”

  Owl hesitated a moment longer, eyes fixed on the man’s back, but he might as well have gone invisible for all the attention Alan gave him. The dismissal was obvious.