Page 37 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
Soft music drifted through the wine cellar like a gentle invitation. “Well, that’s not obvious at all,” I said with a laugh, taking another sip. “The mysterious witch’s wine cellar has a romantic ambience. How could that possibly be a bad idea?” I asked, rolling my eyes in jest.
Erasmus huffed a laughed. “When it comes to the witch, everything suggests ‘bad idea.’”
“Except the wine. This wine definitely says good idea. Cheers to being trapped by a centuries-old matchmaker.”
Erasmus nearly choked on his wine. “Matchmaker?”
“Oh, come on. Wine cellar, dim lighting, romantic music? She’s either trying to get us drunk enough to solve her puzzle, or she’s playing matchmaker from beyond the grave. Is it grave? You weren’t so clear about that.”
“Well, her death is not so clear.”
“So, she could literally be here somewhere?”
“It’s possible.”
“Fun,” I said, then took another sip of the wine. I was trying to stay upbeat, but my heart was slamming in my chest. We were trapped. There was no obvious way out. And the witch… The witch was playing games. While magic was commonplace in Moonshine Hollow, it was never used maliciously. The witch’s intent was unclear, but the vibe was certainly telling.
And truth be told, I didn’t altogether mind being trapped with Erasmus.
“If I were a witch who hoarded wine this good, I’d haunt my mysterious wine cellar too,” I said, trying to keep the mood light.
Erasmus finished his cup then refilled both our drinks. Sipping once more, he looked around the room. “We should focus on escaping,” Erasmus said, though I noticed he didn’t put down his cup.
“Absolutely. But just for this moment, the wine deserves our attention. And it will definitely taste better with cheese,” I said, then began unpacking my basket. I knew I should have been panicking. I knew I should have been running around the room in fear. The witch had trapped us, and there was no means of escape, but for some reason, a feeling of calm had washed over me. I unpacked my basket, setting out cheese, grapes, and the mood-soothing muffins Zarina had given me. “Maybe if we eat a little something, it will give us time to think like a mischievous witch,” I said, handing Erasmus a hunk of cheese.
He took it from my hand, his gaze meeting mine. “Do you really think so?”
“Not at all, but it’s better than panicking. And this cheese and wine pairing will be divine.”
At that, Erasmus laughed, then took a bite, following it with a sip of wine.
“Well?” I asked.
“You’re right. Better than my usual rations.”
“Rations?”
“I… I’m not much for cooking, and there is no space here in the library.”
“Nowhere to cook? Then, what do you eat?” I asked, realizing I’d never actually seen Erasmus’s living quarters save for his study.
“I purchase a few goods from the village, a little bread, fruit, maybe some nuts. It is enough.”
At that, my heart broke. How many years had he lived in such a manner, never sharing a meal with others, just chewing on stale bread alone? “I…” I began, but didn’t know what to say. “You need one of these too,” I said, handing him one of the muffins. “From The Sconery.”
“Do you always carry muffins with your business papers?”
“Only when I’m trying to win over snackish bookwyrms.”
He chuckled.
As we drank, we came up with several ideas on how to break the spell.
“The witch will not choose something obvious or too serious,” Erasmus said. “It is not in her nature. If anything, it will be ridiculous.”
“Hmm,” I mused, eyeing the door and realizing the wine had gone to my head a lot faster than I realized. “Let me try a song. That sounds ridiculous enough. How about a song, Witch Eyreaway? Would you like that?” Standing before the door, I warbled the Moonshine Hollow anthem. I was not a great singer by any means, but I knew the words and could carry a tune well enough.
But when I was done, nothing happened.
