Page 5 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
Elder Theodonna’s laugh echoed across the street before the towering library, reaching me even before I arrived at the massive building. She was standing outside the library, speaking to a gnomish woman holding a massive stack of books. I grinned at them, then turned my attention to the library itself. I smiled at the sight of the wood, stone, and stucco edifice. Moonshine Hollow lore told that the towering building had started as a roadside cart, then transformed into a market stall, then a small building. At some point, the Wyrmwood tree beside the stall had grown large. The elders of Moonshine Hollow dared not cut it since it housed a pack of bookwyrms. Bookish to their core, it was the books themselves that had drawn them in. Some even said the bookwyrms had planted the tree so they could live near the books. So, now, the grand library housed both the tree and the bookwyrms. The current library’s massive structure was one hundred and eleven years old this summer, a very magical birthday, as everyone knew. But the magical, bookish site? Well, that was much, much older.
A whooping laugh reached me once more. I smiled at Elder Theodonna, feeling better at the mere sight of her. In her billowing blue robes and broad, flower-bedecked hat—were those gourds?—flower and gourd bedecked hat, she gave off all the quirky aunt energy a person could ask for. And, like me, she was a little too loud, a little too curvy, and a little too much for some people. But I adored her. She was everything I aspired to be. And she believed in me. Elder Theodonna was certain I would make the party a success even if there were complications.
My eyes shifted to the upper windows of the library.
Complications.
I scanned the windows, expecting to see angry yellow eyes staring back at me. Maybe I’d even find Master Erasmus hunched on the rooftop, glaring at me, but he was not there. As far back as I could remember, I had only seen the gargoyle a handful of times. Once, I’d spotted a massive black shadow moving between the stacks in the library before disappearing once more. And another time, at Hallowmoon, I saw him at the magical marketplace speaking in a shadowy alcove to another gargoyle. I saw him, but I was sure he’d never noticed me.
“Primrose!” Elder Theodonna called. She waved happily at me, gesturing for me to come.
The gnomish woman she’d been chatting with, books under her arms, flashed me a quick smile then headed off.
I shifted my basket full of party ideas and made my way up the steps of the library to greet her.
“Elder Theodonna,” I said with a smile, “good day to you.”
“And to you. Are you ready?”
I nodded. “As I will ever be.”
“Then come, my dear. Let’s go wow them,” she said, taking my arm and leading me inside.
The library was dark and silent. Aside from the large windows, the only other light in the library was from the enchanted candles. But still, the view always took my breath away. The library was one of the most beautiful buildings in Moonshine Hollow. The towering Wyrnwood tree with its ruby-tipped silver leaves towered beautifully. They said that its scarlet-red flowers bloomed at night, but I had never seen it. No one had, much to my father’s, a magical botanist, consternation. But I understood the reason. The bookwyrms were most active at night, and the tree was their home. From where I stood, I could see them lingering in the branches, sleeping or reading. I smiled contentedly at the multiple floors of magical books and people working at the long tables at the center of the room. It was a magnificent space, perfect for a party.
A thin man with round spectacles looked up as we entered, giving Elder Theodonna a worried look as her lingering laughter followed her inside. He quickly glanced over his shoulder at a heavy wooden door just off the side of the main room, then turned back.
Elder Theodonna missed his discomfort entirely.
“Rew, isn’t it?” Elder Theodonna asked. “Good morrow, young man,” she said, slapping the counter and making the man jump. “We are here to meet with Izelda and Tomas.”
“Yes, Elder Theodonna,” he said. “This way.”
The librarian gestured for us to follow him as he led us across the library.
Patrons sat at long, wooden tables looking over scrolls and books. Many of the tomes glowed silver, gold, or blue, their magic shimmering. Moonshine Hollow Library was renowned for its collection of magical books, drawing all young witches, wizards, and anyone interested in a deeper study of magic. I had even borrowed a few tomes on comfort magic, enhancing what came naturally to me from my mix of elven and human blood. A spiral stairwell led upward to the stacks of books overhead. And at the end of the room, in front of the large, two-story window, was the Wyrmwood tree.
One of the bookwyrms, a red-scaled creature with golden eyes, perked up when he saw us. He studied us with curiosity until Rew led us to a small alcove just off the main room.
There, Izelda and Tomas waited, a mixture of emotions playing on their faces.
“Izelda,” I greeted her with a smile. “How good to see you again.”
I had catered her baby shower two years earlier, a cheerful and fun event we had themed around cookies—all the cookies.
“Primrose, how nice to see you. Welcome. And welcome, Elder,” she said, reaching out to shake our hands.
“Izelda,” Elder Theodonna said fondly, greeting her, then turned to Tomas. “And Tomas.”
“Welcome, Elder. Miss Windsong,” Tomas greeted us.
As we settled in, I noticed Izelda and Tomas share nervous looks, both of their gazes drifting behind me.
Looking over my shoulder, I noted that they, like Rew, were looking at the heavy wooden door on the other side of the library. Even from where I sat, I could make out the sign on the door, a bronze plaque that had been enchanted to show a glowing font that read, “No Admittance—Ever” hanging on the door.
I frowned.
“Elder Theodonna, Primrose… We are so delighted to have you here today. We’ve been talking about the library’s birthday party all morning. I’m excited to hear your ideas,” Izelda told me.
