Page 14 of Legends and Librarians
I shuddered. I’d read so many books about gods and magical beasts, but had never really considered what it would be like meeting them in person. How was I supposed to run a library filled with story spirits that would terrify half the visitors just by existing?
Roan moved closer to me, leaning in to whisper. “The moment you don’t feel safe, let me know. I’ll get you out of here no matter what.”
I studied him carefully, from his sword to the confident way he held himself. “You really would wrangle all these stories for me, wouldn’t you?”
“Without a second thought,” he said, staring at me with an intensity I wasn’t accustomed to. “But that’s not like any story I’ve ever seen.” He nodded at the golem. “That, Miss Librarian, is a giant.”
I smiled and shook my head. “I’ll explain later.”
Roan looked like the kind of man who wouldn’t let you down, who wouldn’t stop until the job was done. So what exactly was he doing here? Did he have a mission I didn’t know about? Or did he come back for...me?
“We’re here,” Lisa said as she paused outside a conference room. “Are you ready?”
That didn’t really matter. I’d walk in there, ready or not. I had to. I took a deep breath, and after one last look at Roan, I strode inside the room, blinking as the evening sun shone through the few intact windows.
“You again,” a familiar growly voice said from across the room. “I thought I told you to leave.”
Oh no, not the demon who’d kicked me out earlier. Anyone but him. I was about to plead my case, but an adorable, fluffy red panda caught my eye. He was sitting on a chair like a human, drinking bubble tea of all things.
“He’s so —”
“Don’t say it,” the demon commanded. “Mochi is not a pet. He’s in charge here.”
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at a demon calling a cute red panda Mochi. This was not what I’d expected at all when I walked into this room. How was I even supposed to reason with a panda? Give him food and hope he liked me?
Mochi chittered adorably while Lisa took a chair beside him.
The demon rolled his eyes and joined them too. “Mochi wants you to sit down,” he grumbled. “I’m apparently not allowed to throw you out yet.”
Roan and I glanced at each other before he answered. “So, you can understand the panda?”
“Of course I can,” the demon snapped. “Can’t you?”
I leaned closer as Mochi chittered with Lisa about something, she nodded and smiled, but it all just sounded likepanda talk to me. He took a sip of his tea, rocking back and forth in his chair like he was having a great time. Well, at least he seemed happy. That had to be good for me.
“No, but we can make this work,” I said, sitting down across from them. “Hello, Mochi, my name’s Nyssa. I’m a librarian sent here to revitalize the Misty Mountain Library. I’ll repair anything that needs repairing and breathe new life into the grounds so we can reopen the doors to the public. Does that sound good to you?”
Mochi munched on a piece of boba, then squawked at us a few times.
“He wants to know why you’re here now,” Lisa translated. “It’s been years since the old librarians abandoned this library, giving up after the wild magic storm. Nobody’s come back here since.”
“Well, everyone was waiting for the library to heal itself.” I paused whenthe demon’s glare hardened, “but that’s not a good excuse. I had to wait for an endowment so I’d have the money to do the repairs.”
The demon leaned back in his chair slightly. Phew. Saved myself there. Demons were a tough crowd.
“And you couldn’t visit?” Lisa asked. “Not even once in those long years since you were here last?”
“How did you know I’d been here before?” I frowned. “Did I mention that?”
Mochi slurped the last of his tea and scurried off his chair to hop in Roan’s lap. He stood up, paws on Roan’s shoulders, inspecting him. Roan didn’t move, didn’t even flinch.
“Mochi wants to know what he’s doing here,” Lisa said. “We’ve had...bad experiences with other adventurers. Is he going to harm us?”
“No, of course not!” I stared at Roan. “Right?”
He held his hands up. “As long as nobody hurts us, I won’tdo a thing.”
“See? All good,” I said, wringing my hands. “Does that mean I can stay?”
