Page 40 of Legends and Librarians
Did I...want to stay?
I rubbed my hand over my chest, suddenly feeling like something was lodged there. If I didn’t tell her soon, I might stay here for another week and then another. And then it would be even more painful to leave.
“I have to go,” I said abruptly. “The library’s all fixed up, so the bet’s over. I’m going to go pack up.”
Nyssa froze. “What?”
My mouth went dry. I cleared my throat, avoiding the surprised look on her face. “The library’s healing wonderfully and you’re doing amazing as the librarian. I’m really glad I could help you with your dream, but I’ve got to get back to the other people who need my help too.”
I forced myself to turn away from her, to walk up the stairs to the room we’d been sharing, and pack my things up as if nothing was wrong. I was an adventurer. Moving on was what I did.
Nyssa stood at the bottom of the stairs, blocking my path.
“Are you really leaving? Just like that?” Her expression looked panicked and a little angry as her hand gripped the railing. “You don’t even want to see your hard work pay off? See all the patrons return for the festival?”
That was the problem: I did want that. She’d workedsohard. She deserved to flourish alongside this library. I wanted to see the joy on her face when that first patron walked through the door and commented on how nice the library looked. Or when somebody pet Cerbie instead of running away in terror.
I wanted it all.
But wanting something that badly was the most dangerous emotion I’d ever felt.
Hope only led to disappointment.
As she stood at the bottom of those stairs, all I saw was my childhood self, waiting and waiting for my parents to come back, but they never did. That hope each time the door opened was torture and I wouldn’t put myself in that position again.
One way or another, we would disappoint each other. I’d rather we left as friends, able to be proud of the library’s success.
“I’m sorry,” I said, swallowing my emotions. “I know you’ll make the festival amazing and the story spirits will help you. You don’t need me anymore and this was always a temporary arrangement.”
She dropped her gaze, moving aside slightly to let me pass. Each step felt heavier, like my feet were turning to stone, but it had to be done.
“I might notneedyou,” she said softly, “but what if Iwantyou?”
My eyes widened as I turned back, her words the exact opposite of what my thoughts had been earlier. Nyssa met my gaze, walking brazenly toward me. She...wanted me to stay?
What was I supposed to say to that? Sorry, but I didn’t want to?
My pulse raced. I couldn’t lie to her, but I couldn’t stay either. I hadn’t been this torn since I left the guild. I cared about her and about this library, but I’d cared about the guild master and Jade too, like family. I knew how this would end up if I stayed.
“Sorry to interrupt...whatever this is,” the Demon Lord said with no concern in his voice at all, “but adventurers are coming up the mountain.”
It took a second for his words to sink in, but once they did, my hand flew to my sword.
“What?” I cursed, racing outside.
If they were here, it had to be for the haunted library missions. I’d taken them all to avoid that though. Unless those contractors had posted a new one. They were probably here to dispel the so-called spirits.
“What should we do?” Nyssa asked, glancing at the shadows oozing off the Demon Lord like they wanted to devour somebody. “Feels like this could get out of hand real quick.”
She was right. The Demon Lord was the last story spirit I’d want the guild to meet, not the first.
“Go back in your book,” I told him. “Let me handle this.”
He scoffed. “Like I’d trust you. You’re an adventurer too.”
“And I’m higher ranked than almost anyone who’d come here,” I said, trying to reassure Nyssa. “It’ll be fine. They know me, so if I explain the situation, I’m sure they’ll understand.”
Nyssa’s eyebrows pinched together. “Are you sure?”
