Page 80 of Legends and Librarians
Roan sank back onto the bed, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. “What did the story spirits say?”
I swallowed hard. “I think they’re gone too.”
“Let’s go find them then,” he said, taking my hand. “If they’re back in their books, maybe we can lure them out. I’ll get Cerbie’s ball, you can brew some of Lisa’s tea, we’ll find the books, and it’ll all work out.”
His confidence eased my nerves. I nodded. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Simple or not, we’re going to make it work.” He leaned forward to kiss me, his lips light as a feather, before we headed downstairs.
We searched again, trying the doors I couldn’t get into, but they still didn’t budge. Luring the story spirits out hadn’t really worked either, especially since I still didn’t know where their original books were. It was like everyone was hiding from us,but why would they do that? They cared about the library just as much as I did, maybe more.
So why would they disappear on the most important day?
I sank to the floor, resting my back against a bookshelf as I stared out at the library. The decorations mocked me. No matter how prepared we were, the festival was doomed without books. The library had to realize that.
Unless...that was the point.
I stood up slowly, making my way to the great book tree. The library had been nervous about patrons coming back, so nervous that the story spirits had even chased people away. I thought we’d moved past that, but maybe the feeling of abandonment was too painful to really ever go away.
“If something’s wrong, you can talk to me, Misty.” I rested my hand against the great book tree. The bark was rough beneath my fingers. “Did you maybe hide the books because you’re worried about the festival?”
The book tree shivered and a few leaves fell to the ground.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” I said, leaning my forehead against the tree’s bark. How could I not have realized that sooner? Of course the library would be worried after how people had treated it in the past. “But what other option do we have? If we don’t go through with the festival, you’re going to disappear.”
My words were barely above a whisper. I didn’t like saying things like that, but it was true. If the Misty Mountain Library didn’t get the story gods’ blessing this year, it would fade away and be reborn somewhere else where people would appreciate it more. But the library had to realize that we already appreciated it.
That I wouldn’t let it down.
“I know this is hard,” I said, “but I’m here for you. So are Roan and the story spirits and even Willow. You remember her, right? She’s so excited to present her new book today and shechose this library to do it at.”
The book tree shook harder as more leaves fell. Putting more pressure on it wasn’t helping. Roan joined me, raising an eyebrow as if asking if I needed help. I shook my head. This was between me and the library.
“Look, if you really don’t want to participate in the festival, we can call it off.”
I took a deep breath as everything in me resisted the idea. I wasn’t the one in pain, so I didn’t have the right to push my opinions on the library. But I really hoped it would change its mind.
“Think of the story spirits though,” I said, “do you think they’ll still exist if you disappear?”
The book tree’s branches swayed with uncertainty and Roan nodded like I should keep going. I felt a little bad guilting the library into seeing my point of view though.
“It’s up to you,” I said, standing up to join Roan. “If you really don’t want to go through with the festival, I won’t force you. I know that some of the townsfolk hurt you, but that’s all the more reason to give them the chance to make it up to you. To show you that they still care, like I do. I’ll make sure nobody hurts you again.”
“We both will,” Roan said, placing his hand on the tree.
I added my hand next to his. “If you’re scared, let us protect you. Count on us and we’ll do everything we can to make this festival the best it can be.”
The book tree’s branches swayed softly as the creak of a door opening pulled my attention to a nearby closet. Books tumbled out, like a great wave, floating just above the ground so they didn’t get damaged.
“The closet? Really?” I asked wryly. “Okay, let’s get everything back on the shelves.”
The books flapped in the air, soaring to their originalpositions. Everything might just work out after all, as long as the town really did show up. A sense of nervousness tightened my stomach, but I chose to ignore it because the library needed me to be confident right now and put on a brave face.
The final ceremony of the Tales and Tomes Festival would be starting soon.
Chapter 29
Nyssa
