Page 16 of Myths and Manuscripts
“First, tell me what changed your mind.” I pinned her with my most imposing stare. “You were so dead set against writing this book yesterday. I don’t buy that you had a change of heart.”
“Caught me.” She picked up a book, flipping through the pages without really looking at them. “My Gran heard about the competition and thought it would be a great opportunity for me, so yeah, I’m doing it to make her happy. I promise I’ll give it my all, but...” Her fingers brushed tentatively over the cover of the most recent book in my series before pulling away from it. “I’ll admit that I haven’t read the newest book yet.”
“Wait, you haven’t even read all the books??” I shoved the book in question at her. “Here. Read it as fast as you can.”
She glanced from me to the thick book. “Right now? With you staring at me?”
“Oh how the tables have turned.” I grimaced, knowing exactly how strange it was to read with somebody watching you. “Okay, maybe you can save that for later. You’re familiar with the other books, right?”
“The early ones yes, I’ve reread them multiple times.” She tilted her head, staring at the rest of the books on the table. “The later ones I’m a little fuzzier on.” I must have been letting my frustration show because she raised her hands defensively. “What? You’re the one who asked me to write this, remember?”
Oh, I remembered. It sounded like a perfect idea at that time, but I just assumed she knew the series like the back of her hand. Everyone else seemed to and wouldn’t shut up about it. No wonder she hadn’t bombarded me with questions like everyone else: she wasn’t a super fan.
Any other day that would be refreshing, but right now it felt like a bucket of cold water. If we were going to pull off this ending, Ineededa super fan.
I sighed. “This would be so much easier if you could step inside my book like I can. Then you’d be surrounded by the story, living it.”
And probably running in terror because of the war that was about to happen between the demons and the hero. Maybe it was a good thing she couldn’t come inside my book. It was no place for somebody as warm and kind as her.
“Too bad jumping into books isn’t a thing,” she said with a laugh. “I’m sorry, just give me a day or two. I’ll refresh myself on everything and catch up on the last book. Then we can start planning.”
“Fine, go read, but don’t forget a single detail.”
“Yes, My Lord!” She saluted me with mock seriousness before turning to leave. “I’m going to need a cozier chairthough.”
Before she made it two steps away, the book in her arms started glowing with a warm golden light. She stopped, turning back to look at me as if I’d know what was going on. Then all of the other books in my series started glowing too until the table was bathed in sunlight.
“What in the nine realms,” she muttered, walking back to the table. “What’s happening?”
Warmth spread through my connection to the library, like it was telling me it would all be okay. Which only made this whole situation stranger. That light looked like the light that appeared when we were going in or out of our books. Why would that be happening now?
The last book’s cover flipped open. I had a really bad feeling about this.
“Hold on–”
The light engulfed me before I could finish. I blinked, waiting for it to dim. The stone walls surrounding me were instantly recognizable: we were inside my castle. But this wasn’t like every other time I’d gone into my book, because this time, I wasn’t alone.
Willow was right beside me, inside my book! Her red hair was the brightest color in the drab room and her green eyes were full of confusion.
No, no, no. This was not happening. Had the library heard me joking about her stepping inside my book? I hadn’t been serious! It was too dangerous, too unpredictable.
I clenched my hands. “We need to leave. Now.”
“No way.” She shook her head as her gaze swept across the barren room. “Not until you tell me what just happened. We were in the library and then poof, we’re...where are we exactly?”
If I told her, she’d probably get excited and refuse to leave, but this magic was a big unknown. Had a human ever goneinside a book before? How would it affect her?
“This isn’t part of the library.” Willow ran her fingers over the cold stone slab against the far side of the room, frowning. “Is this...a bed? Who would sleep on something so uncomfortable?”
“Me.” I sighed. There was no way she’d let this go without an explanation. “We’re in my room. In my castle.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait, we’re inside your book? I didn’t know you could do that! Why didn’t you say something?”
“Ican’tdo that.” And even if I could, I wouldn’t have. “It’s got to be the library trying out new magic. Misty’s the one who brought us out of our books, so it makes sense that it would be involved with you coming inside.”
“That is so cool.” Her excitement faded a bit as she studied the rest of the sparse gray room. “But is this really where you live? It feels so harsh and uncomfortable. The books always had such vivid descriptions, but this just...”
Her voice trailed off like she didn’t want to insult me.
