Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 70014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70014 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“Did you bring our librarian lunch?” One of the older mages in town who lived to cause chaos and get attention couldn’t seem to help himself today and stepped closer to us. “That’s not a council duty. I think that’s personal.”
He needed a fucking hobby or a few more great-grandkids to chase after.
“Yes, that’s definitely enough food for two.” A slightly younger nosy neighbor couldn’t resist helping.
“Did you bring him dessert? Kenzie says littles always get dessert.” That wonderfully fascinating question came from another older resident and really pointed out to me that too many of them had nothing else but gossip to occupy their time.
Kenzie had the grace to look slightly guilty at having his words used to torment Stefan, but my cute librarian went five different shades of red as Chris was smart enough to realize he should probably escape while he could.
So as he waved to Mr. Librarian and nearly ran out the door, I turned toward the crowd. “The library is closed. Please bring your book to the circulation counter right now if you want to check out. Everyone else needs to leave before I call the sheriff and have him send over Kenzie’s Daddy. To help you remember your manners.”
The whole situation had gotten out of control.
We made progress, though. Two women who had legitimate library business pushed their way to the front and started talking to Stefan, and several people inched toward the main door. But there were always a few stubborn old men in every group that I just wanted to toss out on their asses.
“We’ve got to make sure Mr. Librarian is being taken care of. He might be confused about things.” Mr. Kennedy had to step up and keep pushing. “He likes information and we need to take care of him before…well, before they keep him. He’s ours, you know.”
If Stefan hadn’t already known about dragons, he would’ve thought we were some kind of cult…or worse.
“For the love of—” Before I could let the old fart have it, Stefan decided to save the old man’s wrinkly ass.
“Boyd has made sure I have a good starting knowledge of the local culture and we’re going to be working our way through local history. So there’s no need to worry.” Stefan’s subtle way of talking around the whole dragons and mages thing was impressive.
“I appreciate you wanting to watch out for me, but Boyd is doing a wonderful job.” Stefan took a breath and smiled, trying to look confident in the face of nosy chaos. “And I am not a book you get to purchase, Mr. Kennedy. I will get to know all of our wonderful citizens in time.”
I’d hoped that would settle the issue but I was stupid.
“Getting to know everyone is commendable, but I’m sure you understand that some of our citizens carry more…more knowledge than others.” Ms. Elizabeth, one of the women who came in to help out around the library, was doing her best to be subtle, but mages weren’t any better than dragons when it came to that kind of stuff. “There are just certain parts of our citizenry that are more…well, I’m sure you understand why knowing the right people is important.”
Mages were such dicks even when they didn’t have dicks. Book smarts didn’t count for everything, no matter what they thought.
I thought Mr. Kennedy was going to take a swing at her—they’d dated probably sixty years ago when they were both young and local gossip said it’d been a bad breakup.
She was fast when it came to causing problems and Mr. Kennedy always forgot that. Just last year he’d had to be rescued from the top of the flagpole in front of the post office because they’d started arguing about the price of stamps. But Stefan stepped in to save them both.
“As I said, I am not a book and I’ve gotten to know a lot of lovely people.” Stefan stood, giving Ms. Elizabeth a glare that said she wasn’t one of them. “However, if we’re discussing where my personal associations will be focused, I am dating Boyd.”
He managed to say that without blushing or looking worried, which I thought was because he was a bit pissed at her for calling the dragons stupid and basically the local version of white trash.
“Now, this is my lunch and I’m sure you remember the library closes early on Wednesday.” Giving everyone a stern glare that was sexy as hell, Stefan even crossed his arms. “My personal life is not up for debate or discussion. Thank you for visiting the library and come again when you want a book.”
They actually started leaving.
I was impressed.
There were a few stragglers who looked like they had questions, but they were smart enough to eventually head to the door. They weren’t in any hurry, though, and even Kenzie was frustrated with them by the time the last straggler made their way out the door.