Nyssa's Point of View

Chapter 15

Four adventurers sauntered into the courtyard, three men and a woman. They were joking and laughing about something I couldn't quite hear, but their gazes were taking everything in, like they expected to be ambushed at any time. The man in front's eyes hardened as he spotted Roan.

Roan.

I hadn't even had time to process what he'd said about leaving before this group showed up, but now wasn't the time to ask him about his feelings.

"That guy seems like he knows you...?"

"Unfortunately." Roan's lips curled. "Sylas is the guild master's son. He's got a terrible attitude and resents that I'm higher ranked than him, so he likes to show off when I'm around." He glanced at me apologetically. "I'll explain everything and get rid of him."

Great. So not only was Roan leaving, but the library was in the middle of their battle of egos. A few minutes ago it had felt like everything was going right for us. We'd been having a nice meal and the tree was healing, all good things.

But now? I'd just be grateful if the story spirits could stay hidden long enough for Roan to send the guild away.

"Come on," I said, dragging the demon lord inside while Roan walked to the courtyard to greet the adventurers. "Didn't Lisa mention you guys usually hide from adventurers?"

He scowled. "Just because a little knight got captured one time she expects us to be cowards."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "A knight got captured?"

"In a jar like a bug, yeah," he said, shrugging. "The library handled it, don't worry. It just sent him back to his book."

The library handled it? Wait...

"Does that mean the library controls you? And knows what's going on?"

He gave me one of his classic are-you-an-idiot looks before staring out the window. Right. Of course the library didn't control them. It was magical sure, but still just a building. If magical libraries could do something like that, every librarian would know about it.

The adventurers stopped in the courtyard where Roan stood waiting. The man in front looked at the library with such disdain that I wanted to send him away myself, but the woman beside him smiled warmly as she waved at Roan. So at least one of them was on good terms then. Two others followed behind, but they seemed like extra muscle more than anything else.

"Sorry, but we're not open yet," Roan said. "You should come back later."

The woman's smile widened. "Come on, you know that's not why we're here. Show me this haunted library of yours."

"Yes," Sylas said, "please show us the incredibly dangerous spirits you've let roam the mountain without a care for anyone's safety."

Since when did being scary equal being incredibly dangerous? And why did it sound like Sylas was blaming that all on Roan?

"I didn't--"

"Didn't what?" Sylas cut in before Roan could finish. "Didn't do your damn job like everyone expected you to? You're supposed to be some kind of hero, an S-rank adventurer who can solve anything." His voice was overly dramatic as he scoffed. "I'm guessing you failed miserably and are hiding away up here to avoid admitting it, right? The contractors told us everything."

The man's voice was so smug. How dare he talk to Roan like that after he'd been working so hard to help us.

"Whoa now," the demon lord teased, "I thought you wanted us to stay hidden."

Without realizing it, I'd moved closer to the door, as if I'd wanted to go defend Roan's honor or something. My cheeks flushed. Roan was perfectly capable of defending himself, he didn't need me interrupting them. But it just wasn't right.

"You're looking a little red," the demon lord mocked. "Want me to teach them all a lesson?"

"Quiet," I whispered back.

Roan gripped the hilt of his sword. "This library isn't haunted. The townsfolk misunderstood."

"Really?" The woman, Jade I think her name was, looked excited. "What are the rumors about then?"

"The books come to life," Roan said confidently, leaving no room for arguments. "They're story spirits, not ghosts."

Sylas laughed, a grating sound that made me cringe. "Books? You really think books came to life and scared people away? The townsfolk aren't that stupid and neither am I. You have no idea how frightened each person was after fleeing the mountain. No idea what they experienced."

Once again I wondered exactly how the story spirits had caused so much terror in people. They'd tried to explain, but I had a feeling it was different in person. I also hadn't considered how ridiculous the truth sounded, that books had come to life. Would anyone believe us when we opened the library? How could we prove it?

Swirling shadows pulled my attention to the demon lord, who looked like he was about to go give Sylas a piece of his mind.

"Oh no," I said, pushing him back, "we're supposed to be proving this isn't a haunted library, so no adding fuel to the fire."

He glared down at me, shadows curling around him like a cloak. "I'll do what needs to be done to protect this library. Just because you think that means inviting people in doesn't mean I do."

I sighed. If he really wanted to go out there and fight, I couldn't stop him. I had no idea how the library had put him or anyone else back in their books in the past, but the better question was why wasn't it doing it now? He'd said the story spirits usually hid inside their books, but that hadn't happened when the contractors came or now.

"Why are you here instead of hiding?" I asked the demon lord. "Why confront them at all?"

"Because you gave the library hope," he said, "and now it wants people back, even if that means rotten adventurers at its doors. This is your fault, so don't even try and stop me."

Wait, what did he mean by the library wanted people back? Was the library....no, I didn't have time for crazy thoughts like that. Libraries didn't have feelings, no matter how magical they were. I had to do something about these adventurers right now.

If we were going to reopen, we needed people to feel safe. To be excited about the story spirits instead of fearful. Which meant we had to prove that the story spirits weren't ghosts.

"Wait!" I grabbed his arm before he could storm outside. "We need a plan. Whatever the adventurers are here to do, we have to prove them wrong."

As we stood there, staring at each other, the other story spirits peeked out from behind the stacks. Mochi wandered over, patting the demon lord's leg. He looked down, having a silent conversation with the panda, before ripping his arm away from me.

"Fine, what do you have in mind?" he asked.

Stolen novel; please report.

I glanced outside as Roan and Sylas started yelling at each other about something, with Roan standing between him and the library. It looked like they were about to come to blows. Cerbie raced over from wherever he'd been playing outside, growling and snapping at the adventurers. I'd never seen him look so fierce before, defending Roan.

Apparently, the adventurers thought so too as they all drew their swords. I had to do something before this got out of hand. Something that would give everyone what they wanted...

"What would happen if these adventurers tried to dispel you like a ghost?" I asked. "Like if you let them burn sage or chant or whatever they're planning on doing?"

"Absolutely nothing," the demon lord said. "We aren't ghosts."

"Then let's get out there and prove that." I grinned, looking around the library at all the story spirits. "If none of their techniques work, then they'll have to accept you're not ghosts. Are you with me?"

Mochi chittered, his fluffy tail swooshing back and forth. The dragons raced outside without a second thought as the knights charged after them. That just left...

"Demon lord?"

"So I really can't scare them away?" he asked, sighing when I shook my head. "You're really annoying, you know that right?"

"I know," I said, barely containing my laughter. "But you'll come outside anyway, right?"

I didn't wait for him to answer, assuming he would. We were running out of time. The adventurers had formed a circle, their backs to each other and swords out, as the dragons flew overhead, thankfully not breathing fire. Yet.

"Hello," I said, interrupting everyone. "I'm Nyssa, the Misty Mountain Librarian. Mind telling me what you're doing here?"

Sylas completely ignored me, but the woman nodded at me in greeting. "I'm Jade. We're here to help with your haunted library problem."

"As Roan already explained, these creatures are story spirits, not ghosts." I smiled warmly as a dragon landed on my shoulder and Cerbie came over to stand between me and Roan. "They're made with library magic so they're part of the library. You cannot dispel them."

"I can't, huh?" Sylas sneered. "Just watch me, lady. They might have fooled you, but I know they're dangerous and I'm going to dispel them."

Exactly what I'd been hoping he'd say. He could try his heart out for all I cared as long as he admitted they weren't ghosts in the end.

"Be my guest," I said, shaking my head at Roan who looked like he wanted to protest. I pulled him aside to whisper. "We've got a plan, just play along."

His gaze met mine, holding it for a moment. Then he nodded. "I trust you."

My stomach fluttered at that look, like he fully believed I could handle this situation without even telling him my plan. After this was over, I'd find a way to talk to him about leaving. See if it was what he really wanted or if something else was going on.

The adventurers lined up candles in a large circle, lighting them as they chanted ominously. As Jade bent down to light her candle, one of the dragons flew over and beat her to it. She pressed her lips together as if she was trying not to laugh as the dragon's flames melted the candle in half.

Sylas glared at them. "Focus. Don't let the spirits distract you."

"Of course," Jade said, mockingly saluting him.

I had a feeling she and I would get along just fine. It was good to know at least one of the adventurers was open-minded and curious about the story spirits. Where there was one, there'd be more.

Mochi curled up next to the candles as if sitting by a fireplace, handing out mini marshmallows to the little knights. They gathered sticks, spearing them with vigor as they proceeded to roast the marshmallows over the candles. The sweet scent of toasted sugar filled the air, making my stomach growl.

"You can't do that!" Sylas said, shock filling his voice. "Those are sacred candles, not some backwoods campfire."

I knelt down by Mochi and the others, ignoring him entirely.

"Do you have any chocolate or graham crackers?" I asked Mochi, who chittered and pulled them out of thin air. "Ohhh, thank you!"

The panda munched on a marshmallow, getting white fluff all over its fur. I laughed softly as two knights solemnly handed me a normal-sized marshmallow that came up to their shoulders and a sharpened stick.

"Your spear, my lady," the knight said with a bow.

"I said you can't do that!" Sylas glared at us and it would have been funny if he wasn't trying to get rid of all my friends.

"Sorry," I said, turning my marshmallow over once it was golden on one side, "but you can keep trying to dispel them. We're not stopping you."

The knights completely ignored him too, daring to offer one of the roasted marshmallows to a dragon flying by. My heart swelled at the sight. It was the first time I'd seen them getting along, even if it was just to tick off this horrid adventurer.

Roan laughed. "You heard her, keep trying. I dare you."

Sylas' face reddened. "Get the salt."

The two bulky adventurers pulled salt out of their packs, using it to draw a large circle around us. When the circle was complete, it glowed bright white for a moment. Was it actually going to contain the story spirits?

I glanced around nervously, but then the demon lord bent down to pick up some salt, sprinkling it on my marshmallow before taking a big bite. Sylas' mouth dropped open as Mochi followed suit, salting everyone's marshmallows with the spelled salt. The panda handed me another marshmallow too since mine had been so rudely devoured.

Jade burst out laughing. "Okay, I love this library. Are they always like this?"

"Pretty much," Roan said, smiling at me. "Nyssa and the story spirits make this library whole."

"You're part of the library too, you know," I said as I stood up, shoulder bumping against his. "An important part."

His eyes widened, but Sylas cursed loudly before Roan could say anything.

"Get the damn sealing books," he shouted, "we'll bind them to the pages."

Okay, that one sounded less fun and a lot more dangerous. The story spirits came from books, so binding them might actually work. The demon lord's shadows swirled again and the knights had completely forgotten about their marshmallows, letting them burn to a crisp over the candles.

"Wait a minute," I started, but Sylas grinned.

"Scared?" he asked. "I knew I'd find something that worked. I should have tried the books right away."

Roan stepped forward. "Come on, Sylas, you know they're not ghosts. They passed your tests already. Ghosts wouldn't be able to eat salt or hang out having fun inside a protective barrier. Let it go already, because honestly, we both know why you're really here."

I frowned. Was this because of what Roan said earlier, about how Sylas always tried to outdo him?

"He's right," Jade said, taking a marshmallow from Mochi. "Let's just head back. There's nothing dangerous here."

Sylas shook his head. "No way. These spirits might have tricked Roan and everyone else here, but I won't let them trick me. I'm better than that."

Roan snorted. "Right, of course you are."

"Roan," I said, "maybe we should--"

"Just get out of here, Sylas," Roan snapped. "Your issue is with me, not them. If you leave, so will I. Then you won't have any reason to show off, right? You can just let the library live in peace?"

No, what was he doing? Was he really that eager to leave...or was he trying to protect us?

Sylas grinned. "Oh Roan, you never know when to quit, do you?"

Then he took one of the books from the adventurers behind him and started chanting, holding it in front of the dragons. Their bodies flickered just enough for fear to clamp around my heart as they flapped their wings harder than usual, as if something was trying to drag them back.

Sylas was really going to seal the story spirits.

One of the dragons cried out, a horrible sound that tugged at my heart. I had to help them, but I didn't know how. I moved to knock the book out of Sylas' hand, but the two muscle-bound adventurers moved to stand between us.

The demon lord growled. "Enough."

His shadows latched onto the shadows of the adventurers. They couldn't move, couldn't run, couldn't finish their ridiculous chant that was absorbing the dragons into that book. I let out a breath. Good.

Sylas struggled to move, frozen by his own shadow, sweat dripping down his face as fury distorted his features. We were supposed to be making peace, not deepening their hatred.

This had to stop. It wouldn't help anyone.

"Stop!" I shouted. "Just stop. This isn't the way to solve anything."

But both sides were too upset to listen. I glanced at Roan, who was also pinned in place by his shadow. Really? The demon lord didn't trust him either? What was I supposed to do now?

I turned frantically toward the library, not knowing what I expected to see, but I was at a loss. Help us. Somebody had to help us. Maybe if Lisa came out, she could deal with them. Nobody ever said no to her.

"Please," I pleaded softly, with who, I wasn't sure. "Save them. Don't let them get captured like the knight did."

After a long moment of silence, the story spirits glowed and disappeared. Sylas and his group almost fell over, free from the demon lord's shadow binding and Roan's eyes were wide with surprise.

I blinked. Did the library do that? Or did...I do that?

"What just happened?" Sylas asked.

Roan glanced at me, but when I shrugged, he turned back to Sylas. "That was us saving your ungrateful ass. Now leave and don't come back."

"Where did they all go?" Jade asked, rolling her shoulders as if making sure she had full control. "They're okay, right?"

I nodded, trying to think of anything rational to say right now that wouldn't make them even more scared of the library. I didn't have the power to return story spirits to their books and if it wasn't me, then it had been something else. Something these adventurers would probably deem too dangerous to survive.

For now, I had to cover it up and act like everything was normal so they'd leave. Then I could figure out the truth.

"They're back in their own books," I said with more confidence than I felt. "No way was I going to let you steal them from the library. They're not ghosts, they're the souls of precious books. You have to at least believe that, right?"

The adventurers looked unconvinced, especially Sylas.

"We'll be back," he said, glaring at Roan. "I won't ignore a mission and let the town down."

So much for a peaceful ending. This was going to bite us in the ass later, but right now, all I could think about was the library.

I'd asked for help and that's what I got.

My mind reeled as I looked back at the library. The big main entrance, door slightly ajar. The windows, open wide as if the entirety of the building was listening in.

I knew that didn't make any sense at all, but it felt right as that warm feeling I'd had ever since I stepped foot inside finally clicked.

The library had heard me. And it reacted.

Was the library...sentient?