As I pushed open the creaking attic door, a hushed silence enveloped me, broken only by the faint rustle of pages and the distant echoes of a forgotten world. The room before me was a sanctuary of knowledge, a treasure trove of dreams waiting to be unlocked.
My eyes widened, taking in the sight that unfolded before me. Tall shelves, adorned with elegant engravings, reached towards the heavens, seemingly infinite in their reach. Books of all shapes and sizes stood proudly, their spines beckoning me closer. The scent of old parchment and ink infused the air, embracing me like a long-lost friend.
I cautiously stepped forward, my fingertips grazing the weathered spines. Each book seemed to hold a secret, a tale longing to be heard. The weight of history and knowledge pressed upon me, an invisible presence that whispered, “Open me. Discover.”
The library had no windows and no air conditioners, yet it was surprisingly warm. I walked around, looking for a ladder or anything that could help me reach the top.
“You won’t find any.”
“Huh? Who are you? Show yourself.”
A tall guy stepped out from behind a shelf and, on removing his hood, I realized who it was.
“Elijah. I thought you don’t talk?”
“I don’t, but I’m in a good mood today so I’ll talk.”
“Pray tell, what’s got you in a good mood?”
“Well, first, it’s Christmas. Secondly, I’m surrounded by books. Three, father has said that I can play at mass tomorrow.”
“Mass?”
“You should come. The cathedral would be full but I’m sure I could squeeze in a seat for you.”
“What’s a mass?”
“It’s some kind of celebration. I’m no Christian nor Catholic, so I don’t know how to explain it. Your boyfriend should know, given he used to be one of them.”
I doubt he would ever tell me. “Um, you said something about not being able to find any ladder. Is that right?”
“Yes. Were you assuming that I would be wrong?”
Hopefully.
“No, no. I just want to know why.”
“Normal libraries have ladders. This ain’t a normal one, hence the absence of ladders.”
“But how do you reach the top of the shelves if there are no ladders?”
“Well, it’s simple. You climb.”
“You’re joking, right?”, I asked him, laughing.
He smiled, showing off his pearly whites. “Yes. Unlike the libraries you’re used to, you don’t have to search for what you’re looking for. You simply have to tell the library what you want.”
“Tell the library what I want?”, I asked, confused.
“Yes. Come, I’ll show you.”
Elijah walked back to the entrance, and stood before the shelves, his hands folded behind his back.
“Library, I would need hymnbooks comprising Christmas songs.”
Suddenly, books flew out from the shelves, nearly hitting me in the process.
“Oh, I forgot. You’re supposed to duck,” he said, bending to pick up the books.
“Right. So I’m just supposed to demand for a book?”
“Yes. It’s that simple.”
“Are you sure? I’m a wolf and I don’t know if…”
“Well, it’s worth giving a shot. Come on, take my stance. Stand erect, and look directly at the shelves.”
I did as he said. “Done. Now what?”
“You express your demand.”
I sighed. This better work out. “Library. I would need a handbook comprising the rules and regulations of the Icelands.”
Nothing.
“See, I told you this wouldn’t work. Stop laughing, Elijah. It’s not funny.”
He chuckled. “It is.”
“You’re an asshole. Why won’t it work?”
“Because what you’re looking for doesn’t exist.”
“It doesn’t?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“You’re joking. How can a handbook containing the laws of the land not exist? How then do you know the rules?”
“You break them,” Elijah responded.
“That’s… that’s…”
“Mean? Wicked? Well, you better get used to it, Crinka. You’ll be seeing more of mean and wicked after this festive season. Try again.”
“Fine. Library, I would need a book that states how to kill a lycan.”
Nothing.
“Um, such a book doesn’t exist. And why exactly are you looking for that kind of stuff anyways? You don’t want to kill Sia, do you?”
“I wish. It’s not Sia I want to kill.”
“Well get rid of your murder plans. It won’t do you any good. Try again. With something not lycan related.”
“Fine. Library, I would need a book that states how to seduce a lycan.”
It worked, yay!
Elijah cast me a look. “I said nothing lycan related!”
I laughed. “Does it really matter? The important thing is that it worked. So how do I return it?”
“Why do you wanna return it? I thought you needed it.”
“I don’t need a book to teach me how to seduce a man, Elijah. It’s something that comes naturally.”
“Lemme guess, from years of pleasuring men.”
I glared at him. “Just when I was starting to think you were different.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that…”
“Wolves get on your nerves. You don’t have to tell me. I already get it. Thanks for your help, Elijah.”
Shoulders hunched, he left me alone in the library. Afraid someone else would come in and find me here, I quickly made my request. “Library, I would need…. I don’t even know what I need, but if you’re, um…a woman like me, you would understand that what I need is important. If you’ve got a book that talks about reproduction regarding mythical creatures as humans would say, I want one.”
No books came flying out and devastated, I turned to leave, stopping however when I heard a thud.
Turning around, I bent to pick up the book. It’s a small journal, old and worn out. I opened it carefully, only to be met with strange words and funny diagrams. I tried so hard to understand it that I didn’t even hear the approaching footsteps until the owner spoke up.
“Oh. You found my great-grandmother’s journal.”
Waxlyn.
Shutting the book, I turned around to face her. “Your grandmother’s journal?”
“Great. My great-grandmother’s journal. Grandpa told me that she had a lot of journals. Wrote down a lot of stuff. Penned every moment or things she felt was worth remember. I would have loved to read them but it’s written in ice, and I am not quite familiar with the written aspect of my native tongue. But come June, I should be quite alright.”
Well, I can’t wait till June! I might have popped by then! “Okay. What are you doing in here, Waxlyn? You don’t strike me as a nerd.”
“You’re right; I’m not. I’m here to get a few books for Eloive. It’s gonna be a Christmas gift to him.”
I frowned. “But I thought Eloive can’t read.”
“He can’t. I’m only getting them to spite him. He offended me on Christmas Eve; it’s only fair if I offend him on Boxing Day.”
My frown deepened. “Boxing Day?”
“Yeah, you know. The day after Christmas set aside for opening presents. Did anyone not teach you anything about Christmas?”
Well, Mila taught me some, but not everything, I suppose.
“I’m afraid not. I’m not familiar with the celebration.”
“Well, here are a few tips for you. One, you can’t look hideous on Christmas Day, meaning that you can’t meet baby Jesus when you’re looking like someone hit you with a sack of potatoes. Two, you need to be very proactive. You’re gonna be saying a lot of Merry Christmases. It would hurt but it’s worth it. Jesus is worth the pain. Three, only good thoughts on Christmas day. That means you’ve got to keep the devil and whatever comes with it out of your mind. Four, be nice to everyone, even your enemies. If my grandma holds your hands tomorrow, don’t fall for it. It’s just for the show. Five, make sure you eat a lot. Christmas ain’t Christmas without feasting, Crinka, so be sure to enjoy it.”
“I will.” Hopefully.
Waxlyn turned her attention to the shelves. “Dearest Library, you know I wouldn’t come to you if the other Library, the less cooler one, didn’t require me picking out my own books. So be nice as I make my request.”
I was shocked. Well, that’s one way to make a request. “I need an atlas, a sci-fi novel, something horrific and oh, a romantic book. I want one of those.”
I raised a brow as the books flew out of the shelves. “A romantic book? Aren’t you too young to be reading that stuff?”
“Oh please, save me the lecture. It’s not like I’m putting it into practice like my stupid cousin.”
I nearly choked. “What?”
“Oh, you haven’t heard? Eloive tried getting a girl pregnant. Worse thing? She’s even a slave.”
That must be Toreh. She sure didn’t tell me that she was planning on becoming a mother.
“Wow. Do you know the girl?”
“Nah. I just know that her name is Toreh. Ugh! Toreh. What a stupid name.”
I never saw it like that. “You don’t seem to like her.”
“I don’t, and I have every reason not to. One, she’s a slave. Two, she’s annoying, and Good Lord, have you heard her chew? It’s horrible.”
I chuckled. “I just think you’re exaggerating, Waxlyn. She might be nice.”
“She tried to cheat her way into royalty by fooling around with my brother. The hell she’s nice.”
I cocked a brow, stretching out my hand. She stared at it confused. “What?”
“A dollar. You swore, Waxlyn. You’ve got to give me something valuable.”
She gasped. “You did not just say that.”
“I did. Come on. I know there’s something in those pockets.”
“My dress doesn’t have pockets. Look, how about I get you something valuable for Christmas, and you also give me something for Christmas, huh?”
“I don’t know anything about Christmas presents, Waxlyn.”
“It’s simple. You just get a gift, something nice and hand it over. I like to wrap mine though. Give you a bit of a hard time to unwrap.”
I smiled. “Well, I’ve got to go now, Crinka. See you later,” she said before heading out, books in hand.
Well, if she can leave the library with books, then I can too.
When I stepped out of the library, Gales was curled up on the chair fast asleep. I chuckled softly before shutting the door as quietly as I could.
Now that I’ve found what I’ve been looking for, I’d best get a translator, and I’m thinking Thane might just do. He does owe me after all.