Mary Riley Styles Library Catalog Novels & Stories

The Royal Library doors stood open, sunlight streaming through the high windows to illuminate the dust that never seemed to settle despite the best efforts of the staff. The scent of old paper and leather bindings filled the air, mingled with the distinctive honey-copper fragrance that was uniquely Amelia's. I found her at a large oak table in the center of the room, surrounded by towering stacks of leather-bound volumes. Lily sat beside her, her recovery from Julian's abuse now nearly complete. Their heads were bent close together over an ancient text, Amelia's copper curls contrasting with Lily's light brown braid as they pointed out passages to each other.

“Well, only the best for me, right?” Marissa laughed. “As if you would accept anything less.” I rolled my eyes fondly, taking a sip of champagne. Mum really had won at life. As I turned away from the scene, letting the elite women of high society continue their conversations, my eyes landed on her. Riley. My stomach instantly clenched. What the hell was she doing here? She caught my stare and smirked, strolling over in a light pink satin dress that fit her perfectly. Her blonde hair—still probably dyed—was styled in soft curls, and she looked annoyingly good.

POV: Ray Riley arrived at the library at eight-twelve. I watched her come through the door from the north window table where Naomi had her laptop open and three browser tabs running simultaneously and the particular focused stillness of someone who had found something significant and was being patient about how she delivered it. Riley sat down, dropped her bag, looked at both of us. "Talk," she said. "You first," I said. "The athletics director."

"You can read them facts. 'Did you know the speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second?' They'll love it." Cale considered this. "The library," Cale said. "It is a controlled environment. Alphabetical organization. Dewey Decimal System." "Exactly. Structure." "And it is quiet." "Usually." "I will... investigate," Cale said. "I will perform a reconnaissance mission." "Just go talk to the librarian, Cale. Her name is Mrs. Gable. She's nice." "I will assess Mrs. Gable." "Good." Elion finished his bowl. The milk was bright blue.

“It’s reading a syllabus.” “Your syllabus must be filthy.” I choked on my coffee. Riley’s smile turned victorious. “Interesting.” “I hate you.” “No, you don’t.” She leaned back, smug as a cat. “But you definitely hate that I’m right.” I flipped the syllabus page with unnecessary aggression. “I am trying to educate myself on electoral systems.” “You are trying to hide from me behind a stapled packet.” “It’s a very sturdy packet.” “It’s two pages.”

Entering the library Dr Willard is taken back at the sight “Exquisite, simply exquisite! I must say this is truly amazing. I haven’t seen a library this well stocked in quite some time.” “I do try to get my hands on the latest books printed. I’ve always found one can’t have to much information on hand. The more you learn, the more you know.” making our way towards the tables. Dr Willard notices the books Rae left on the table, the ones she’s been reading. “Are these the books you’ve been studding?” “Yes” as Rae reaches out for two of the books “These two I got the most information from out of the rest.”

Alice left when she was done. Maria held the book she had gotten from the library and walked out of the room. Her steps were hurried as she moved to the library. Freye was the only one who could give her the truth. As she entered the library, there was an unfamiliar man seated behind the desk. Librarian perhaps. He raised his head from his book as he sighted her. “What brings you here dear?” She stretched out the book on mating rituals and mate bonds. “I came to return this and borrow another.”

Inside, the shelves were lined with ancient tomes and scrolls, and the air was thick with the musty scent of old books. "Excuse me," Hannah said to the librarian. "We're looking for information about a woman named Marcelyn. She may have some connection to recent attacks on our village." The librarian looked up from her desk, studying them with her piercing gaze. "Marcelyn, you say? That name is not known to me. But if there is any information to be found, it will be in the restricted section." "The restricted section?" Rajan repeated, his eyebrows raised. "What's in there?"