The Book Thieves Review Novels & Stories

But then I reminded myself that I wouldn't be getting into trouble if I had my own things and didn't have to beg anybody for theirs or accept what people suggested, just like in Celia's case. And looked at me sternly for some time, seemingly assessing me in and out before he finally said something. "Where did you get this?" He asked, raising the book I had been reading. I was so scared instantly and my heart raced while my mind scrambled for a believable lie that would get me out of this messy situation. "I... I." I stuttered for a while before something came to my mind, a lame lie. "I stole it from one of the guards," I stammered, not wanting to put anybody in trouble and also hoping that m

They or we? The other party that threw our world into chaos was the self-proclaimed animal welfare organization Live for Animals. In an act of charity they broke into Doctor Christopher Krynick's research laboratory to bring the animals to safety. Unfortunately they had no idea what was going on and a well-meaning rescue operation turned into a global catastrophe. The proles first killed their rescuers and then escaped from the research facility to bring a plague of unprecedented proportions to the world. When a hand came to rest on my shoulder and slowly brushed the back of my neck, I tried to ignore the tingling sensation. "You can leave that nice. I'm still mad at you. "

I gasped as I looked back up at Xipher, and he smiled and softly nodded his head. “A storm is coming.” He said in a voice that sent dreaded shivers through my body as I turned, looking out over the glowing land. To Be Continued in BOOK THREE “GUARDIANS KINGDOMS”

"We're partners, remember? You don't get to protect me from the job." He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But you stay close to me. And if things get dangerous—" "I know. Signal for backup, don't be a hero." She strapped a knife to her thigh. "I've got it." Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to the warehouse district. The sky was lit orange, flames consuming the building while firefighters struggled to contain it. Smoke billowed thick and black into the pre-dawn darkness. Massimo met them at the perimeter, his face grim. "It's bad. They used accelerants—professional job. By the time our guards realized what was happening, it was too late."

But the proctor, the teachers, and even my classmates all swore they saw me handing my paper in early. My memories and reality split apart, like a mirror cracking down the middle. I refused to accept it. I filed appeal after appeal. Each time, nothing changed. Soon, my teachers' eyes were full of pity, and the police spoke to me with quiet helplessness. They began hinting that maybe the pressure had gotten to me and maybe I was imagining things. It wasn't until after I died that I finally learned the truth. It was her. It was Sierra and her Grade Heist System that had stolen everything.

No matter the grievance or regret, 30 years had passed. "El, how about we start over? I'll pursue you all over again. I'll treat you like the princess you were born to be. You can name your price—just don't abandon me. Please. El, I promise I've realized my mistake." The guards had to use significant force to subdue Ivor. He was struggling frantically, looking utterly defeated. "Hey, what's going on?" It was then that Jeffrey rushed in. He was hoping to intervene but felt unqualified to speak.

I dump my bag on the floor and read through the shelf while pulling books out and mumble as I go. ‘Even a book can be dangerous in the wrong hands.’ ‘Ignite.’ ‘Hell is empty and all the devils are here.’ ‘You’ll make bad choices. Sometimes you’ll choose the best of bad ones.’ ‘Tuesday is Fucked.’ ‘Everything’s a game. And now it’s your turn.’ I have a stack of about 10 books before I abruptly stop. "Next isle." I say and we walk up and down the library isles. I climb and jump to get books off of shelves and Aidan has to catch me a couple of times when I fell.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight **** I couldn’t keep going back to the abandoned wing. Not after what I’d felt yesterday,the way the book seemed to hum under my fingers, like it was waiting and watching. Every time I left it on the shelf, I’d lie awake at night wondering if someone else had found it. If Morwen, with her quiet new kindness and old cunning, had sensed its presence. So today, I stole it.

I stalked inside, senses alert for any sign of how the thief managed to breach this sanctum. But a cursory examination revealed no damage or forced entry. The protective wards remained intact. My brows drew together in a perplexed scowl. How was this possible? "The book was stored in this alcove, was it not?" I rumbled. Kai hurried over and nodded grimly. The gap on the shelf where the leather-bound tome had sat seemed to taunt me. I closed my eyes, calling upon my ancient draconic powers, seeking any traces left by the thief. But no unusual scents or residues lingered. Only the faint magical signature of the missing text itself, rapidly fading. Another dead end.

Orange flames quickly swallowed the yellow sheet. As the sigil burned down to black ash and drifted away into the night, carried by the wind, my body felt lighter than ever before. I knew it. The connection was completely gone. 'Cecilia… 'Every bit of luck you stole from me is about to come back. 'With interest. 'The dark magic you relied on will start to turn against you. 'Like a greedy black hole, it will devour all the luck of you and the people closest to you first,' I thought, smiling into the night.