The Librarians Books Novels & Stories

“They’ve scrubbed the house clean of anything that smells like the past.” Lira leaned against the bedpost, a devious glint in her eyes. “Well... the main library has the 'official' history books, which are probably ninety percent propaganda,” she said, shrugging one shoulder. “But if the books are useless, we go to the source. The living libraries.” I arched an eyebrow, my interest piqued. “The living libraries?”

Something turned the corner and nearly ran into us. If we hadn’t flattened ourselves against the shelf, we’d have been caught. When I think of Librarian’s, I couldn’t help but picture my mom. Rounded glasses and flared skirts, nametags and rolling carts full of returned books. She worked at the public library for years now. She’d adore the wide array of books here, though I don’t think she’d like the constant threat of danger.

The woman stood behind the podium; her old, but unworked hands, smoothing out the precious pages. “Welcome to my library,” The woman said, her eyes flashing to them. “Can I help you find something?” The librarian had a reputation about her, stories whispered on sleepless nights. Her name was Claudia, and she had been in the library for as long as anyone could remember. Claudia’s book held more than the location of library books; it was said to hold every answer imaginable. The volume was magic; so much so that it was a part of the woman’s soul, and only she could read its pages. To every other eye, it was completely and utterly blank.

Not just the one book, but at least eight, all gone around the spot where the book I’d been looking for had once been. The librarian told me that someone checked several books out over the weekend. She didn’t tell me who. Said it was “library policy”. I got the sense that she was just too nervous to say. I mentioned it to Damon at lunch, mostly just to complain, not expecting him to do anything about it.

Something Liam recommended after asking him for books my mother must have read. It was filled with stories of queens who lost everything, kings who broke under the crown and kings who abdicated the throne and the constant war between packs. I turned the pages without really reading, constantly rubbing my eyes to soothe the ache in them. After hours of flipping through the pages in silence, the first noise came from the jangling keys of a librarian. She was leaving. She brought me a cup of tea and placed it by my side. “You’ve been here all day. Are you sure you won’t leave and return tomorrow?”

"They emptied these shelves." "As many as they could." His fingers brushed over a charred section of timber. "They carried books through collapsing tunnels. Hid them beneath villages. Buried sealed collections beneath orchards and shrines. Some crossed half of Hell with nothing but a satchel of manuscripts on their backs." His gaze travelled slowly along the damaged shelves. "They did not know whether we would ever return." One of the librarians nearby gently slid another repaired volume into place amongst its companions. "They only knew that if we didn't..." His voice softened. "...our children never would."

She slowly released her grip. “I’m sorry,” she said, “but I haven’t time. My matter is urgent.” “Your matter?” he said disdainfully. “Fantasy books?” Caitlin blushed. She didn’t know what to say to make him understand how truly pressing this was. “I need the books now,” she said. “NOW, do you understand me!?” Her words echoed too loudly in the silent hall, and people sitting quietly looked up from their books and glanced at them. The librarian, clearly embarrassed, scowled back at her. Without a word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hall, climbing the metal steps to the upper level, to the endless stacks.

After saying that, he left. At this time, the head librarian appeared and said, "Hi, Chica. A new batch of books will arrive tomorrow. You can sort these books out now and make a list for tomorrow." The head librarian was a middle-aged woman. She had been working at this college for many years now. Although she looked strict, Ayla thought that she was a good person. "Yes, Ms. Xu. I'll get them once I'm done here." She smiled and put the books back to the shelf one by one. For the rest of the afternoon, she worked at the library because she didn't have any classes.

Typical. I handed the librarian the book I was returning. She smiled at me and said hello. She knew me well enough due to the fact I was here frequently so she knew I would be checking out one or two more books. I headed straight for the fiction section. I had read a good number of books in the section already but there were so many I still hadn't read. I wanted to read them all before I graduated. It was kind of a dumb goal to some but not to me. I loved to read.

The librarians were in on the secret, intentionally filling the shelves with books that were far too explicit—because they understood it drew people in. They turned a blind eye to the pearl-clutchers, the ones who might complain but never actually did. Ironically, those were the very people I often spotted lingering in the romance section, flipping through the very books they pretended to disdain. But for me, it wasn’t just the steamy stories that lured me here. No, my real obsession was the man behind the front desk, enigmatic and unreadable, the living embodiment of every naughty fantasy that kept me awake at night. Cameron.