“Me too. Maybe you can help Mor find her familiar. She’s been wanting one for a while.”
“Ame,” I hiss at her, not about to let her start spouting off all my hidden desires.
Like how I want to find a person to fall in love with.
Or to at least have some good sex with.
There are some things a witch wants to keep to herself.
She only shrugs in that way little sisters do when they decide not to care if they’re being annoying.
“Do you need help cooking?” Bo asks as his fingers scratch the cat’s chin.
“We’ve got this. We’ll call you back when things are ready.” Ame blinks at me. “Mor, you should show Bo around. He can see how different this house is from how it used to be.”
Ame probably made the tour suggestion because of whatever she’d picked up from the monster, and I don’t see any harm as long as he doesn’t panic and start demolishing the place.
“Sure. Follow me, Bo.”
His heavy steps let me know he is behind me. I take him through the rooms, explaining how I organized the shelves and which parts of the collection are most popular. I show him the comfortable seating areas and pull an interesting title or two off their perches, just so he can see what treasures are available.
The more I talk, the more I warm up to the subject. This library is my passion project that I still can’t believe I made come to life. I tell Bo about the renovations Ame and I made, hoping that pointing out differences will ease his mind.
Yes, this place is protected by residual dragon magic, but it isn’t a secret hoard.
“As long as mythics come here with the genuine interest to read and learn, no one has had issues with the house,” I say, trying to make my voice gentle so Bo doesn’t interpret this as a scolding. “And I think Folk Haven is better for having all this information available. The coven certainly appreciates the access to a variety of spell books.”
“You really love this place.”
“I do. I always dreamed of having my own library.” I let out a dry chuckle. “But I’m not sure I realized how much work it would be.”
“Does your family work here too?” He tilts his head toward the kitchen.
“No. Jack and Ame live here, but Ame works at the veterinarian office in town, and Jack works at the university. Broderick is a professor there. My brother Anthony was helping for a bit, but he’s got a job with a local seamstress. This is their busiest season because of the Halloween Ball. Everyone wants custom gowns.”
Bo makes a humming noise in the back of his throat. He gazes around the shelves, and I allow myself a peek at his aura.
The colors are a fascinating mix.
Petal pink for curiosity.
Mustard brown for anxiety.
Chocolate for embarrassment.
Rose for longing.
While I can pick out the emotions a being is feeling, I never know exactly what the root of each is. Still, I take a chance based on what I see.
“Bo, would you like to work here?”
16
Bo
“You wouldn’t wantme as an employee.” I blurt the response when Mor’s question registers.
She stares up at me with a curious slant to her brow. “Why? Are you planning on destroying books? Being mean to patrons? Not showing up for shifts?”
