Page 17 of His Human Librarian

That Hyrrokin is sexier than ever after that amazing lecture in his private library. I’m still swooning over his knowledge of ancient Hyrrokin literature and historical reference material.

But he is still my boss and this is a short-term job and then I’m gone.

Focus. Focus.

I load my small backpack with my tablet and a few other supplies and I bring a light jacket, just in case I get chilly this morning. My stomach growls and I open my door, ready to go downstairs to look for food.

Outside, in the hallway, I pause. Should I knock on his door? Yes, I’ve got many questions I’d like to ask, plus it would be great to see him again. But I decide against that form of intrusion. Maybe I can find something to eat on my own in the kitchen. And I do know that he said there is a storage shed somewhere that holds my supplies.

Ambient lights are on as I make my way down the ornate staircase, touching all the wood carvings. In the entry hall I stop to stare at the fantastical tapestries which show flame throwing armies clashing against each other for world dominance.

The formal dining hall is dark and empty. Not a speck of food to be found.

I seriously consider returning to the library for another stroll down the bookcases, but then my stomach growls again and I look harder for the kitchen.

A nearby door is wide open, leading to a charming, smaller dining room with many windows and a small table that looks like it can seat about five or six people. There is, of course, a stone fireplace, because they seem to be everywhere in this house and this one is lit with an inviting, crackling fire.

Roda appears with a greeting, and I’m proud of myself because this time I do not let out a squeak of fear.

“Good morning,” I ask. “Is this the dining room?”

“This is the small morning room next to the kitchen where breakfast is served each morning. The door behind me leads to the kitchen. I'm surprised Sten didn't give you a tour yesterday of the downstairs. He always gives the tour,” she mutters. “I don't know what's wrong with him.”

“I know don't either,” I respond with a wide smile.

“Eat,” she snorts, pointing at an impressive display of food on a sideboard.

“Oh my gosh,” I rush over and stare at the display. A few dishes are lit on fire and there is a stack of meat sticks that is enough to feed an army. “That looks wonderful. This isn’t all for me, right?”

“Well, Sten already ate. Whatever you don't finish eventually Tilden and a few of the others will eat. Don't worry, I'll box it and send it to them.”

“How many more Hyrrokin work here on the ranch?” I ask as I start to plate my food, trying to choose items that are safe to pick up and soft enough for my smaller teeth. “I know this really is a working ranch, and I saw barns and cattle from a distance, but I haven't met anyone yet.”

“Oh, you’re in for a treat. This is biggest ranch on this side of the planet. And now that Rake and Thorn have newer sections, it’s even bigger than before. The Sandstones are the biggest landowners on Tarvos second only to the Royal Government and the ancient royal preserves.”

I blink with surprise. “And how long have you worked here with them?”

She laughs. “I was born and raised on this ranch. My grandparents and my parents worked here. I was born in a cabin in the back. I’ve lived here my whole life. I remember when all of the Sandstone brothers were just babies.”

I smile because suddenly I imagine Sten as a baby, which sounds delightful. “I bet Sten was a cute baby.”

“He was.”

I sit down to start eating.

Roda leaves and then returns with another plate of food to set down.

“All this meat is tender and flavorful,” I tell her. “It’s probably the best meat I’ve ever had.”

“Our meat comes from our own ranch. Most of this food is local. None of this,” she says with pride waving toward the table filled with dishes, “was made with a food dispenser. It's all organic.”

“Really? Even the bread?”

“The grain was ground here into a flour, and then I baked it myself in the kitchen.”

“What a treat. I live in high-tech housing on Gravian and work in an office building and all I ever eat is from food dispensers. Real food grown planetside is a rare treat and kind of expensive where I’m from. Thank you for this. You're amazing.”

She smiles, white smoke wafting from her nostrils. “You're not too bad either, human. You'll do.” And she walks away.

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