Page 36 of My Guardian Demon

Onyx

"I need access to the deal records," I said to the goblin clerk behind the counter.

The little green man — who was dressed formally and wearing spectacles like his previous colleague — pointed to an open door behind me.

"Records are through there. Bring the books to us if you need copies. $1 per page."

I tipped my chin at him and walked into the record room.

The enormous room smelled like old books. Ancient leather tomes lined floor to ceiling shelves along the walls and aisles down the middle. There were thousands of books. Tables and chairs were placed intermittently along the walls at the end of the shelves for ease of reading.

Twenty six books, one for each letter of the alphabet, suspended in the air against a wall, quills magically writing in them as new deals were being recorded around the world. Below them stood shelves of each letter, arranged by year.

A sign over the books by the entrance read "Indices - Arranged Alphabetically."

I ran my finger overthe books until I reached the letter H. Wynn had slipped up and revealed Eston's last name once. Of course, I'd memorized it. I'd never been more grateful.

I pulled the large book from its quill and thumbed through until I found the entry I sought — Eston Hawthorne, book H527.

I put the index back, and the quill began writing again.

On a mission, I moved down the aisles to the H section. Quickly, I browsed through the shelves until I found the spot for the book I wanted — I growled when I found that the space between H526 and H528 sat empty.

Maybe someone else had it.

I poked my head out of the aisle and looked at the few beings who sat at the tables in the walkway. They were spaced out in the massive room. A blue-skinned bulky troll, a tiny pixie, and a werewolf in changed form. Great.

I sighed and approached the troll, with its warthog-shaped face. I could never tell the difference between male and female so I'd have to stay away from gender terms. Trolls were notoriously bad tempered. But books surrounded it on the table, though, so I had to approach it. Time to use my manners, rusty as they may be.

"Excuse me," I cleared my throat.

Large eyes raised to look at me. "What do you want, demon? I won't make a deal with you."

I shook my head no. "I'm looking for a certain book. Are you reading it, by chance?"

The troll huffed. "What book?"

"H527."

The troll made a snarling noise in its throat that made my heart jump but it responded, "None of my books are from the Hs."

Relief flooded me at that bullet dodged. I bowed formally. "Thank you for checking."

I scurried up the hallway, not wanting to step on any troll toes today.

I walked to the tiny pixie's table and smiled at her. She was about five inches tall and flew above her book on tiny wings as she read it. She must have flown it over with magic.

"Hello, miss. I'm looking for a certain book. I wondered if you might have it."

Her tiny eyes flicked over me. "What book is that?" she responded, her voice high pitched.

"H527."

She shook her head. "Sorry, honey. I only have a book from the Ps."

I nodded at her. "Much appreciated."

She smiled at me before I walked away. Pixies were full of love and light, and that smile made my dark heart flutter in my chest.

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