Legends and Librarians (Legends and Librarians, #1)

by Pandora Pierce

Roan sure knew how to win a woman’s heart: with piles and piles of books.

How was I even supposed to reason with a panda? Give him food and hope he liked me?

The demon laughed. “You really think it’s that easy? You just show up and think you can take over? Humans are the worst.”

“Beautiful,” Roan whispered. “Absolutely beautiful.” “I know, right? This library is amazing.” He tucked a stray hair behind my ear, his hand brushing softly against my cheek. “I meant you.”

Roan sighed. “Maybe he just doesn’t have one. You know, like he’s a side character?” “What did you just call me?” the Demon Lord hissed, shadows swirling around him. “I am nobody’s side character.”

Trying to win them over didn’t get us anywhere, so we switched to scaring them away instead. Better to be alone by choice than unwanted.”

Was I a terrible librarian? There were books that had literally come to life right in front of me and I hadn’t even read their stories yet.

No matter who you were or what problems you were having, books could bind us together and give two complete strangers common ground.

He motioned at the knights dangling from dragon claws above us. “Just look at poor Bob and Mikey.” Bob and Mikey? I’d expected more knightly names if I was honest, but that wasn’t the point.

This was the life. A good book, a kind man, cozy drinks, and warm dragons. I couldn’t ask for more.

Getting lost in a romance novel was a lot easier than trying to experience your own.

This library had comforted me and filled my childhood with adventures. If it was sentient, if it knew what was happening, then that changed everything. I hadn’t just been a kid having fun at the library. I’d been a kid spending time with a friend...

This library had taken care of me as a child, welcomed me into its shelves, and showed me wonderful books. I’d felt its soul even then, but when I grew older, I’d brushed it off as a childhood fantasy. But now? Now I would do everything I could to protect it. To repay it for all the years it had taken care of me.

Just because you’ve always done something one way, doesn’t mean you always have to. And just because you might see a new way now doesn’t mean the old way was wrong. It’s just different.”

I closed my eyes, wishing for the one thing I was most afraid of wishing for: to be wanted. To be loved.