The Library at Mount Char

by Scott Hawkins

regression completeness,” Peter said. “It’s the notion that the universe is structured in such a way that no matter how many mysteries you solve, there is always a deeper mystery behind it.

“What’s reissak ayrial?” said Alicia. “It means ‘the denial that shreds,’

She knew every word that had ever been spoken, but she could think of nothing to say that might ease his grief.

uzan-iya, which was what they called the moment when an innocent heart first contemplated the act of murder.

“gahn ayrial” meant, in a literal sense, the denial of suffering.

Whenever she thought of Father’s face, it was by the light of that fire. How rare it was to see him smile.

In the civilian world, the volume was a lot lower, but he was still shouting.

“You might get blood on the cinnamon rolls.”

“Two feet off the ground? Is it floating?” “It’s on the porch.”

They were all staring at him now, the way dumb shits sometimes did when you surprised them.

“The Buddha teaches respect for all life.” “Oh.” She considered this. “Are you a Buddhist?” “No. I’m an asshole. But I keep trying.”

The main course was two deer. That’s the reissak’s trigger. No one who tasted of their flesh can approach the Library.

“I still love you, Steve. You should know that, too.” “You what?” He paused. “ ‘Still?’

“I’ll keep that in mind. Father’s dead, isn’t he?” She nodded again.

“You killed him.” She nodded again.

“Damn,” Erwin said. “That’s some fucked-up shit.” “Thanks, Erwin.

It’s just…I’m not big on…whatever you call it.” “Basic human contact?” “Whatever. It makes me uncomfortable. But you asked, and I told you, and now you know.”

My successor is liable to have a rough go of it, in the first few years anyway.” “Oh, you’ve got a guy all picked out?” “I do. Actually, it’s a girl.

“Her name’s Carolyn. She’s a niece of mine—well, sort of. She’s a pretty distant relation, actually. I see a lot of me in her, though.”

“Look, Dad, there’s Steve!”

“You just do. You can adjust to anything if you don’t give up.”

“But meantime, I brought you this one. I think you’ll like it.” She examined the cover. “Black Beauty.

“Pelapi. It is an old word. There is no single word like it in English. It means ‘librarian,’ but also ‘apprentice,’ or perhaps ‘student.’ ”

“Your way shall be very hard, very cruel. I must do terrible things to you, that you may become a monster. I am sorry, my son. I had thought you might be my heir, but the strength is not in you. It must be her.”

“When the time comes, Margaret will serve as your final warning.”

“I must send you into exile, that you may be the coal of her heart. No real thing can be so perfect as memory, and she will need a perfect thing if she is to survive. She will warm herself on the memory of you when there is nothing else, and be sustained.”

For now let’s just say that the past kneels before me.”

“Step down into the darkness with me, child.” Just that once, Father looked at her with real love. “I will make of you a God.”