Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)

by Travis Baldree

“Potroast, no!”

There’s no way in all eight hells I’m standing all day.”

“You’re just trying to make it to the other end, and while you’re in it, there’s nothing to either side. Only the way forward. You know, the tunnel. Maybe when you find a way out, you can look around, but until then …”

door banged open and Gallina trotted inside. “Holy hells, he’s out!” she said, in an echo of Viv’s entrance. “And he’s sweepin’?”

Great seas set aflame by sunsets. Endless underground lakes in soundless caverns. The winter light on mountain snow that has never thawed.”

Varine the Pale.

“Every book is a little mirror, and sometimes you look into it and see someone else looking back.”

She mouthed one word. “Moist.”

Potroast wove between people’s legs, alert for any dropped bits of scone.

“Because I’m headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way.”

“I’ll probably never see you again,” continued Maylee, and one tear overspilled, tracking through the fine flour on her cheek. She leaned into Viv’s touch and added fiercely, almost angrily, “But I don’t regret it.”

“See you in the story past the story,” said

And as Tandri laughed, waiting for the full story, Viv was grateful for all the wrong times that had led to this right one.