Read Lost Library: An Urban Fantasy Romance for Free Online

even to himself, but he had been a bit of an ass the previous day. He’d focused too much on the book and not enough on Lizzie.
    “Here’s a helpful hint. Magic exists in books, plays, movies, games. It permeates society. Someone overhears little bits and scraps, it’s likely they’ll think we’re discussing a movie. Some discretion is required, but no stealthy spy skills needed…skills which you clearly do not possess. Not a criticism—just a fact.” He held up his hands in surrender, but there was still a tiny hint of laughter in his voice. She was so damn cute, he couldn’t help laughing.
    “Yeah… Got it.”
    “To answer your question, I’m not sure how you’re supposed to read it. A lot of magic is instinctual, but some is learned. I don’t know which applies for reading magical texts. I do know that it’s a good sign that you’re seeing something. I don’t see anything but a blank page.”
    Lizzie’s expression perked up and took on a look of keen interest. “Are you saying that you have magic?”
    “Yes,” John said. She looked like she wanted to ask more, but this was a topic he wasn’t addressing in a public place. He headed her off before she could get her teeth into the topic of his magic. “But not the kind that helps with reading books. That’s a unique skill. What other questions do you have about the book? I don’t know much, but I’ll try to answer.”
    Lizzie must have gotten the hint, because she turned her interest away from John’s magic and back to the book.
    “What do you know about the type of magic or people who can read magic books?” she asked.
    “ My family calls them Record Keepers. The magic I’m familiar with is inherited. I suspect Record Keepers are the same.” He was guessing, but it was the best he could do.
    “And you think I’m one of them—a Record Keeper? Because I seriously doubt anyone in my family has magic. They’re not exactly good at keeping secrets.” Lizzie looked lost in thought. Then she piped up. “Really. I don’t think so. My family is so totally not magical.”
    “ Maybe, like you, they don’t know about it, but it’s there. Or it skipped a generation.” John wondered about Lizzie’s family. He mentally shook his head at his foolishness. This wasn’t a date. Her family really wasn’t relevant, other than verifying that none were Record Keepers. Since they lived in Texas, that had been easily accomplished. 
    “What exactly is in the book? What’s so secret your family felt they had to hide it in a magic book?  I’ve tried for two years to read it, with no success.” She paused and blushed slightly. “Admittedly, my efforts have been on-again, off-again, but still.”
    “I’m not sure. Anything I tell you would be a guess. But I’m very interested to find out,” John said.
    “It sounds like you’re a part of this super-secret society. ” Lizzie blinked a few times when John responded to this statement with a laugh. “What?”
    “You make me sound like a conspiracy nut. It’s just funny. Sorry. Go ahead.” John was having way too much fun.
    He needed to bring this meeting to a close soon. He thought she was more comfortable with him, and that had been his ultimate goal. He had to tell her about Lycan, and that was best accomplished when she wasn’t drenched with the smell of fear. Unlike their last meeting, he hadn’t caught even a whiff of fear from her today. Actually, that might explain his excellent mood. Lizzie smelled like lust and want. He hadn’t actively noticed until now, but he was pretty sure his wolf had been aware on some level.
    “Um. You are. A conspiracy nut, I mean. Just because the conspiracy is real, doesn’t make you any less of a nut.” Lizzie blinked wide, innocent eyes at him.
    Awesome. She thought he was a nut. The reveal conversation should go really well.
    “ Can’t you just ask someone else how the book works? It’s a family book—so maybe a distant cousin, an elderly aunt?”