Spirited Legacy (Lost Library) by Kate Baray Page A

drifting out the window.
    Curiouser and curiouser. But if he didn’t want to discuss it— “There’s an entry from a little over two years ago.”
    His head whipped around. “What does it say?”
    Lizzie closed her eyes, whispering the words as they came to her. “I can only hope as I pass along this beautiful burden that the book’s next home will bring it closer to the Pack, it’s one true home. I wish you everything that is good, Elizabeth, as you assume from me this gift, this burden.”
    She opened her eyes to find John studying her intently.
    “I had no idea,” she said.
    He frowned in confusion. “About what?”
    “Who had it before? That she knew me? Why she picked me?” She chewed her lip. “You just look a bit peeved, so I thought I’d assert my innocence and ignorance proactively. You know, cover my butt.” Okay, she was rambling. He smiled. More than that, muscles taut with tension eased. “No need on my account. I like a bare ass as much as the next guy.”
    He’d pitched his voice low, and she was certain no one else had heard. She still blushed a fiery red.

Chapter 8
     
     
    M emories of his father, who was Alpha before Logan assumed control of the Pack, pressed in on John. But Lizzie—curiosity and concern practically vibrating off her—brought him back to the present. He couldn’t resist teasing her. Or making her blush. His father was far, far in the past, and Lizzie was his Here and his Now. His smile widened.
    “You know this means a—” She frowned in annoyance and lowered her voice still lower. “— a person like me was in possession of the book, at least for a little while, before it landed in my mailbox.”
    A single huff of a half laugh escaped. He couldn’t help finding her efforts at discretion and secrecy laughable. She was terrible at covert ops.
    “What’s funny? That’s big news, right?” She glanced down at the book in her hands. She fingered the worn green edges thoughtfully.
    He wiped the humor from his voice. “Absolutely. Completely unexpected, in fact. It begs the question why she didn’t return the book to the Pack, or seek us out.” This was the first effort Lizzie had made with the book since she’d had access to her magic. It was an important first step. And it begged the question—“What did you ask it?”
    As John understood the process, the spell caster—who the Lycan called Record Keeper—formulated questions, and the book responded. Or it didn’t.
    “I thought I might be able to use the book to answer some questions about significant others and their function in…your town.” She shook her head at him. “I know. Don’t start.”
    Since he had no idea what she was talking about, he was content to remain silent.
    “But then I realized the information might be out of date since it wasn’t clear when the book went missing.”
    He nodded. “So you asked about the last entry. Which happened to be about you.”
    “I get a sense of sadness from her. Maybe because she’s letting the book go?” Lizzie looked troubled. “I didn’t know these books could hold emotions.”
    John tried to keep his voice light, but probably failed. He’d done the math, if the book had disappeared in the seventies, then…. “Or you’re getting some of her feelings for the Pack.”
    Lizzie shot him a quick glance. “Something I should know?”
    “Probably.” That didn’t mean he was ready to talk about it. “I do know that Logan claims there were no Record Keepers affiliated with the pack before or during his tenure as Alpha, so that takes us back to the fifties.”
    “Eh. I’m not so sure.” At his raised brow, she clarified. “Naturally, that could be the case. But isn’t it also possible you didn’t know? How would you know? You only guessed I was a Record Keeper because I had the book.”
    At least she’d stopped with the euphemisms. They’d apparently progressed enough with her comfort level that they could openly talk shop. He did a quick