"Here you go, enjoy it. If you need the others in the series let me know." Sheryl Call said as she handed over a book to her customer. The day had started as any other. The shop wasn't super busy but it was enough to keep her busy.
Her customer gave her a smile, thanking her as he paid for the book bidding her goodbye. After he left she let out a sigh.
It's been quiet… Stone must be going nuts…
Dragon Stone Book Store wasn't the most popular place but in general there was always good business… For the most part. There was only one part about running the store that Sheryl never liked since she took over.
"Ms. Call?"
Oh great, I know that voice…
Sheryl turned her attention to the door to see a woman with long blond hair, and grey eyes, dressed in a simple brown trench coat, green scarf and jeans. Sheryl was very familiar with this woman.
"What is it this time Allison, did Stone and I break a rule without trying again?"
Allison rolled her eyes.
"You know very well why I'm here, there's only one particular reason I come to this store other than to set you straight on occasion."
Sheryl sighed.
"What are we in for this time, no wait don't tell me… A real life Pokemon? I hear those are popular in trade as of recently, great for market."
Allison shook her head.
"No, you and Stone Flame wouldn't be able to handle that anyway, what I have for you is much more important and very dangerous."
"A Medusa head?"
"Sheryl."
"What?"
Allison fixed her a look. "This is more important and dangerous than a Medusa head or man eating tarantula combined."
"Oh, this must be real serious then, alright, show me what you got."
Allison nodded, presenting a small pale brown book.
"This, is the book of Black Pen, I'm sure you're familiar with the story behind it."
Sherly nodded, eyes a bit wide.
"One of the most well known and dangerous book criminals sealed in his own creation. You're seriously going to leave this with us?"
"It's only here until a Magic Observers come to pick it up, it won't be hard to keep an eye on… then again, this is you and Stone Flame we're talking about."
"Oh can it, I know we're not the greatest trading post but in all honesty, it's not something we're good at, we're professionals at running a bookstore, not this trading nonsense... and you know I hate this part of running this store, makes me wish I was a human running a normal bookstore."
"Oh please, have you seen what the humans read? Makes me shudder some days… vampires that shine in the daylight.."
"Yeah I'd never let that book series in this store, and keep in mind I have more than what Magins write but we're getting off subject. We'll keep an eye on the bad boy just please make sure the Magic Observer gets here quick, I really don't want another bad incident, I'm in enough trouble as it is."
Allison nodded handing the book over.
"Just keep it safe, simple as that."
"Right…"
"Well I'm off, see you later Ms. Call."
Allison left without another word.
Sheryl stared at the book in her hands sighing.
I really hate this part of the job… and I can't screw this one up or I'm really going to be in the dog house with the Magic Observers.
Sheryl was not kidding when she said they weren't the best trading post. Many incidents involved losing the item or worse, it got broken. She really didn't understand why of all things they would trust her with a book that contained one of the most dangerous criminals in Magin history.
But she supposed a job was a job… somebody had to do it, even if it was an unpleasant one.
Please just let this end well…
Sheryl made her way over to a small dragon statue that was holding a bowl out for tips.
"Stone Flame, closing time, you can wake up now."
In a puff of smoke the statue became a real live dragon.
"Finally, my back was getting sore." the dragon whined, stretching a little. He looked in his bowl, disappointed to find it empty.
"Darn, no tips."
"It's alright Stone Flame, not every day is going to be successful, now, I got a job for you tonight."
Stone Flame tilted his head to the side.
"What?"
Sherly presented the book to him.
"Guard duty, it's another trade post item so keep a good eye on this thing."
"Of course I will!" The dragon gave a slight eyeroll. "I'm not a hatchling."
Sheryl gave him a serious look. "This is more important than the others… and they still remember that time that spirit urn got destroyed…" She got closer and whispered.
"If we fail…"
Stone gulped a little.
"No more skittles… EVER."
Stone Flame gasped.
"I promise I won't let this book out of my sight at all!"
"Good boy, I need to get home, see tomorrow."
Stone Flame watched Sheryl leave the shop locking him in along with the book.
"Okay, skittles are at stake, I will not mess this up!" he declared to himself finding an empty bookshelf he could curl up in with the book. Once he got settled the dragon tried his best to remain awake…
But that wasn't an easy task, especially when one was curled up and comfortable. He started to nod off trying to slap himself awake with his tail. Gradually he fell into a deep sleep… accidentally knocking the book clean off the shelf as he rolled over.
What came next was something Stone Flame and Sheryl thought would never happen upon the first day of receiving a trade item. Outside a mysterious figure picked carefully at the lock of the door. Soon as they were done they snuck in quietly looking through every part of the store till they came upon the book.
Grinning the figure picked it up and quickly made their way out. Stone Flame hadn't realized what had occurred till the sound of the front door creaking aroused him from his slumber.
Stone Flame looked around him and realized what was missing very quickly. His eyes widened and he began to search the store, maybe he had moved it in his sleep?
"Sheryl's gonna kill me!"
