The Summoning (Custodes Noctis) Read Online Free

conclusions.”
    “Those who were here Before.” Borja nodded. “They are why you are here.”
    “The Keepers.”
    “No, you and your brother.” The man grinned and finished his coffee. “Never doubt.” He paid for his items and left.
    Rob watched him go then poured himself another cup and wandered over to the books. They needed re-arranging. He pulled all the books off the shelves, dusted the wood and considered them for a minute. After deciding how he would arrange them, he began re-shelving them, letting his mind drift. He’d discovered a long time ago that if his hands were occupied he could focus his mind and chase things that were less tangible with greater ease. One of his professors had explained it during a lecture, a long, boring lecture, but the fact was Rob found it easier to meditate if his hands had something to do. He’d never been one for just sitting and thinking. Maybe it was because of those hours he’d been trapped as a child. Or maybe… He shoved that memory away, not ready to face it tonight.
    Once he had the books in the order he wanted, he turned to the storeroom. They’d received several large orders that hadn’t been completely gone through. Galen had checked the packing slips, but left the rest for Rob to take care of during his nocturnal shopkeeping. Rob opened the first box and started going through it, carefully arranging items in piles that he would move either into the shop or onto the storeroom shelves. Halfway through the second box, he found several books he’d ordered for his research collection. He made the mistake of opening one of them, and the rest of the sorting was forgotten as he began reading.
    “How long have you been sitting there?” Galen asked, coming down the stairs.
    “What?” Rob looked up, the soft light of a rainy morning was coming through the back window. “Uh…” Glancing at the pile of books beside him, he frowned. “Two books?”
    “You’ve been sitting there for two books?” His brother sighed. “English? Or something else?”
    “One English, one Latin, so not too long, I don’t think.” Rob stood and stretched. His left foot was asleep, he wiggled it to get the blood flowing again. “I’ll go get coffee.” He realized the pot he’d made the night before wasn’t empty. Or was that the second pot? He’d been so absorbed in reading, he’d completely lost track of the time.
    “I was expecting it to be waiting,” Galen said, giving him an odd look.
    Rob smiled and walked through the shop. It was drizzling, a typical Northwest drizzle, although it was warm. He wasn’t sure if that made it better or worse. It made Galen happy because the plants loved it and Rob had endured his brother’s enthusiastic explanations about how plants preferred rain to hand watering. He personally suspected it had more to do with his brother’s Gifts than the rain, but he just let Galen talk. The morning air was heavy with the scent of coffee, flowers and rain. Rob couldn’t help smiling as he headed across the street.
    “Morning, Rob, you’re late,” Becci said, sliding the window open. “I’ve had one ready for ten minutes.”
    “Thanks.” He pulled her down for a quick kiss before taking the cup, leaning against the stand and waiting for her to make more. “I was reading.”
    “I saw the light on in the back. I almost knocked, but I was running a little late and the boss is a bitch.”
    “You’re the boss,” Rob said, grinning at her.
    “I know, right?” She laughed and started Galen’s mocha. “How was business last night?”
    “Borja dropped by, but that’s all. I spent most of the night unpacking orders.”
    “Until you found some books?”
    “Well, yeah, until then. They were for the research section, and I’ve been waiting for them, but I wanted to make sure they were okay before I put them out.”
    “You mean you wanted to play with your toys before anyone else?” Becci giggled, the smile lighting her eyes in the way that