Forward produced nothing. The book didn't budge side to side. But when Deimos 's hand pulled on it? That was when the mechanism beneath the 'book' was activated, resisting at first, but with a firm hand and strong muscles working at it, an ancient wire attached to the base of the book-shaped lever was tugged back, tripping old gears that released with a puff of dust. The wall behind the shelf clicked and swung back a few inches on rusted hinges.
A little more effort to push the hidden door further open would reveal a hidden chamber where some long ago afficcionado of mystery books (and tropes) had too much time on their hands to indulge their hobby. A desk and chair remained within, dark with age and grey with dust, but otherwise in good shape. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books that had been protected from the paper wasp infestation, and though the air was musty and stale the tomes within were in good condition. Deimos would be able to peruse the collection and find a good selection of tales within, from stories of teen sleuths to macabre murder whodunnits and quite a bit in between.
A little more effort to push the hidden door further open would reveal a hidden chamber where some long ago afficcionado of mystery books (and tropes) had too much time on their hands to indulge their hobby. A desk and chair remained within, dark with age and grey with dust, but otherwise in good shape. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books that had been protected from the paper wasp infestation, and though the air was musty and stale the tomes within were in good condition. Deimos would be able to peruse the collection and find a good selection of tales within, from stories of teen sleuths to macabre murder whodunnits and quite a bit in between.
