A Book of Spirits and Thieves

What just happened? “Excuse me?”


“First you’re going to break us out of this dungeon. And second we’re going to use your magic to destroy Valoria and save the world.”





Chapter 13


CRYSTAL



The University of Toronto was so close to the Speckled Muse that in mere minutes after she left the bookshop, she found herself among the buildings and residences of the expansive St. George campus that was integrated into the heart of the city like just another neighborhood surrounding the green-and-blue football field.

Jackie hadn’t given her much to go on, just a name and a department, so she did her best. But it wasn’t long until she had to admit she was overwhelmed. A campus like this made the halls of her high school look like a dollhouse in comparison. She’d never had a great sense of direction to begin with, so even with the YOU ARE HERE signs, she had a difficult time finding her way along the labyrinthine streets and pathways.

“Do you know where I can find Dr. Vega?” Crys asked a student, who ignored her completely, keeping her attention on the screen of her phone.

She asked someone else.

“Who?” the girl asked distractedly.

“Dr. Vega. He’s in the Anthropology Department?”

The student flicked her hand but didn’t slow her steps. “I think it’s over there somewhere.”

“Over . . . where?” Crys began, but the girl had already walked away.

She stopped in her tracks and tried to compose herself by snapping a few pictures of the ornate, multilayered Romanesque arch over the south entrance of the main University College building on King’s College Circle. So beautiful, like something she’d expect to find in Europe, only a short walk from her own home.

But admiring pretty stone archways wouldn’t help her current situation.

“Breathe,” she told herself. “You’re not lost or in over your head, you’re just dealing with a momentary setback. One more picture, then let’s go find one of those maps again.”

Another student walked through the shot just as she took it.

“Hey!” she protested grumpily.

“Sorry.” The male student raised an eyebrow. “Are you lost? Anything I can do?”

Crys lowered her camera. The guy was twenty, maybe twenty-one. Blond hair, dreamy dark blue eyes, completely gorgeous, like a model or an actor. She searched his face but couldn’t find a single flaw.

“Is it that obvious I’m lost?” She tried to sound as calm as possible. “Vega. I mean, Dr. Vega. I’m looking for his office in the Anthropology Department. Can you help?”

“Of course I can,” he said.

“My hero.” She groaned inwardly. If she didn’t watch it, she’d be giggling in a minute.

Crystal Hatcher didn’t giggle.

He turned and pointed. “Head through here and turn left on Saint George Street and then right on Russell. The Anthropology Building will be on your left. You’ll find Dr. Vega’s office there.” His smile widened, showing off perfect white teeth. “Closer than you probably thought you were, right? Never lose hope.”

She breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Thank you so much.”

“Any time I can be a hero for a beautiful girl like you, it’s my honor. Have a good day.” With another smile, he turned and began walking in the other direction.

A beautiful girl like me? Nobody had ever called her beautiful to her face before; that was a compliment usually reserved for her sister.

She took another snapshot of the guy, noting that he looked good from both the front and the back.

Maybe she’d have to rethink her original plan to not go to university.

Crys shook her head, trying to clear it. She wasn’t usually so quickly smitten by guys just because they were good-looking.

Whatever, she told herself, and then headed confidently in the right direction.

In the Anthropology Building, she finally found a list of offices. Dr. Uriah Vega was on the second floor.

She took a deep breath before getting in the elevator, then navigated the gray hallway, before she found the door that held his name placard. After only a slight hesitation, she knocked.

When the only reply she heard was a grunt, she knocked again.

“Well, come in, then,” a grudging voice said. “And be quick about it.”

She turned the handle and eased the door open.

A man sat behind a desk piled high with stacks of paper surrounding an old computer covered in colorful sticky notes. He had reddish-blond hair, thinning across his scalp, round wire-rim glasses, and an unfriendly scowl on his face.

“If this is about the paper due today, I’m not taking anyone’s excuses. If you’re late, you’ll be penalized.”

Her heart thundered. “Dr. Vega?”

“Who else would I be? And to remind you, students need to make appointments to see me outside of my listed hours. Check the door.”

“I’m not a student.”

His scowl deepened. “Then who are you and what are you doing here?”