A Book of Spirits and Thieves

“Yes, I’m sure he does.” Markus’s gaze remained steady on her. “I know Jackie Kendall has recently acquired the Codex. I also know that you and your mother are quite close with your aunt, despite the fact that her main residence is in England now. Do you know where the Codex is?”


Denying that Jackie got the book or saying she didn’t know what he was talking about would be a waste of her breath, but at least she could answer with the absolute truth. “I have no idea where it is right now.”

He pressed the tips of his fingers together. “The Codex was stolen from me a long time ago, but it is mine and I need it back, now more than ever before. It is filled with the magic I need to help protect this world from evil.”

“You want to protect this world . . . with magic.” Her father had left this part of Markus’s mission out of their previous conversation.

“Yes.” He paused, allowing his previous words to sink in. “If you really want to join my society, then you will do what I ask. Locate that Codex and return it to me.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but, like I said, I don’t know where it is.”

“Perhaps. But I believe that you—and possibly only you—can find it for me. I see in your eyes that you have the capacity and intelligence to understand how grave this matter is. You are very special, Ms. Hatcher. And I would be honored to welcome you into Hawkspear. If you agree to help me, if you stand by my side along with your father, you could make such a difference to the future of this world.”

She bit her bottom lip and searched for a suitable response. Markus made her tongue-tied like no one else ever had.

He’d confirmed that the book was made of magic, just as Dr. Vega had theorized.

It was the Codex’s otherworldly magic that had sent Becca into her strange coma. She’d known this deep down the whole time, but to have it confirmed by an immortal god himself . . .

“I know it’s a lot to ask,” Markus said gently. “I do. But promise me you’ll try.”

What could she say? Let me think about it for a few days and I’ll e-mail you?

No.

“I’ll try,” she said quietly. “I promise I’ll try.”

She stood up, more than ready to leave this place, to escape into the fresh air where she could breathe and think.

“Thank you.” Again, that smile managed to captivate her, leaving her head foggy and unclear, just as it had on the university grounds. He drew closer to her, taking both her hands in his. “I’ll be in touch again very soon, Ms. Hatcher.”





Chapter 20


MADDOX



Maddox, Barnabas, and Becca continued their journey to the witch’s house. Maddox had been keeping a close eye on Becca ever since the events of the previous night, but she appeared to have fully recovered from the hungry spirit who’d nearly devoured her before his eyes.

“You keep looking at me,” Becca said as they trudged across a wide, overgrown field covered in daisies. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Maddox said.

“Positive.”

“You were so brave.”

“Yeah, right.”

“You were,” he insisted. “If something was to happen to you . . .”

“Maddox,” Barnabas interrupted. “Leave the girl alone. You’ve inquired about her well-being at least a dozen times since breakfast.”

Maddox glared at him. “You can’t possibly understand our conversations from only hearing my side of them.”

“I understand them well enough to wish for cotton to stuff in my ears.”

“I’ll find you something to stuff in your ears.”

“What did you say?” Barnabas glanced over his shoulder with a conspiratorial grin.

“Nothing,” he grumbled. “Are we nearly there?” They’d crossed through the field and now found themselves at the edges of a small village.

“We are indeed. Camilla lives somewhere around here.”

“You don’t know where?”

“No, not exactly.” He paused and stroked his beard, turning around in a circle to survey the area. Cottages dotted the landscape before them, which led up a grassy hill. Two hundred paces ahead was the village center, where they could see a tavern and a busy market.

Becca and Maddox shared a look and continued to follow Barnabas as he randomly weaved through the village, peering in windows and knocking on doors.

Finally, a helpful passerby pointed him in the right direction.

Just in time, too. Maddox’s feet were getting unbearably sore, and he was more than ready to rest. “So which cottage is hers?”

“We will know when we get there.”

“What do you mean, we’ll know when we get—” Maddox felt something tighten around his leg. A fierce yank pulled him up off his feet, and suddenly he was swinging from his ankles, viewing the world from upside down.

Barnabas, now also upside down, glanced up at the rope that had ensnared him. “We’ll know because she’s sure to have set traps for intruders. We’re here!”

Becca regarded them both with lighthearted concern. “Wish I could help.”

“Me too,” Maddox replied as he swung on the rope.