And on that note, Nick went inside to find his mom. Bubba was in the living room talking to Phil. He interrupted them only long enough to find out where Bubba had taken her, then he headed up to the guest room.
Entering the bedroom, Nick approached the huge bed that was decorated with maroon and gold, and looked down at his mom as she slept. She looked so frail against the dark gold sheets.
Protect your mama, boy. His father’s voice rang in his ears, but he didn’t need to hear his dad to know his obligations. He was the man of the house and it was his job to protect her.
Even when she didn’t want it.
And right now, they had to go stop an apocalypse and hopeful y save a friend. Not to mention the city that would be overrun by zombies soon if they didn’t get to the mortents and drive them back to their hole.
Nick shook his head at the irony. Just yesterday his biggest concern was catching up in chem class after having been shot. Now it was saving the world.
I’m too young for this. . . .
“Unfortunately, you’re not.”
He turned at the sound of Ambrose’s voice. “Where’d you go?”
“To get this.” Ambrose handed him an old leather-bound book that was just a hair larger than a thin paperback novel.
Nick opened it, then frowned as he saw nothing but blank pages. “What is this? A journal?”
“Your grimoire. As you unlock your powers, incantations wil appear that wil al ow you to further hone your skil s. Pages wil be added.”
“Isn’t that backwards? Shouldn’t I have instructions first?” Ambrose shook his head. “It doesn’t work that way.” He indicated Nick’s pocket. “You stil have the dagger I gave you?
”
“Yeah.”
“Pul it out and place it on the first page.” Nick set the book on the dresser since he only had the one arm. He pul ed out the dagger and did what Ambrose said.
The moment he did, a peculiar script wrote itself across the page in bloodred ink. He started to ask Ambrose what it said, but as he looked at it, he understood.
How could that be?
The veil is thin and so you see.
What lies beneath the surface tree.
In this regard they’ll never fool.
But still be wary of becoming their tool .
Ambrose took the dagger from his hand and used it to prick his fingertip.
Nick cursed. “What are you doing?”
Ambrose didn’t answer. Instead he let three drops of blood splash on the page. “Dredanya eire coulet,” he whispered as they fel . Then the blood droplets rushed in a circle before they exploded and added more words to the page.
Tonight the moon rises full.
And you will feel evil’s pull.
Stand strong and fight them to the end.
Only by remaining faithful will you win .
Ambrose handed him the dagger back. “Any time you want advice or instruction, you can use that spel . In time, you’l be able to use it to find prophecy and foretel the future.” Nick gaped. “Real y?”
Ambrose inclined his head. “And on that note, I have to go.” He did look a bit pale, like something was draining his powers. “Good luck, Nick.”
“Thanks.”
Ambrose inclined his head before he faded out.
Nick took one last look at his mom, then the book, before he slid it into his back pocket. Steeled by determination, he left the room and went downstairs, where Phil and Bubba were stil talking. He’d overheard Phil saying earlier that Kyrian had told him to come and look after him and his mom.
It didn’t make sense to Nick that Phil would be at Kyrian’s beck and cal , but far be it from him to question it. If he knew anything it was that adults didn’t like tel ing kids anything they didn’t have to.
Phil smiled at him. “Don’t worry, Nick. I’l protect her til you get back.”
Bubba eyed Phil suspiciously. “I don’t know if there’s much you could do if someone broke in.”
An insidious smile curved Phil’s lips. “Don’t let the suit fool you. I promise I’m a lot tougher than I look.” Nick frowned as he saw the strangest thing … it was a spiderweb tattoo on Phil’s hand. Granted it was faint, but there was no missing it. It completely went against Phil’s posh dress and upper-crust demeanor. “That’s cool. You get it when you were young?”
Phil covered the tattoo with his other hand. “I did indeed.”
“Nick?” Bubba said to get his attention. “We need to head out.”
He thanked Phil for watching after his mom before he fol owed Caleb, Alex, and Bubba to the SUV. Nick sighed as he got in and took his seat. “Is it just me or has this been the longest night?”
Bubba snorted. “You do what I do, kid, and they get even longer.”
Nick noticed there was a thick air of sadness around Bubba as he started the truck. “You’re worried about Mark?” Bubba bristled as if offended by the question, but Nick recognized that bluster. Bubba was definitely upset and concerned. “Why would I be worried about him? He’s a tough little son of a biscuit eater. No zombie could get him. He’s better than that.”