Aaron stared straight ahead over the water. Alex’s plan would resolve the problem, he supposed. But something else was bothering Aaron. Something that stirred inside him. A dormant longing. A reawakening craving that was both thrilling and threatening.
Aaron clutched his vest, pressing his fist against the spot in his chest that stirred. It was almost painful. He thought about Quill. And he thought about Artimé. He thought of the stunning mansion and the majestic jungle and the beautiful lighthouse on the hill. He thought about all the magical abilities he’d already attained, and those yet to be discovered.
He pictured himself wearing the swishing, colorful robe, and sitting at the head mage’s desk, and strolling over the entire island with the sun shining, the glorious green sea sparkling with whitecaps, and people—his people—fawning over him. It was everything he’d once dreamed about, and had finally given up hope of ever having. He didn’t think he’d ever want it again. But now his mouth watered. A grimace crossed his face. He swallowed hard.
It pained Aaron to break away from the images. He dropped his hand to the railing and squeezed it until his knuckles turned white. He shut his eyes tightly, trying to block the images. “Applecorn,” he muttered, opening his eyes.
The sun disappeared behind a cloud, turning the seawater gray. Aaron let out a breath. After a moment he let his grip slack on the railing. He looked over his shoulder at Alex, who was looking back earnestly, expectantly at him.
Aaron shifted his gaze. “Okay,” he said lightly. “I’ll do it.”
? ? ? ?
When the boat reached Artimé’s lagoon and the boys finally arrived back at the mansion, Alex brought Aaron up to his office. He chose a carefully hung robe from the rack in the corner, folded it, and placed it on his desk. Then he grabbed The Triad spell book from a drawer, gripped it tightly for a moment, and put it on top of the robe. From his pocket Alex pulled the letter that he’d written on the boat, which would explain everything in the event of his death, and slipped it inside the book. He picked them up and turned toward Aaron, who stood stiffly nearby.
“I’m not sure how to do this,” Alex admitted. “I haven’t found a book on transferring the duties of head mage yet, if there even is one.” He glanced up at the ugly artwork that held the code to restoring Artimé. “But I declare here and now, in this magical office, in the presence of these magical pieces of art that hold the secret to this world, that I am hereby turning over the position of head mage of Artimé to my brother, Aaron Stowe.”
With a solemn look, Alex held out the robe, the book, and the note to Aaron.
Aaron stared at them. He worked his jaw as he tried to control the desire that roiled inside him. And then he held out a quivering hand and took the items. “Okay,” he said, in a voice not quite his own. “Is that it? Is it done?”
“I guess so,” Alex said, feeling very weird. “I’ll keep wearing my robe, of course. And you should just keep yours with you. If I die in battle, Artimé should continue on. But if Artimé ever disappears, the instructions for restoring it are in the book. Claire, Lani, and Sky all know the spell too.”
Aaron finally dared look his brother in the eye. “Okay,” he said. He gazed at the items Alex had given him, and then he rolled the robe tightly and bound it, and slid it inside his vest, tucking it out of sight. He clutched the book. “I’ll memorize the spell tonight so I won’t need the book, or help from anyone.”
“Good plan,” said Alex.
Aaron hesitated. “This is strange.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure I like it.”
Alex looked at the floor. “I’ve been in too many fights and seen too many friends die. I’m prepared for the worst. You’ve actually eased my mind quite a bit with your immortality.”
“That’s strange too. Picturing my life going on when other people are gone. I don’t know quite what to think. It’s fine for now, but what about someday? You know?”
Alex nodded. “Yeah. It’s almost too weird to imagine. But I guess there will always be the scientists for you.”
“Maybe I can convince them to move here if I end up staying mage,” Aaron murmured, more to himself than to Alex.
Alex frowned. “Hopefully that won’t happen, though,” he said. “Right?”
Aaron’s eyes widened. “Oh, right—of course!” he exclaimed. “I . . . I shouldn’t have said that.”
They stayed together for a few more moments, working out the details of the plan and promising strict secrecy regarding their mage arrangement. They didn’t need anything to detract from concentrating on the task at hand—preparing for the battle of a lifetime.
Getting Ready