Tears of relief spill down my cheeks, and despite my pain, I smile.
Draegan.
Chapter Six
ROOK
Alone in the Blackmoor library, the crackling fire and familiar stacks of ancient tomes my only company, I’m deep into a book on demonology and summoning theories when I feel it.
Like a cool breath on the back of my neck, or a subtle shift in the earth not quite strong enough to rattle the windows, but just enough to leave me unbalanced.
Goosebumps ripple across my arms, and I rise from the table, abandoning the demonology book to go investigate.
Nothing seems amiss in the barn—main room, loft, kitchen, bath, everything is quiet. Nothing odd on the security feeds either. But the moment I step outside, the ominous feeling intensifies.
The night is so silent and still, it feels as if every living creature has abandoned this place.
No crickets. No bats. Not the hoot of an owl or even a chill autumn breeze to rustle the apple trees.
And no ravens, either.
What the hell?
I could’ve sworn they were with me in the library earlier. Generally, they come and go as they please, but they never fly far from the property, always sticking close even when West isn’t around.
“Huxley?” I call out. “Lucinda?”
Nothing. Not so much as a distant squawk or flap of black wings over the orchard.
I’m about to chalk it off to an overactive imagination spurned on by the demonology deep-dive, but the moment I turn back toward the library, a bright burst of light explodes inside.
Fire? Fear grips me in a tight fist, and I barge back in through the doors, desperate to put it out before it devours my entire collection.
But it’s no fire.
It’s… Holy shit. It’s the Cerridwen Codex.
It’s open, light emanating from its pages like a sunrise cresting over the table.
A shiver runs down my spine, dread sinking deep in my gut. We’ve been trying to crack this thing open ever since we stole it from Forsythe. I should be celebrating, but this? No. Something isn’t right. I can feel it.
I approach it slowly, as if the thing’s a wild animal poised to strike, because that’s exactly the energy it’s giving off. As soon as I get close to the table, the light changes to a deep violet. Tiny lightning bolts arc across the pages. It’s like it’s warning me to stay back.
And then the wind starts up. For a second I think I’ve left a door open, but no. This damn book seems to be generating its own weather system.
The wind picks up in earnest, sending my demonology notes scattering across the other table. I scramble after them, gathering everything up as best as I can before another gust hits, whipping my hair around my face, sending books toppling from the shelves.
What the fuck is going on with this thing?
I stash my research in a kitchen cupboard and make my way back toward the Codex, fighting against the increasing rage of the storm. Within seconds, the harsh wind turns vicious. Books and pieces of computer equipment sail past me, swept up in a strange magical tornado.
Curling my wings around me to avoid a direct hit to the face, I stretch out a hand and reach for the Codex. My fingers brush the outer edge, and a painful spark shoots up my arm. Another try, another shock, this one worse than the last. I dare to take another step closer, but it’s like the damn thing senses my intentions—it smashes me with a gust of wind so intense, it knocks me on my ass.
I spot my tablet on the ground and snatch it up, then drag myself back outside, slamming the door shut on the Codex and its freaky magic.
Winded, I smash out a group text to the boys—Codex just cracked itself open. Damn thing won’t let me get near it—unleashed some kind of magical storm INSIDE the library. Bad feeling about this one. You guys all okay? Get your asses home!
Auggie responds immediately.Something’s definitely wrong—we felt it too. Last heard from Drae when they left the bank hours ago. Can’t reach them now. Sit tight—Jude & I are heading out from Queens to search the roads & highways. Keep trying Drae’s phone and let me know if you hear anything.
