Codex

by Megan Fatheree

  “Is it almost done?” Leah whined from the doorway. Amorette’s stepmother’s precious youngest, always begging to have her way.

  “Just a few minutes.” Amorette stirred the boiling soup and willed it to cook faster. Anything to get away from these people for a few minutes.

  By the time the carrots were soft and the celery no longer crunchy, Leah’s unruly brother Lucas had joined her at the table. Amorette chose to ignore the whispering they did about her. Things she would never do or even think of. Their tongues never stopped wagging when it came to degrading their stepsister.

  Amorette pulled three bowls from the cabinet and filled each with a generous portion of soup. The instant she set them on the table, the vultures swooped in to devour them. Amorette merely rolled her eyes again and headed for her room. It wasn’t worth sticking around to hear the abuse. They’d used it all on her before, anyway.

  “Be sure to come back and clean it!” Her stepmother called as she joined the vulture twins.

  Amorette waved a hand over her head at them, a dismissive motion meant to replace her harsh words. “Whatever.”

  “Hey, don’t be so flippant!” Her stepmother shrieked.

  Too late. Amorette had already shut her door and dumped her backpack on the ground. It wasn’t that her room was silent by any means, but it was at least quieter. And she could be alone. That was the important thing.

  Amorette snatched her bag and tossed it onto the bed beside her. There was only one way to drown out the screeching argument from the other room. She would lose herself in a book. As soon as she was comfortable.

  Amorette pulled out the book and set it on the bed. She grabbed an over-sized sweatshirt and a pair of shorts, then headed into her tiny bathroom. At least it was hers. That was all she could ask for at this point.

  Fifteen minutes later she crawled into bed, clean and comfy. The book waited patiently beside her pillow. A pillow which she squished into something to cuddle against her chest.

  “Alright, impossible man. What’s your secret?” Amorette flipped open the ancient journal and began to read. Anything to keep the impending tears at bay.

  EADRIC WRINKLED HIS nose at the graphics on his screen. He’d never seen worse characters from the planning department. With an exasperated sigh, he sent a quick email to request a meeting with these particular designers. How did they get hired if they couldn’t do their jobs?

  He scrubbed his hands back through his hair, unsure why he was so angry this morning. Perhaps the knowledge that one of his personal journals was floating out there, lost and in the wrong hands. He couldn’t let Codex find it.

  His cell phone vibrated on the desk beside him. Eadric snatched it up without looking at the caller identification.

  “Hello?”

  “Mister Hawkmore!” Doon’s voice sounded distant, muffled.

  Eadric knit his brow and glanced at the phone. “Where are you?”

  “That’s not important right now.” The distinct sound of chewing came over the line. “What is important is that I think I found that item you’re looking for.”

  It seemed Doon was actually a useful person when he put his mind to it. Hopefully, he would continue to serve Eadric as well in the future.

  “Well, I’m waiting. Where is it? Do you have it?”

  “No. You didn’t tell me what to do once I found it and that legendary temper of yours isn’t something I want to run into.” Doon huffed, followed by the distinct sound of a food wrapper.

  Eadric rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers. “Where is it, Doon?”

  “I told you, I don’t have it.” This time he most definitely spoke with his mouth full.

  Eadric was done with these games. He needed the beginning of his story back. The last of his calm demeanor dissolved. “Doon! Tell me its whereabouts.”

  “Okay, okay...” Doon fell silent, presumably to look at the address. “It’s some little bookstore hidden in some crevice of an old strip mall...”

  “Text me the address. I’ll go myself.” Eadric stood and gathered his things. This could finally be the real thing.

  “Of course. Mister Hawkmore, about that credit card-”

  Eadric hung up and slung his jackets onto his shoulders. Finally, after all this time, he could once more see his journal back where it belonged.

  One of the security personnel fell in step behind him as Eadric stormed for the doors. He immediately turned and held out a hand. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for doing your job, but I’m more than capable of caring for this matter alone.”

  The man folded his hands in front of himself with a nod. “Yes, sir.”

  Eadric didn’t bother to say anything else. Their discussion ended with his command. He sailed out the doors and toward his car. His phone chimed in his pocket as he turned the engine. He would never tire of the soft purr his SUV emitted. Nor was he anything but convinced that the text message was the address Doon found for him.

  It was time to fish for information on his own. Time to meet whoever held the beginning of his story in their clutches.

  Eadric tapped the address into the GPS and pressed the gas pedal to the floor.

  He arrived at the address in record time. There wasn’t much to show for it, just a glass door with a single title on its top pane. The Nook. Aptly named, he supposed, especially for the tiny shop nestled in the corner of the run-down strip mall.

  How was it possible for something so small to find its way across oceans and into this pathetic little shop? Eadric sighed and climbed out of his car.

  It could be wrong information. Otto searched for years. Eadric had gotten used to getting his hopes up and then finding it wasn’t what he searched for.

  Today felt different. Somehow, Eadric was certain Doon found the real artifact. All he had to do was retrieve it.

  A passel of bells jingled over the door as he pushed it open. The sound was quaint and somehow soothing. The scent of paper and glue, new and ancient, drew him further into the dim atmosphere.

  “Hello there. Welcome to The Nook.”

  Eadric glanced to the source of the voice, a thin woman with blonde hair and her nose buried in the latest romance novel. What kind of hired help did a place like this put up with nowadays?

  “I’m looking for the proprietor.”

  “You found her.” The woman jerked a thumb toward her own chest.

  Oh, good heavens, no. This woman was the epitome of the stigma surrounding fair-haired young women. “Surely you jest.”

  “Nope.” She snapped the book shut and slammed it down on the counter. “Melodia Morris, at your service. What can I help you find?”

  “I’m looking for an old... volume. Bound in black and handwritten. Held together with cords of the same leather.” Eadric folded his hands behind his back, perusing the books nearby. “Have you seen it?” He turned his head, staring at Melodia as if he could see her very soul.

  Melodia tilted her head, studying him right back. “I don’t have that book anymore.”

  “Anymore?” Eadric took a step closer, sizing up how much intimidation it might take to break her.

  “I run a store. I sold it.” Melodia shrugged a shoulder. “You should have come sooner.”

  “I came as soon as I could.” Eadric ventured closer, taking in each corner of the little store. “It seems unlikely that you’d have sold it already. Who but me would have interest in such a volume?”

  “There are plenty of people who collect old and rare books.” Melodia reached for her novel again. “Sometimes even journals. And, no, I can’t give out my customers’ personal information.”

  “I never said it was a journal.” Eadric shot a narrowed gaze her direction.

  Melodia shrugged again. “You described it as a journal. Handwritten, black leather with binding. A journal.”

  Eadric relaxed a fraction of an inch, but something still felt fishy to him. His fingers traced the spines of the nearby books, seeking a spot on the shelf to place the small el
ectronic device in his hand.

  “If that’s all you’re here for, and I no longer have it, I suggest you leave.” Melodia opened her book and turned her attention from Eadric.

  “Of course.” Eadric pasted on a fake smile. He turned for the door, reached up to caress the bells before he exited. They would offer a safer, clearer view of the shop anyway. “I suppose it would be too much to ask you to contact me if it’s returned.”

  “It won’t be.”

  She seemed so certain, but Eadric wasn’t quite at the point to believe her. He blew out an exasperated breath and stormed out. Maybe it wasn’t really gone. Maybe it was still sitting somewhere in her storeroom. He’d have to look.

  With a furtive glance in each direction, Eadric jogged to his car and headed for the alley behind the strip mall.

  [Episode 2]

  First Encounters

  “MI AMOR!”

  Amorette spun to catch sight of the owner of the voice. She couldn’t help a grin when she saw Hunter jogging her direction. She waved. Her bag hung heavy on her shoulders, but for Hunter she would make time.

  “How have you been?” Hunter pulled her into a quick hug. “We haven’t seen each other in too long. Are you doing okay? How’s your family treating you?”

  “You’re still calling me by that ridiculous nickname?” Amorette ducked her head. Her thumb brushed against the leather of the book in her arms. Even if she had fallen asleep before she got to read it, she couldn’t seem to put it down.

  “I don’t think it’s so ridiculous. It makes you smile.” Hunter rocked on his heels, his grin wider when she blushed. “You’re still excellent at changing the subject, I see.”

  Amorette giggled and shook her head. “There’s not a good answer for any of the questions you asked me.”

  “And now I’m depressed.” Hunter sighed. His hands, he shoved in his pockets. “It isn’t fair for them to treat you like this because you don’t belong to their clan.”

  “If we’re being honest, she treats her own kids like that too. I’m not special.” Amorette dragged her thumb against the corner of the book in her arms. Somehow, it was comforting to hold it close. To imagine that her impossible man cared what happened to her and watched over her. Stupid, that she thought like that. Life wasn’t a fairy-tale. Especially not for Amorette.

  “I’m sorry, Mi Amor.” Hunter rested a hand against her shoulder. “I’m only a phone call away though. What’s your number?”

  Amorette stared at him quizzically, but recited the numbers by heart. It was one of her most precious possessions, paid for by her own money.

  Hunter grinned again as Amorette’s phone chimed in her pocket. “And now you have my number, too. Don’t be a stranger. We should hang out more.”

  Amorette was so shocked that she almost dropped the book.

  Hunter reached out and caught it as it slipped. “Be careful. That looks old.”

  “It is.” Amorette clutched it tightly again. Today, she didn’t need a story to make her feel better.

  She smiled one last time at Hunter before she turned and headed for the storeroom door. She had sorting to do.

  The door already stood ajar as Amorette approached it. She frowned. Maybe she hadn’t pulled it all the way shut when she left the day before. Hopefully, Melodia hadn’t noticed.

  Amorette stepped into the dim interior and glanced around. Everything seemed in order, but... what was that noise? Like someone shuffling through a crate. She tiptoed through the aisles, searching for the source of the mysterious sound. What she found instead was a row of open crates and scattered books.

  “What in the world?”

  Amorette glanced across the mess. Someone had little care for the newer books, but judging by the stack of old tomes, they knew better than to throw history to and fro.

  Footsteps clicked across the concrete behind her.

  Amorette spun, wielding the black book like a weapon against whoever approached. “I know you’re there! Come out and no one will get hurt.”

  A man stepped out of the shadows and into the warehouse lights. He was beautiful, in a strange way. With dark, shaggy hair and eyes both sad and wise. His lips settled into a firm line as he surveyed her. Amorette wasn’t good with math or proportions, but this man had to be at least a foot taller than her, with broad shoulders and an elegant posture.

  He motioned to the book in her hands. “How much should I pay you for you to give me that volume?”

  Amorette blinked. She caught him rummaging through Melodia’s warehouse and all he wanted to know was how much for a book that wasn’t for sale?

  “I asked, how much for the tome you carry?” The man took a step closer.

  Amorette stepped back, away from his authoritative presence. “Stop there! Don’t come closer.” She waved the book slightly. “I don’t have any problem using this.”

  “Child...” He sighed. “It will go better for everyone if you tell me your price now.”

  “I’m not a child!” Amorette made a face at him. “And it’s not for sale.”

  “To own that title is to borrow trouble on your own head. It’s quite dangerous, you see. I’m attempting to spare both of us the headache of cleaning up this complicated mess later.” He lifted his chin and held out his hand as if he expected her to hand it over.

  Amorette swallowed. “What if I asked for a million dollars?”

  “Alright. I’ll have the money transferred.” He didn’t even blink.

  “That’s not the price, I was just asking.” Amorette tucked the book back against her chest. How much could she get out of this deal? Did she really want to sell the book before she had a chance to read it? “What are you doing in our storeroom?”

  “What is your price?”

  “I haven’t decided yet.” Amorette took another step back. The further away from him she could get, the better. Something about him unnerved her.

  “Decide quickly.” He folded his hands behind his back. “I don’t have all day.”

  “Amorette? Are you back here?” Melodia called from the door to the front room.

  Amorette sidestepped into another aisle. “Coming!”

  “What about my book?”

  “It’s still mine since you haven’t bought it from me.” Amorette walked backward toward the front room. “You should get out of our storeroom, mister. It’s trespassing and I’m sure I could have you thrown in jail. And you’d better not take any books out with you unless you plan to buy them.”

  “I only want the one.”

  “It’s not for sale.” Amorette turned and sprinted for the front before he could try anything less than proper.

  It was strange enough that he broke in just to buy her book. She couldn’t imagine what else he had planned. Crazy people were always the worst. This guy was definitely not an exception.

  EADRIC SLAMMED A HAND against his door, willing himself to be calm even if he wasn’t.

  It was there. He saw it. Inches from him, and he didn’t have the guts to reach out and take it. Of course, at the time he was trying to be civil. If that girl paid for it, he wanted to at least reimburse her. Except that plan backfired immediately.

  Eadric growled and stomped through the house to his bedroom. That girl had no idea what kind of danger she put herself in by keeping the blasted journal.

  A flick of his wrist brought his computer to life. A few keystrokes brought up the camera he planted in the bells. Small, but functional. Able to transmit audio and video to his remote server.

  The proprietress still stood with her nose in a book, this time chewing a piece of gum. The other girl scrambled around shelving and straightening books, an infuriating smile plastered on her face. It took everything in him to take another breath.

  He tried to warn her. Tried to keep her out of his long and complicated life. Did she listen? No. Why must she be so stubborn? At this point, he didn’t think she’d even allow him to buy the volume from her. Which left only one option for keeping her safe,
deaf and dumb to the danger around them.

  Eadric sank into his desk chair and picked up his phone. What had her name been? Ah, yes. Amorette. Well, it shouldn’t be too hard to find information on her. He already knew where she worked. His sources were discreet, if a bit legally questionable. No matter how much he disliked the child, he wasn’t cold-hearted.

  Not always.

  Eadric sent the orders with the request. Observe. Report. Keep an eye and an ear out for Codex and their cronies. It seemed they were everywhere nowadays, slowly closing in on those who dared defy logic.

  Eadric sneered at the screen, at the delightful little woman flitting around the bookstore. Even more irritating than her boss. He clicked out of the screen and picked up his tablet instead. He had things to approve for work. He couldn’t spend his time obsessing over something he already took care of. Good riddance.

  Eadric had opened the files he needed to review when a soft alarm sounded.

  Someone had entered his humble abode. Too bad he wasn’t in a mood to indulge any burglars.

  Eadric rose to his feet and pocketed his phone. Finally, some kind of stress relief when he needed it. He smiled at the broadsword mounted against his wall. It had been years since he used it properly. Eadric pulled it from its mount.

  The house seemed too quiet even for him. Eadric made his way down the stairs, toward the front door. A smart burglar wouldn’t have come in that way, but burglars weren’t known for their intelligence.

  A shadow moved near the entryway.

  Eadric spun into action. Two quick steps brought him into the walkway. A single flick of his wrist brought the very tip of the sword up under the intruder’s chin.

  “Holy—” Doon skittered back a step and threw his arms over his head. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Whatever I did, I’ll fix it, just... put the sword down. Please?”

  “Pity.” Eadric sighed and brought the sword back to his side. “I was looking forward to a good duel.”

  “D-duel?” Doon’s eyes didn’t leave the massive sword, even when he phrased his question to Eadric. “Grandpa told me to come check on you. You’re not actually going to stab me with that right?”