Second Chronicles of Illumination

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Second Chronicles of Illumination Page 42

by C. A. Pack


  Ryden Simmdry used his mind to plumb the depths of Johanna’s consciousness, and found he couldn’t. ⌘Explain to me what happened with Beck.

  Johanna told him about grabbing Beck’s hand and suddenly feeling both lightheaded and energized at the same time. “It’s like I absorbed all his knowledge.”

  ⌘Did this sudden influx of knowledge feel like it entered through the Illumini constellation on your left hand?

  Johanna thought back. “Yes.”

  ⌘And you were merely holding his hand … his palm?

  “No. Not his palm. His wrist.” Here eyes widened with recollection. “His sigil.”

  A commotion coming from the main reading room interrupted their conversation. They found Alianessa pounding on the front door. “Let me out of this place.”

  ⌘In good time. First, I must determine why the cube chose to induct your essence. I designed this box to absorb unnatural energy that is imbued with protective powers or special charms. It chose you as the most likely source after Odyon managed to disappear.

  The Frenchwoman pouted. “I do not know of any Odyon. It’s something you’re making up.”

  Johanna held her gaze. “You were right there when I accused Robert Birk of being Odyon. You know precisely whom we’re talking about.”

  “I’ve never known him by that name,” Alianessa said.

  ⌘But you do know him. The question is, how well?

  “He’s just one of the eight. I don’t know him any better than the others.”

  ⌘That’s too bad because it would have explained why the cube worked on you. I will have to investigate your relationship more directly. He placed his left palm against her temple.

  Alianessa backed away. “Don’t touch me.”

  ⌘I hate you involve you Jackson, but would you please hold her?

  Jackson grabbed Alianessa from behind and wrapped his arms around hers, so she couldn’t move. ⌘Once again. Ryden Simmdry placed his palm against her temple.

  Alianessa stomped on Jackson’s instep with the five-inch stiletto heel of her shoe.

  “Ouch,” he shouted loosening his grip on her. She squirmed away and ran for the door.

  Jackson started to run after her.

  ⌘It is all right, Jackson. I have what I need. Ryden Simmdry picked up the box. Once again, Alianessa dissolved into a smoky haze before being reabsorbed by the cube.

  “Why not let her go?” Johanna asked.

  ⌘Because she is more than she claims to be.

  LOI

  If you enjoyed this book, kindly review it on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Your reviews are what make books like this possible.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic, digital, or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the publisher with “Attention: Permissions Coordinator” in the subject line.

  ARTIQUA PRESS

  [email protected]

  Westbury, NY 11590

  e-Book Edition

  June 30, 2015

  SECOND CHRONICLES OF ILLUMINATION

  Library of Illumination—Books Five, Six, and Seven

  Copyright © 2015 C. A. Pack

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-0-9915428-7-1

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2015900954

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  C. A. PACK, author of Chronicles: The Library of Illumination (a Kirkus Reviews’ Best Book of 2014), is an award-winning journalist and former television news anchor and assignment manager at LI News Tonight, who has also worked as a news writer at WNBC-TV and Cablevision News 12. She served as president of the Press Club of Long Island for several years and is a proud member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America. She lives on Long Island with her husband and a couple of picky parrots.

  BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

  The Library of Illumination

  Book One (The Curator)

  Doubloons

  The Library of Illumination: Book Two

  The Orb

  The Library of Illumination: Book Three

  Casanova

  The Library of Illumination: Book Four

  Portals

  The Library of Illumination: Book Five

  Chronicles: The Library of Illumination

  Books One through Five

  The Overseers

  The Library of Illumination: Book Six

  Myrddin’s Memoir

  The Library of Illumination: Book Seven

  The Second Chronicles of Illumination

  Books Five, Six and Seven

 

 

 


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