I suck in a shocked breath. Youth and beauty? Like everything that has to do with magic, this place is aligned to its own fairy-tale life template. In this case, it’s the Fountain of Youth.
Huh. Ponce de Leon wasn’t too far off when he hunted for it in Florida.
“Many thousands of years ago, I designed these first pyramids.” Quetzali gestures across the plaza. “These structures harness the power of magic into three distinct forms: shifter, witch, and fairy. Ever since then, we have held our sacred ceremony every autumnal equinox. Tonight, all of that changes. And the reason for that change? The Shadowvin, Slythe and Tithe. At first, these evil creatures lurked in corners and caused no pain. But over the years, they’ve become more bold and cruel. Now they slaughter Magicorum and mortals alike. Everyone here has lost a loved one.”
Behind me, the crowd starts to call out to Quetzali.
“My sister is gone.”
“Our village was wiped out.”
“My child! Slythe took my child!”
Quetzali lifts her arms, and the crowd falls silent. “Slythe and Tithe must be stopped. And to do that, I have created a new device.” The sleeves fall away from Quetzali’s raised arms. Although the silver hood still covers her face, there’s no mistaking the blue of her skin. It’s that distinct shade of azure that only happens with water fairies.
A heartbeat later, silver fairy dust appears between Quetzali’s raised palms. The power glows more brightly, showing off the blue webbing between her long fingers. When the haze vanishes, Quetzali holds a small wooden box aloft.
“Behold,” announced Quetzali. “The Codex Mechanica. It will always find the fountain of magic. And where the fountain of magic is, there we will find the Shadowvin and the Void.”
My skin prickles over with awe. For so long, I’ve longed to see the fountain of magic in action. And although I only recently discovered the Codex Mechanica, I’ve been dying to figure out how it works. And now? I’m seeing it firsthand. I’m a very lucky girl.
Turning to Scar, I gently tap her shoulder. She looks at me with her brows lifted. I’m quickly learning that’s Scar’s way of saying, What?
I mouth two words: thank you.
Scar’s mouth quirks with a smile. She speaks two silent words in reply: you’re welcome.
Back on the plaza, Quetzali lowers the device. Since Scar and I are so close, I can see the lid of the box is cut with three vertical slots. The sides of round disks show through each of these three openings. Glyphs are written on the edge. The discs must spin to give messages. The Codex Mechanica reminds me of an ancient slot machine.
“I designed these pyramids. Do you trust me, my people?”
“Yes!” yells the crowd.
“I have created this Codex Mechanica to fight the Shadowvin. Do you wish to see them destroyed?”
“Yes!” comes another cry.
“Good,” says Quetzali. “Then we must all gird ourselves for the sorry truth. To protect us all, both the fountain of magic and the Void must be destroyed. The Codex Mechanica is built to do this task.”
My eyes glaze over in shock. Did she just say both the fountain of magic and the Void must be destroyed? The crowd starts grumbling again.
“Destroying magic means I’ll lose my powers.”
“My inner wolf will die.”
“How will we cast spells without magic?”
“Silence!” calls Quetzali. “We must begin the ceremony. The fountain and magic and the Void will be no more. Be thankful to be alive at all, not questioning if your life will continue to have magic.”
After that, everything starts happening so quickly, it’s hard to keep track. Thick plumes of white smoke roll over the plaza grounds. Searingly bright light blares from the geyser, congealing into a massive figure glowing white, with all-black eyes. The Void. He grips the geyser and tears it from the plaza floor. “I want the fountain!”
The crowd gasps, but doesn’t move. Quetzali opens the Codex Mechanica and pulls out the discs inside. She gives a ruby disc to the first warden of witches and wizards. The golden disc goes to the first warden of shifters. Quetzali keeps a close grip on the third silver disc. The white-cloaked figure stands nearby, silent and watching.
The Void’s voice booms once more. “The fountain!” His voice is wild with rage. “The fountain!” A great boom sounds as he tosses the geyser-fountain on the ground.
Now, the crowd decides to turn into a frenzied mob. Everyone starts running from the plaza while screaming with terror. More white mist rolls over the plaza. Soon, everything is covered in such a thick haze, I can’t see a thing.
I can still hear the voices of the First Wardens, though. And although I’m new to this whole magic thing, I know a spell being cast when I hear it. Flashes of silver, gold, and red light pulse within the thick clouds around me.
Scar pulls me closer to her side. “We have to get out of here. I know my history. This whole place is about to explode.”
The pyramids pulse with light, each a different color. The white haze turns even thicker, but I can still make out each pyramid as it glows silver, gold, or red. A woman’s scream cuts through the air.
I suck in a shaky breath. “That scream,” I say to Scar. “It was Quetzali.” I start to scale the low wall before me. “Hurry, we have to see what’s happening.”
Scar grips my wrist, and dang, that girl is strong. “I am not going anywhere near that mess.”
Across the plaza, the pyramids pulse erratically with their different hues of the light. Great chunks of glowing rock tumble from the structures, slamming into the ground with such force, the earth shakes.
I yank harder on Scar’s arm. “I have to see what’s happening. This might be the only way I can save Knox.”
“No.”
Her word strikes me like a fist. “No?” I point toward the plaza. “You can’t mean that. You heard what she said. The Codex Mechanica is built to find and destroy all magic. This affects more than Knox. It could hurt everyone. We have to find out what we can.”
Great cracks form along the edges of the silver pyramid. Spider webs of light peep from between the breaks in the stone. For a long moment, the silver pyramid vibrates.
After that, it explodes.
Huge boulders fly through the air. Small stones cascade all around us. On reflex, Scar and I kneel into a protective crouch.
“The two of us ending up dead?” Scar pulls on the cord between us. “That doesn’t help anybody.”
With that, she breaks the tie holding us in the past. A flash of golden light overtakes my consciousness. The scene at the plaza disappears.
I can only hope I learned enough in the past to help everyone in the present.
Chapter 15
For a long minute, there’s nothing but the golden brightness that can only come from shifter magic. The next thing I know, I’m back in Az’s room at Lucky’s. Scar and I are alone. Our gray cloaks are gone. We’re both back to wearing our leathers.
“Got anything to say to me?” Scar sets her fist on her hip. “I swear, if you give me crap about pulling your ass out of death’s door, I’ll shift into your worst nightmare.” Her eyes glow with golden power.
A weight of guilt settles on my shoulders. “No, I won’t give you trouble about what happened. You saved our lives.”
“Damn right.”
I offer her my hand. “We still good?”
She pulls me into a quick hug. “Shut up and save us all from that Void thing, especially that hot man of yours.”
I’m not really sure what just happened, but I know one thing. I’m really starting to like Scar.
Scar steps back; her face creases into a frown. “Why were we hugging again?”
I let out an exasperated breath. It’s starting once more. The curse of the Void. “Do you remember anything from our trip through time?”
“White mist and … that’s it.” She winces. “Why was I talking about your boyfriend?”
“You wanted to b
e sure I was taking good care of him. He’s been sick lately.”
Speaking of Knox, I catch the barest scent of sandalwood and musk, along with the now-familiar smell of pain. Inside my soul, my wolf awakens.
“What happened?” she asks. “Where is our mate?”
“Long story,” I explain in my head. “I went back in time. You and Knox couldn’t join me.”
“Our mate has been ill,” grumbles my wolf. “We should check on him.”
“I like that plan.”
Crossing the room, I open the door. Knox, Avianna, and Azizi come in. The moment Knox enters the chamber, the scent of pain grows stronger than ever. Worry prickles through my soul.
“Where’s the Codex Mechanica?” asks Knox. “Where can we get it?”
Scar frowns. “We traveled in time to some white mist, but … that was it.”
Avianna shakes her head. “That happens sometimes. Something went wrong with my potion.”
“No,” I say quickly. “Your potion was fine.”
Az moves to loom over me. “Was it fine?” He slowly folds his arms over his chest. “Really?” Az is one of those men who doesn’t have to say things with words. I know what he means here.
Do I really want to pull Knox in deeper to all of this?
“Don’t try to intimidate her, Az.” Knox moves to stand by my side. Sadly, even moving three steps has him winded.
Pangs of anxiety move through my chest. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” pants Knox. “Tell me. Did you find out anything about the Codex Mechanica? Where can we find it?”
Out of reflex, my glance lands on Az. The old were’s mouth thins to an angry line. I know what he’s saying without speaking a word: if you take Knox with you to find the Codex Mechanica, you’ll kill him.
A realization weighs on me. I need to find the Codex Mechanica. Alone. Knox, Elle, Alec: the Void and Shadowvin threaten them all. And now that I saw what happened with the First Wardens, I know the truth.
My mission is more than using the Codex Mechanica to find the fountain of magic. I must destroy it as well. My heart sinks. Destroying magic would also destroy our inner wolves. And shifters without their animal? They turn into a lifeless husk. It’s pretty much a death sentence. I shake my head.
Worry about destroying the fountain later. For now, you just need to find the Codex Mechanica and protect the fountain of magic from the Void and the Shadowvin.
Knox steps closer. “Did you hear what I said, Bry? Where’s the device?”
There’s no way I’m dragging Knox along on this mission. That’ll kill him for certain. I need to find a way of answering his questions without lying. Shifters can smell an untruth a mile away.
“Scar is the expert in going through time.” I look to her. “Do you remember anything?”
“No,” says Scar. “It happens sometimes, though. Don’t worry. We can try again tomorrow.”
“That’s, uh, good.” Knox takes in a wheezing breath. All the color has drained from his face. I’m not so sure he even heard what Scar said. My mate is barely hanging on here.
Az focuses on me. “Yes, come back tomorrow with Knox. You can all try this again.” Once more, that’s what he says, but I know what Az means. He doesn’t want me anywhere near Knox.
I give him a small smile. “Agreed.”
“Good.” Az falls forward; only by the time he reaches the ground, he’s shifted into the form of a huge gray wolf. Az rests his chin on his front paws. “And now, you must give an old man his rest.” Which is a big fat lie. I’ve never seen Azizi look better. He just wants us out of here. As it happens, I can’t wait to leave. There is no way I’m calling Az on his lie.
“Sure thing, Az.” Knox takes my hand. “Where do you want to go?”
“Home. It’s been a long day.”
“I think we both could use a break.”
With thoughts of home, my heart lightens. If nothing else, my trip through time has one benefit—I’ve seen the Codex Mechanica. Thanks to Elle’s sideline of locating and selling jewelry, I know all sorts of websites where you can buy and sell rare, old, and valuable stuff. Someone will have seen or sold an ancient box that looks like the first slot machine ever.
If nothing else, it’s worth a try.
Chapter 16
About an hour later, Knox walks me to my apartment. He still looks so pale, I hate to make him walk an extra yard, let alone all the way to my door.
“You don’t have to walk me home,” I say. “We’re only two floors apart, you know.”
Knox inhales deeply. “You’re worried.”
“Well, you know …” I grip the door handle behind my back and try to think of something totally honest—yet misleading—to say to Knox. You look at death’s door isn’t what he needs to hear. “There’s a lot to worry about. I must find the Codex Mechanica and protect the fountain of magic. It won’t be easy.”
Of course, I don’t add in the part about destroying the fountain of magic. That will just have to wait.
Knox grips the upper ledge of the door. His body frames mine. Normally, the sensation of him looming so close makes me feel calm and safe. Right now, though? All I can notice is how his body trembles.
Inside my soul, my wolf whimpers in fear. “Our mate is ill. Make him go rest.”
“I’m working on it,” I reply in my mind.
Knox leans in, brushing his nose along the length of mine. “I know I look like hell, but just because I look like crap doesn’t mean I’m not on top of this. Believe me, Ty is up to something. If I lay low tonight, I’ll be ready to plan our next move tomorrow.”
Silent calculations flicker through my mind. Today, there’s four days until the autumn equinox.
Four days until the fountain of magic rises again after five thousand years.
Tomorrow, there will be three.
Time is running out.
Think about something else, Bryar Rose.
“So, no school for you tomorrow?” I ask.
“Taking a sick day,” says Knox.
This piece of news is something my wolf likes very much. “No school for Knox! Let’s stay home and comfort him forever!” She prances around in a happy circle. “We can spend every day together, away from those nasty fairies that won’t let me chew on them anyway.”
“Ho, there,” I say to my inner wolf. “This is a sick day. Day.”
“No school ever again,” howls my wolf. “No schooooooooooooool!”
I press on my temples. “Stay quiet, or I can’t think.”
Knox’s full mouth quirks with a smile. “Your wolf wants to skip school tomorrow, yeah?”
I hiss in an embarrassed breath. “I said that last thing out loud, didn’t I?”
“Sure did.” Knox chuckles. “Glad I’m not the only one who does stuff like that.” He shakes his head. “But tell your wolf not to skip because of me. We’re both going back.”
I give him the side-eye. It’s not like Knox to have a strong opinion about school. “And why’s that, exactly?”
“Like I said, Az will kick my ass harder than ten West Lake Preps.” Knox’s face turns serious. “But if you wanted to, we could start our own classroom. You, me, and Az. That old were would love to kick your academic butt too, you know.”
My wolf is now leaping with joy. “No school. Let’s be with our mate! Maaaaaaaate!” She’s having such a good time in my head, I don’t even bother to tell her to shut up.
“And how hard exactly would that ass kicking be?” I ask, smirking. “Elle and I have been setting our own study schedule, you know.”
Knox chuckles again, and it’s a rumbling sound I like very much indeed. Maybe it’s just in my head, but some of the color seems to be back in his cheeks. Perhaps being around me isn’t what’s making him sick, after all.
“Let me put it to you this way,” says Knox. “This whole conversation? I can repeat it in Greek, Latin, and Persian.”
I mock-frown. “Just those three?”
/>
“Nah, a bunch more, too. But I thought the Persian might really impress you.” He leans in close until our mouths almost touch. “Did it work?”
My wolf adds in some yipping with her prancing. “It worked! It worked! Kiss him nooooooooow!”
“Keep up the commentary, and you’re going into a time out,” I reply. “There’s no way I can enjoy a kiss with you yipping in my brain.”
Knox leans back. The way he’s pressing his lips together, I just know he’s holding back the mother of all laughs.
I wince. “I said that last part out loud again, didn’t I?”
Knox clears his throat. “Don’t put your wolf in a time out because of me.” He steps away and scrubs his hands over his face. My mate certainly looks exhausted. “What are you gonna do now? See if you can find that Codex Mechanica?” He snaps his fingers. “Wait. There was something else I was going to ask you about that device, but I can’t remember it right now.”
I decide to skip over the whole you can’t see or remember anything concerning the Void right now because of a memory curse conversation. Instead, I answer the first question. “Yes, I’m going to search online for evidence of the Codex Mechanica.”
Knox nods slowly. “Long night of hacking ahead of you, yeah?”
“That’s right.” My heart lightens just thinking about it. Finding stuff on the internet is my special gift.
“You have trouble sleeping, you call me, yeah?”
“I promise.” Maybe it’s the terrible lighting in this hallway, but it seems like dark circles have formed underneath Knox’s ice-blue eyes. A second ago, he seemed better. And now he’s getting worse again.
That can’t be the case.
It’s definitely the lighting.
Maybe.
“Go on,” I say playfully. “Get some rest now.”
Moving closer, Knox leans in and brushes a gentle kiss against my cheek. The scent of pain encircles him like a cloud. My heart cracks. This is so bad.
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