Shifters And Glyphs

by Bauer, Christina;

Who used to be Knox’s ex-girlfriend.

  And who still lives in his castle for some reason.

  Personal nightmare, here I come.

  Chapter 22

  As Knox and I walk along the never-ending gravel road to his castle, I can’t help but notice how he glares at all the fish-shaped topiaries and fountains.

  “Something wrong with the gardens?” I ask.

  “This is all Ty’s doing. I told her not to change anything. And she knows I hate all this fish stuff.”

  “So.” I try to process this bit of news. Nope, I can’t do it. “Let me get this straight. Your ex-girlfriend is living in your castle and redecorating.”

  “We only dated for a few weeks. Before that, we were just friends, you know?”

  I don’t really know because Knox is my first kiss and boyfriend, not counting how I fake-dated Jules when he was pretending to be that loser Philpot. Even so, I nod. Knox is trying to share here, and it seems like the right thing to do.

  Knox continues. “Most of the time, Ty and I just killed Denarii together. That went on for years. It all changed after we caught Reggie, though. Once Reggie was in custody, Ty thought there could be more to us.” He sighs. “I gave it a try. From the get-go, it was clear things wouldn’t work out. Ty could never move on from that fact.”

  Now, I have total faith in my relationship with Knox. But does it feel just a little bit awesome to know he only dated Ty for a short time and didn’t enjoy any of it?

  Um, yes. Not sure what that says about me as a person.

  Talking to Knox must help the time go faster, because before I know it, we’re stepping through the main gate and entering the castle proper. Inside, the place is all huge rooms with lots of heavy wooden furniture. Some threadbare tapestries of wolves hang on the walls. And there are indoor fountains everywhere. There are even ones set into the walls where stone fish heads spit water into a lower basin.

  Knox is really a leather-chair-and-modern-furniture-kind of guy. All these fountains don’t match his style. They have to be Ty’s handiwork.

  WaterGirl.

  Sure, we’re here to get the Codex Mechanica and find the fountain, but I must admit, my curiosity is definitely piqued about Ty herself. She’s got to be some piece of work.

  As we walk along, there’s no missing the tons of servants running around. All of them human and wide eyed. They hold the doors open for us as we make a lot of twists and turns inside the castle. At last, we pause in front of a heavy wooden door.

  For the first time, this one is closed.

  Louis—who’d been following us until now—suddenly steps up to the door and clears his throat. “Presenting Mademoiselle Ty.”

  Louis pushes the door open. Inside, there’s another long stone room with fountains set into the walls. Only here, there’s also a hefty wooden dining room table and a lit fireplace.

  And Knox’s ex.

  It’s easy to pick her out. At the end of the table sits a beautiful young girl dressed in a yellow gown. She looks about eighteen, with pale skin and brown eyes the same shade as her long hair. As we enter, she pretends to read a book. I know the “pretending” part because, even from across the chamber, I can see that it’s an upside-down encyclopedia.

  “You must be Ty,” I say.

  Ty doesn’t even glance in my direction. Instead, she slams the book on the tabletop. “You interrupted my very important and intellectual book, Knox. You know how I love to read.”

  Something about this girl sets off my rebel reflex. I point to my own face. “I’m still here, you know. And you had that book upside down.”

  Knox wraps his arm protectively around my waist. “Ty, this is Bryar Rose. She’s my mate.”

  Ty pounds her fist on the tabletop. “I want breakfast, people!” Her ability to ignore things and just start demanding stuff is actually impressive. Color floods her cheeks as Ty raises her voice. “I’m your guest, remember?”

  And with that, I know exactly what Knox’s fairy-tale life template is.

  He’s a Beast.

  And Ty thinks she’s his Beauty.

  Ugh.

  The servants rush in and out, their arms laden with silver platters. Within seconds, the entire table is covered with every kind of food imaginable, whether it’s breakfasty or not. There’s even one of those baked pigs with an apple stuck in its mouth. Gross.

  Ty makes a great show of pushing every platter away. “I have no appetite. But what do you expect? I’m a prisoner. Trapped.”

  “No,” says Knox. “You’re trespassing.”

  Ty sets the back of her hand on her forehead in the universal move of drama queens everywhere. It has zero effect on Knox.

  “This is horrible.” Ty lets out an overlong sigh. “Release me from your castle.”

  “Great. Go already.” Knox hitches his thumb toward the door. “I broke up with you. Leave. For the love of all that’s sacred. TAKE. OFF.”

  If Ty hears what Knox is saying, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she keeps right on with her own personal tirade. “And the servants all act strangely to me.” Ty clasps her hands by her throat. “You know, I believe they might be enchanted.”

  “They’re not under a spell,” says Knox.

  “Poppycock.” Ty sniffs. “I tell you, the servants treat me strangely.”

  “No, the staff hates you because you treat them like crap. Not the same thing.” Knox gestures across the table. “I mean, what’s all this? You demand these huge meals, and then you don’t eat a thing.” He points at the pig. “And that’s just nasty.”

  I raise my hand. “Totally agree.”

  Ty’s mouth hangs open for a second before she speaks again. “I have it. You’re simply out of sorts today. I know just what will cheer you up. I’ll sing a song to the tune of ‘Oh My Darling, Clementine.’” Ty stands.

  I speak to Knox from the side of my mouth. “She’s not really going to do this, is she?”

  “Why do you think we broke up?”

  Ty starts singing. “Oh your darling, oh your darling, oh your darling me-me-meeeeee!” She taps her chest when she says the “me” part. “I’m so lovely and your Beauty. You’re my Beastie, Knox sweetieeeee.”

  Knox and I share a long look. I mouth two words: Knox sweetie? For a minute, I’m not sure if we’ll both scream or burst out laughing.

  It ends up being the second thing.

  Knox breaks into a deep, rumbling guffaw that is everything awesome. Meanwhile, I chortle for so long, I take to snort-laughing.

  Eventually, our giggle-fest ticks off Ty enough that she halts right in the middle of a Knox sweetieeeee. “Do you two mind? It’s my moment here.”

  “Look.” Knox exhales a long breath. “Much as I appreciate the crazy show, we came by for a reason.”

  I set my fist on my hip. “You have a certain device that you promised to give me. Instead of making good on your word, you tried to get me killed. Bad plan, by the way.”

  Ty slumps into her chair. All pretense of acting like the innocent Beauty is gone. “Screw you,” she says with a sneer. “I knew them French weres wouldn’t make a dent in your precious hide. I just wanted to get Knox to haul his shapely ass to my side of the pond.”

  Now, there are two things that really bother me about that little speech. First, Ty has stopped acting like a pretty princess and has instantly transformed into a streetwise potty mouth. Second, I’m the only one who gets to appreciate Knox’s butt.

  “You called and told me she was at risk, and it was all a trick to get me closer.” Knox’s voice lowers to a growl. “That’s low, even for you.”

  “That’s what you say now,” retorts Ty. “But wait until we all have a little chat and clear things up.”

  “Not happening,” I say. “I’m not doing anything until you hand over the Codex Mechanica.”

  Ty gestures to the chairs nearby. “Have a seat, answer three questions, and then I’ll give you the device, just as I promised.”

  I frown. “Really
? Three little questions, and we get the device?”

  “I’ll cast a spell to ensure it happens,” says Ty.

  I’m still not sure about this. “What kind of spell?”

  “One that will hold me to my word. Watch.” Ty raises her hands, palms upward. A pair of rubies gleams on her outstretched palms.

  I’ve seen Alec with those kinds of stones before. Classic tools for any witch or wizard. For a moment, the gemstones flare with unearthly light. After that, a line of water arcs from her left hand to her right. Inside the water, there gleams tiny red spots of brightness.

  I hate to admit this, but it’s a pretty cool spell.

  “This spell is unbreakable,” says Ty. “It will hold me to the following promise. I will give you the Codex Mechanica if you answer my three questions honestly.” The crimson lights inside the water gleam more strongly. After that, they disappear. The water vanishes as well. “And the spell is cast.”

  I look to Knox. “You know her better than I do. Can we trust that spell? Will Ty keep her word?”

  “We can trust it.” Knox stalks over to the table and pulls out a chair for me. “Have a seat, Bry.”

  I plunk down and drag out the chair beside me for Knox. He slides in as well.

  “We’ll answer your damned questions,” says Knox. “After that, I want you out of my house.”

  Ty picks something from her molar with her pinky. “Oh, I’ll go, all right.” The way she says the words, it’s clear she’ll be right back. What an operator.

  Knox waves to the servants. “Give us a little privacy, yeah?”

  None of them needs to be told again. The servants all exit in record time. Soon it’s just me, Ty, and Knox.

  A nasty smile rounds Ty’s perfect smile. “Shall we begin?”

  I match her smarmy grin with one of my own. “Please.”

  Outside, I think I’m looking pretty calm. But inside? My soul is churning with worry. Ty lured me and Knox to this very spot for a reason. And my mate is right. Ty is unhinged.

  Whatever questions she’s about to ask, I don’t think I’ll like them.

  Not one bit.

  Chapter 23

  The world seems to pause as I soak in everything around me. The fresh wood lets off a musky scent as it burns in the fireplace. Lights flicker from the chendeliers above me. The low gurgle of water echoes from the wall fountains. And finally, there’s Ty. Knox’s ex has transformed from a hyper-gentle princess into a hard-boiled nightmare. Ty lounges at the table’s head, her right leg slung over the arm of her chair. Behind her, the massive fireplace outlines her in red flame. Talk about drama.

  Ty sneezes. “Damn. This place is murder on my allergies.”

  “You could always leave,” offers Knox.

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” she asks.

  Knox levels her with a glare. That would be yeah.

  Ty shakes her head. “Whatever. I’m staying, and it’s for your own good, Knox. You’ll see.”

  With a pointed motion, Knox reaches across the armrests between us and links his hand with mine. “Let’s get this over with,” he says. “What’s your first question?”

  “It’s for your little mate here.” Ty narrows her brown eyes in my direction. “Suppose I give you the Codex Mechanica. What’s the device designed to do?”

  My gaze flicks over to Knox. He doesn’t know that the First Wardens tried to use the Codex Mechanica to kill all magic—which would’ve destroyed our inner animals. Good thing they failed. Trouble is, every time I introduce the topic, Knox can’t remember it two seconds later. Stupid curse from the Void.

  “I could explain everything, but there’s a curse that goes with the topic. You’ll forget everything I tell you in two seconds.”

  “Just answer the question,” counters Ty.

  “Fine.” I take in a deep breath. “The First Wardens designed a device to destroy both the Void and the fountain. It didn’t work.”

  A small smile rounds Ty’s mouth. “So, if you use the Codex Mechanica as intended, what will it do?”

  “I don’t have to use it as intended.”

  “That wasn’t the question.”

  Inside my soul, my wolf growls with frustration. “She’s trying to trap you,” grumbles my wolf. “Don’t answer the question.”

  “I have to answer,” I reply in my mind.

  Leaning back, Ty laces her fingers behind her head. “I’m waiting.”

  “If I used it as intended, I’d destroy both magic and the Void.”

  Ty hops up to stand, bracing her arms on the tabletop. “If the Void had to be destroyed, you’d consider wiping out all magic, wouldn’t you?”

  I feel like a mouse nibbling cheese who found her tail caught in a trap. I stare at Ty, openmouthed. Unlike Elle, I’m not a good reflex liar. Unless I’ve had time to practice a response, I take way too long to reply.

  Finally, I manage to say something. “Is that your second question?”

  Ty plunks back down into her seat. “It doesn’t need to be. You just answered it anyway.” She turns to Knox. “See? She’d kill off all magic.”

  Knox’s forehead lines with confusion. “What? But that would destroy our wolves.”

  “I’ve tried to explain this before,” I say lamely.

  As if on cue, Knox’s eyes glaze over. A strange, electric charge fills the air. It’s that damned spell from the Void again, wiping out all Knox’s memory.

  For a moment, Knox keeps staring into space. After that, the mist vanishes along with the strange charge in the atmosphere. The spell is definitely over.

  Knox shakes his head. “What were we talking about? I can’t remember.”

  Sadly, I’ve gotten really good at redirecting Knox after one of these magical memory episodes. When I speak again, I make sure to use a very calming tone.

  “We tried to talk about some things,” I explain. “But there’s this curse from the Void. You never remember.” I arc my thumb over the back of his hand. “It must be so frustrating to get halfway through this topic, over and over.” I turn to Ty, expecting her to be just as overwhelmed and confused.

  She’s not.

  Instead, Ty sits upright and slaps on her innocent girl face. “Oh, my. He seems to have forgotten all about the Void.”

  “But you haven’t.” Anger starts to heat up my bloodstream. Ty is hiding things again. “That’s a little strange, don’t you think?”

  “Strange?” Ty blinks dramatically. “Why, no, it isn’t.”

  Knox levels Ty with another glare. “I may not know everything that’s going on, but I do know this.” He points straight at his ex. “You’re putting on an act again. Drop it.”

  Ty slumps back into her chair once more. “Something’s screwing up your memory, Knox. Give me a mo’. I’ll fix it.”

  This whole situation is so stunning, I can only repeat her words. “Fix it?” For the record, I would’ve had Alec or Avianna fix everyone’s memories a long time ago. Trouble is, witch spells are all about intent. You can’t cast a spell to fix something when you don’t even remember what that something is.

  But Ty remembers.

  My anger burns into outright fury. This whole thing is some kind of a test or a trap, and Ty keeps pulling us deeper into it.

  “Ty.” Knox lowers his voice to a growl, and it’s one of those growls that makes lesser beings run for the exit. Honestly? If I weren’t dating him, I’d take off as well. “What’s really going on here?”

  “Calm down. I’ll show you.” Once more, Ty raises her arms, with her palms facing the ceiling. Her fists grip fresh rubies. The gemstones flare with light while a familiar crackle of energy fills the air.

  Instantly, crimson raindrops pour from the ceiling, covering the entire dining room in what looks like blood. On reflex, I start to wipe the liquid from my arms. Meanwhile, Knox sits transfixed, just like he did when his memory was being erased by magic.

  Ty lowers her hands. “Enough.” The magical rain instantly stops
falling.

  “Wow,” I say. “The room looks like a cow exploded in here. I’m not sure how that helps.”

  “Give it a moment,” says Ty.

  For a few seconds, Knox rubs his neck in a slow rhythm. Then he turns to me. “That’s right. You were talking about the Void. And to get rid of the Void …” He frowns. “Did you say that you’re going to destroy all magic, too?” His features slump with shock. “That’ll kill our animals.”

  “It’s what the First Wardens built the device to do,” I explain. “That said, I don’t know that it really has to happen.”

  Which is a little bit of a lie. The Void and Shadowvin are nasty. The First Wardens look pretty accomplished. If they thought destroying magic was the only way to get rid of those big bads, then I’m about ninety-nine percent sure it has to happen. That said, there are other things to worry about for now.

  Like getting my hands on the Codex Mechanica.

  “The thing is,” I say. “Whatever the ultimate plan is, we definitely need to find the fountain first. The Void is after it, and if he claims the power inside, he’ll be able to destroy everything. After we get the fountain secured, we can figure out something.”

  Come on, one percent chance.

  Ty claps, grabbing our attention. “Eyes on the prize, people. Let’s get to my second question, officially.” She focuses on me. “Bryar Rose, what do you think magic is doing to Knox?”

  I scrub my hands over my face. “There’s no way I’m going to answer that.”

  “Then I won’t give you the device.”

  Gah. Okay, maybe that’s the one way I’ll reply.

  I squirm a little in my chair and turn toward Knox. “Here’s the thing. I think magic is hurting you, and it’s because of me.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Knox glares at Ty. “But that’s not the truth. My ex cast a spell to make me sick when I’m around you.”

  “Please.” Ty rolls her eyes. “I didn’t even know you were sick until Az called me with the news. He’s the one who figured out that magic is punishing you for finding true love instead of the fountain.”

  “Az said the same thing to me.” I shake my head. “He’s never been wrong before.”