Page 16 of Fleshbound
The same color as Corven’s eyes.
He flipped a few more pages, but there were no more. It was the last entry in the diary. “How did Race bring this back? He’s not allowed to change anything, only witness.”
“He didn’t,” Cassius whispered. “I did.”
Quill’s eyes widened. “You went with him?”
“No. I placed a tracking spell on him. As soon as he returned and told me what he’d seen, I portaled there… and witnessed the witch hunters murder Merlin and steal his treasures. For some reason, they left most of the books behind. Idiots, but I’m thankful for those idiots.”
“Why didn’t you grab Corven’s book then?”
“Because the Corven of two thousand years ago might’ve been a much different man. He knew nothing of this time. He’d yet to meet you. If I took his book, you might’ve lost your time with him and the memories of it. His memories of it. I didn’t want to do that to either of you.”
Quill propelled himself forward and wrapped his arms around Cassius. “Thank you.”
Cassius chuckled, patting his back. “You’re welcome.”
Quill sat back down. “I don’t know how much you’ve now changed in the course of time or if we’re going to pay the price for that… and usually I’d tell you it wasn’t worth it. But…”
“You love him.”
Quill nodded.
“We might not change much, if we’re careful. Make a copy of the spell as quickly as you can and give me back the book. I can return to the very second I stole it and return it where I found it,” Cassius said. He waved a hand and scrolls, parchment, and a lap desk appeared on the bed. “Get writing.”
Quill quickly jotted the first line of characters down when a thought emerged. He lifted his gaze to Cassius. “When did you start being able to portal through time?”
Cassius shrugged. “My powers have been growing of late.”
Quill gasped. “You’ve found your third.”
Cassius’s eyes closed and a look of pain crossed his face. When he reopened them, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes… and no.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Yes. But not now,” Cassius snapped. He tapped the lap desk.“Write.”
7
A month later…
Quill packed the final pieces into his suitcase, along with all his notes and books before walking out of his apartment. He was going to Scotland. Dunstaffnage Castle, to be exact. It was believed to be one of the locales that might be where the ancient lost city of Evonium sat. If that didn’t work, he planned to attempt the spell at the Calanais Stones. They were Stonehenge’s Scottish cousin and one of the most magical places in Scotland.
Along the way, he’d found something of a primer for the unknown language they’d stumbled on. It was a mixture of Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaeilge, Old English, Druidic, and potentially Fae. His translation wasn’t in full because he couldn’t figure out the Fae bits, but he’d gotten enough to deduce what it said.
He hoped.
All while knowing the tiniest of mistakes could ruin everything.
He rolled his bag downstairs to the bookshop where Perry and Cassius awaited him. The shop was still closed. He couldn’t get used to seeing it so quiet and devoid of customers. He sensed the shop itself was growing sad. He wasn’t sure if it was gathering that emotion from him or the lack of witches browsing its shelves.
Hopefully he’d find Corven, and life could return to something like normal for himandthe shop.
“I’m ready,” Quill told Cassius.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Perry asked, frowning.
“I’ll be just fine,” Quill said, adjusting his bowtie. “I promise.”
