Magic Undying (Dragon's Gift: The Seeker #1)(46)

“But there’s another story, isn’t there?” I could see it in his eyes. There was a story he treasured above the others.

“Yes.” Dr. Garriso nodded. “In one story, written by an unknown author many centuries ago, Guinevere took her fate into her own hands. She saw how those around her tried to use her, so she commissioned Merlin to create the strongest concealment charm ever known. She took the charm and ran, becoming master of her own fate. She appeared occasionally thereafter, but only on her terms. The rest of the time, she lived the life she pleased, hidden from those who would use her.”

Oh, I liked this Queen Guinevere. I liked her a lot. And first chance I had, I’d be visiting her grave to repair the damage. Maybe I could even get her to come to life and have a chat.

That probably qualified as abusing my powers, right?

“You said the author was unknown?” I asked.

“Yes. But I suspect that Gwenhwyfar wrote it before she died. If I were her, I wouldn’t be able to resist sharing my cunning plan with the world.”

“Neither would I,” I said. “So she finished out her days at Glastonbury Abbey.”

“If that is where you found her grave, then it appears so. There was a legend that she might have ended up there.”

“She did.”

“Splendid that you found it,” Dr. Garriso said.

“Except for the fact that we lost the concealment charm,” Roarke said.

Dr. Garriso’s face fell. “That is not good.”

“No.” Not only did we lose something that should be in its proper resting place with Guinevere, but it was now concealing a dangerous demon. “We’re hoping to learn more so that we can track down the demon who stole it. He’s using the concealment charm to hide from my…seeker sense.”

I was so excited about Guinevere, and so stressed about the demon, that I almost tripped up and said dragon sense. That would be baaaad.

“Hmmm.” Dr. Garriso frowned.

“We have some clues,” Roarke added. “The demon first visited Merlin’s Cave at Tintagel, then Guinevere’s grave.”

“That’s a trend,” Dr. Garriso said.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“But I’m afraid I know no more.” He stood.

Disappointment surged through me.

“There are many myths and stories about Guinevere and Merlin and all the rest. Read these. You may find something helpful.” Dr. Garriso handed me the books, and I took them, my chest loosening as hope pushed away disappointment.

Some of my problems I solved with my sword. But many others, I solved with books. They might look unassuming, but there were worlds within these pages.

And, I hoped, the answers that we would need.





Chapter Eleven





As Roarke and I hurried out to the car, I called my deirfiúr on my comms charm.

“Nix? Cass? Are you in Magic’s Bend? Can we meet at the shop? I’ve got some books we need to look through.” Normally I’d ask to meet at P & P, but this was during working hours so Nix couldn’t leave the shop.

Roarke glanced at me, surprised. I hadn’t told him I was going to call them.

“Trust me,” I said to him.

“We’re back. Nothing panned out in New York. I can meet you at the shop,” Nix said.

“I’ll be there,” Cass added.

“See you in fifteen.” I cut the connection and turned to Roarke. “We’re going to need to read these books fast. To do that, we need help.”

“Books are really our best bet?” he asked.

“Quit doubting. Right now, they’re our only bet. We’re working with a trend here—first Merlin’s Cave, then Guinevere’s grave. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find something else connected. You have any other ideas?”

“No.”

“Then we’ve got a plan. Anyway, I’m a fast reader. It won’t take long if we all work together.”

“All right.” He climbed into the car.

I could tell from his expression that this wasn’t usually how he did things, but until we had something else to go on, it was our best bet.

It didn’t take long to reach Ancient Magic, but there was no parking when we arrived.

“Drop me off, will you?” I asked.

“Sure.” He pulled over to the side.

I hopped out, then hurried into Ancient Magic while he parked the car. Entering the cluttered, magic-ridden shop always felt like coming home. Nix stood up from where she’d been seated behind the counter, a book in one hand and an apple in the other. She set them down on the counter and hurried around it to me.

“Hey! How’s it—” Her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened.

Startled, I glanced behind me to see if we were being robbed. No one was behind me. But then, a robbery wouldn’t surprise Nix. She’d just beat them up and call the cops.

I turned back to her, but before I could ask what her issue was, I caught sight of the familiar blue glow extending out from where I stood. It crawled across the floor, almost reaching our counter.

No. No, no, no. It couldn’t be happening again.

“What the hell is happening?” Nix’s voice was high-pitched.

The room filled with people. They started out blue, but turned corporeal. They were clothed in long dresses and suit coats from another era. Nineteenth century. Behind the counter, an old man with a bushy mustache appeared. An ancient brass register appeared on the counter, squashing Del’s apple.