Magicorum Box Set (Books 1-5)

22. Chapter Twenty-Two

22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Bryar Rose

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 candelabras above me. The low gurgle of water echoes in from all the wall fountains. And finally, there’s Ty. Knox’s ex has transformed from a hyper-gentle dream girl 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 is the device designed to do?”

My gaze flicks over to Knox. He doesn’t know how the first wardens used the device to kill all magic—which in turn would destroy our inner animals. Mostly, that’s because 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 along 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 the first time.”

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?”

And with those words, I felt like a mouse who’d been nibbling some cheese and now, found herself with 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.

Every time I bring up this particular topic, it shocks Knox, which is totally understandable. After all, I’m telling my mate that—if we do have to destroy the Void—then his wolf might have to die as well. And shifters who lose their inner animals turn into shells of their former selves.

Thanks to the curse of the Void, it’s a conversation we’ve never been able to finish.

As if on cue, Knox’s eyes glaze over. A strange and electric charge fills the air. The faintest outline of red mist appears along his skin. It’s that damned spell from the Void again, wiping out all Knox’s memory.

For a moment, Knox keeps staring out 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 abut 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 have had Alec or Avianna fix everyone’s memories a long time ago. Trouble is, witch spells are all about intent. You can’t cast 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, but 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 toward the ceiling. A fresh set of rubies lays on each of her palms. The two gemstones flare with light while a familiar crackle of energy fills the air. Ty is casting another spell. Instantly, crimson-colored 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 her hands, 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 is 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.”

“Well, Az doesn’t know Ty the way I do,” snarls Knox.

The very core of my soul aches to admit this, but there’s no avoiding it. “The reason that you’re in pain is because you’re with me.”

Knox’s mouth thins to a determined line. “I don’t believe that.” His ice-blue gaze locks on me. “No, we’re just missing something. The curse of the Void is over now. I can remember everything you tell me. So let’s start at the beginning.”

Knox’s intensity gives me hope. Closing my eyes, I picture my trip back in time with Scar. “The Shadowvin and the Void were out of control. The first wardens created a device to destroy both magic and the Void. They failed. This was two thousand years ago. Ever since then, magic has been slowly fading from our world. The Void has been MIA.”

“That should be a good thing,” says Knox.

“For a while, it was great. But both magic and the Void were only injured. They weren’t destroyed. Since that day, they’ve both slowly gained strength. Now, magic is returning, so the Void has come back as well.”

“I still don’t believe that the Codex Mechanica can only destroy both magic and the Void,” says Knox. “Can’t we monkey with this device? Make it focus on just the Void?”

“The first wardens said that there is no way to kill the Void without erasing magic as well. That’s why the Codex Mechanica can locate the fountain.”

“If you knew magic the way I do, you’d know the truth,” says Ty softly. “Magic isn’t good, it’s evil. The first wardens were right. Magic deserves to he destroyed.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “You can’t mean that.”

“Think about it,” continues Ty. “If you want to be with Knox, you have to kill magic before it kills him. If that’s not evil, I don’t know what is. And suppose you do find a way to destroy magic. You’ll be killing Knox’s animal in order to be with him. Do you think he’ll ever forgive you? Do you think you can ever forgive yourself for murdering your own wolf, even if it’s for a good reason? Face it. The two of you are doomed.”

I open my mouth, ready to come back with a quick retort. Nothing comes to mind. Knox sits beside me, quietly glaring at Ty. This was supposed to be the triumphant moment we got the Codex Mechanica. Instead, it’s turning into a relationship meltdown for me and Knox.

“Don’t shoot the messenger.” Ty holds up her hands with her palms facing us. “I didn’t create this situation. I’m just trying to make the best of it. Have you seen what happens to shifters who lose their animals? They become a shell of who they once were—quiet, listless, and staring off into space. When you turn Knox into that, who will take care of him? Not you. You’ll be just as useless as he is.”

Knox grips the free armrest so hard the wood creaks. “Watch it, Ty.”

“I’m trying to be the good guy here.” Ty focuses on Knox, and for the first time, there’s actual sincerity in her face. “You’re going to end up with me. Once your animal is gone, I’m the only one who’ll take care of you.”

“Thanks,” snarls Knox. “You’re a real romantic.”

Ty’s eyes glisten with held-in tears. “All my life, I’ve only wanted what’s best for you.”

In this moment, I come to a big realization. Much as I want to, I can’t totally hate Knox’s ex. We share something in common. We both care about Knox.

“Now, here’s my third question.” Ty focuses on Knox. “Be honest, now. Wouldn’t you be better off with me?”

Knox rises. “Absolutely not. We’ve been over this.”

The sincere version of Ty evaporates into the hard-boiled witch with a B. Ty stands up as well, steps over to Knox, and starts poking him in the chest. “Don’t you see where this all leads? Where it’s always led?” She points in my direction. “This one is going to break your heart and destroy your wolf. I can erase all memories of her right now. You can have a fresh start. You and me. We’re supposed to be together.”

All that poking and demanding sends anger spinning up my spine. My wolf may still be in an enchanted time-out, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to bite Ty anyway.

I rise as well. “So, Knox is supposed to be with you.”

“Duh.” Ty rolls her eyes “Knox is a Beast. I’m obviously his Beauty.”

“Really?” I ask. “Because the last time I checked, Beauty wasn’t a sorceress who specialized in water magic.”

Knox hitches his thumb in my direction. “My mate makes a good point.”

“That is so not true,” says Ty. “The story doesn’t say she is without magic, only that she doesn’t cast any spells.”

“Ah, no.” I raise my pointer finger. “I’m pretty sure Beauty is non-magical, or she would have water magic-ed herself out of that castle because, you know, she really was trapped. You’re something else.” I snap my fingers. “The right fairy tale template for you is almost at the tip of my tongue.”

“Stop changing the subject,” says Ty. “You’re totally bad for him.” She turns to Knox. “Answer my third question. Do you choose me or not?”

Knox replies without hesitation. “Not.”

“Fine,” snaps Ty. “When you’re ready, I’m here.”

Ty reaches into the pocket of her yellow dress and pulls out a handful of rubies. Gripping them tightly, Ty whispers a few words of a spell. Red light streams out from between her fingertips. The electric sense of magic fills the air. A moment later, Ty’s body fades until she looks like a ghost made from red mist. The transparent version of Ty glares at Knox for a few long seconds.

After that, Knox’s ex disappears.

On the floor where Ty just stood, there now sits a small wooden box with slots in the top. The Codex Mechanica. This is definitely the device I saw when I went back in time with Scar. The first wardens had placed the three discs inside this very box. We actually did it.

The Codex Mechanica is ours at last.