24
A few minutes later, Alec finishes his transport spell. Knox, Alec, Elle and I all stand at the end of a winding dirt road. A bright yellow sun burns down from an impossibly blue sky. Around us, a landscape of rolling hills is sliced into neat rows of grapevines. The scent of earth and green leaves fills the air. I scan the area. No one else is around. I clutch the Codex Mechanica under my right arm. No way am I letting this thing out of my sight.
Before us, the road ends with a low hilltop that’s crowned by a small cluster of dingy buildings. At one time, I’d imagine these structures were all gleaming white walls and neat peaked roofs of red ceramic tile. Now, the place is rundown, gray, and moldy. Large holes gape in the tile rooftops. Gnats buzz about the scene. Other than the inse
