Marlene inhaled sharply, and he whipped his head around to her, his dark brows drawn together in warning, but she couldn’t remain silent.
“That’s it!” she whispered excitedly. “That’s the sound I heard from my room. We can’t lose it again!” She started to move forward, but he reached out an arm to keep her in place.
Leaning down to whisper in her ear, he said, “We can’t be too hasty. Magic is at its most powerful during this time. Have you never heard the folklore surrounding the witching hour?”
“I have,” she admitted. “But I never thought too much about it.”
His focus was steady on her face. “You should.”
Scratch…scratch…scratch…
“What do we do about that?” she asked.
She was surprised when he grinned broadly at her. “Our enemies aren’t the only ones who gain strength during this time and with the training I’ve done through the years since I knew Hector would be returning for his revenge, I have prepared myself for any eventuality.” He paused. “Except for you.”
Marlene’s heart thrilled as he took her hand in his, and then handed her the lantern, which she accepted with her free hand. “Don’t let go of me, no matter what happens.”
She hoped that he could read the truth behind her gaze. “Never.”
He inclined his head. “Then let’s go.” With a snap of his fingers, he revealed a bright ball of light that lit up the interior of the tunnel with the power of daylight.
Chapter 19
Marlene was sure that she had never beheld anything quite so amazing as the man at her side. At every turn, he became more magnificent. Between his magic and the anticipation rushing through her veins as they followed the mysterious scratching noise, she was quite sure that she held her breath as they continued on.
It seemed that they walked for hours, but she knew it couldn’t have been that long. Nevertheless, by the time they finally reached the end, she released the air in her lungs in a rush. “Thank God,” she murmured. “I wasn’t sure we would ever make it anywhere.”
He lifted a brow. “The real question is… where are we?” He glanced up, and together they spied a ladder leading to a trap door overhead.
“I think this is one time where the lady doesn’t need to go first.”
He chuckled and said, “On that score, I would have to most heartily agree.” He collapsed the light emanating from his hand and sent a steady stream toward the ring on the door. There was a light catching sound from the other side. “I’m not sure how long it has been since this was used, so I thought it best to ease our entry.”
As he started to climb, she said, “I do hope we don’t encounter anyone. Neither of us is properly dressed.”
Alaric shrugged. “It’s a bit late for that. I’m certainly not walking back all that way just to change. Besides, considering the lateness of the hour, I don’t expect anyone to be about.”
He carefully pushed open the door and walked upward on stealthy feet. Marlene was desperate to know where they had ended up, but she forced herself to be patient. “It’s safe,” he called down to her.
Marlene lifted her skirts and carefully made her way up the ladder. Once she was near the top, Alaric reached out a hand to assist her the rest of the way. She brushed at her skirts, and then lifted her gaze. “The bookshop?” she breathed in awe. “We walked all the way into the village?”
“It appears so,” he murmured. “Let’s have a look around, shall we?”
Her breath caught. “Do you think the Book is here?”
“What better place to keep a rare tome?” he pointed out.
She would have laughed if their current predicament wasn’t so precarious. “I suppose you’re right.”
Marlene headed for a row of shelving that was as far away as possible from where she’d had her vision. The last thing she needed right now was to recall all the horrific details of that moment.
As they split up, they started to search among the shelves, around every corner and inside any possible drawer. Just as ancient Greek armies would consult the Oracle of Delphi to guide them in the quest for hidden treasure, so did Marlene and Alaric ensure that no stone was left unturned.
Unfortunately, after a thorough search, they came up empty handed.
She set her hands on her hips and glanced around in frustration, because she knew they were just missing something. “Where is it?”
“Hidden rather well, I would say,” Alaric noted dryly. He held out a hand. “Come on. It’s best we don’t waste too much time here in case Hector discovers our presence.”
