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Hali’s self-deprecating spiral was interrupted by the tinkling of the shop’s bell. She looked up, her vision still swimming with worst-case scenarios, and her heart gave a little leap in her chest at the sight of the one person she knew she could always count on.
“Professor Thornsley,” Hali said, her voice a little breathless. “What a pleasant surprise.”
The elderly gnome beamed at her, his eyes twinkling behind his thick spectacles. “Hali, my dear, you look like you could use a cup of tea. Or perhaps something a bit stronger?”
Hali managed a wobbly smile. “I think I’ve had quite enough excitement for one day. But what about you? I thought you were in the Sapphire Isles for that alchemical conference.”
“Oh, I was. But then I heard a most intriguing rumor about a possible sighting of the Codex Draconis, and I simply had to investigate. But enough about me. How are things here at the shop? Making any exciting new discoveries?”
Hali’s smile faltered, and she cast a quick glance around the shop, as if half-expecting the walls to have ears. “Perhaps we should talk in my office.”
The professor’s eyes widened, and he nodded gravely, following her into the back room. Hali closed the door behind them, and then cast a quick privacy ward, just to be safe.
“I decoded the message you left with me. It seems to be some kind of instruction left for someone. TOOLS AT DOCKS, LAST LIGHT.”
Hali made a noncommital noise. That was hardly the most pressing issue now.
“But you seem . . . distraught. What’s going on, dear?” Professor Thornsley asked, his usual jollity tempered with concern.
“The Obsidian Circle,” Hali said, the words tasting bitter on her tongue. “They broke in. Stole the grimoire.”
Professor Thornsley let out a low whistle. “Stars and stones. That’s not good. Not good at all.”
“I know. I’m a fool, I should have been more careful, but I was so focused on catching the man who broke in the first time, and I never even stopped to think the first might have just been luring us away, and now who knows what kind of secrets they might uncover?—”
“Hali. Hali, dear. Breathe.”
Hali stopped, her lungs burning, and realized she’d been holding her breath. She let it out in a rush, and sank down into her chair.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I’m babbling. I just—I don’t know what to do.”
The professor took her hand in his, his grip surprisingly strong for one so elderly. “You’re doing the right thing, my dear. Being vigilant. And not facing this threat alone.”
Hali’s eyes stung, and she quickly blinked back the tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you didn’t come here to listen to me whine.”
“Nonsense. You’re one of my most promising students. If anyone can outwit the Obsidian Circle, it’s you. Now, tell me everything you know about them, and their connection to the primordials. Perhaps we can find a clue in their methods, their history, their goals . . .”
“Wait, wait, slow down, dear. You’re not making any sense.”
Hali took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. “I think I figured out what the grimoire is. Or rather, what it’s for.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
Hali’s heart was still pounding, but she tried to focus on the professor’s kind, inquisitive gaze. He was right. She wasn’t facing this threat alone. She had a whole network of friends and allies, if she was only brave enough to reach out.
“I think it’s a decryption key. For a book cipher, specifically. The kind where you use one book to encode a message, and another to decode it. The markings in the grimoire are the code. But I have no idea what book it’s supposed to decrypt.”
The professor stroked his chin thoughtfully. “An elegant system. But you’re right. Without the book to decode the message, you’re at a dead end.”
Hali’s earlier panic was already resurfacing. “And now the Obsidian Circle has it. They’re going to unlock whatever secrets the grimoire was meant to protect, and I don’t even know where to begin to stop them?—”
The professor held up a placating hand. “Calm down, dear. We’ll figure this out. But you need to breathe. Inhale. Exhale. There you go.”
Hali took a few shuddering breaths, and forced her shoulders to relax. She was safe here, in the shelter of her office, with the professor’s kind presence to steady her.
“Thank you, Professor,” Hali said. “I needed to hear that. I’ve just been so caught up in my own head, I?—”
“Shush,” the professor said, his eyes lighting up with sudden understanding. “You’ve done more than enough, my dear. In fact, I think you may have just given me the clue I needed.”
