Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
When I broke free of the maze that led to the defensives conservatory and returned to the water hemlock-covered portion of the coastline, my backpack began to rustle.
Startled, I slid it off my shoulders and checked the Vanished Compendium for signs of movement.
The book was still and calm, exactly as a book should be.
I frowned and felt around my bag until my hand landed on the rustling leaf wrapped in twine. Of course. A message from Callan. I removed the twine and unrolled the leaf to read the hand-written words upon it.
Got the feeling I should write to you. Still up?
My chest squeezed at the thought that Callan was thinking about me from across the country. Maybe he somehow sensed that I hadn’t gone to bed and had set off to find the book instead.
I thrust my hand around in my bag until it landed on a pen then scrawled a response below Callan’s message.
Still up. Lots to tell you. Nevah said there’s a satellite phone, so I’ll call you in the morning to explain.
A few moments after I had written it, my message dissolved and another appeared.
You really know how to keep a man in suspense. Talk to you tomorrow.
I waved my arms at Nevah and Kai, and they began to maneuver the boat in my direction.
“Thank water lilies. I was getting ready to go after you.” Nevah reached out a hand and pulled me into the boat. “So, what happened? Were there people there? Did you find the book?”
I filled her, Kai, and Nalin in on all that had occurred inside the defensives conservatory as we made our way back toward the aquatics conservatory, the ocean rippling underneath us in gentle, rocking waves.
“I can’t believe you found the Vanished Compendium,” Nevah said, a quiet awe in her voice as we reached the spot where we would leave the boat.
“I’m not sure what to make of it, though. What if we can’t solve the riddles? Or what if the instructions aren’t what we think they are?” I gazed at the dark water, barely seeing it.
“Think about it, B. Why would they go to this much work to protect this book if the contents weren’t extremely valuable?
I think Petra’s theory is strong. We should focus on the fact that each Renaissance botanist seemed to have their own method for creating Floracantus.
Did that mean they could only use the method they developed?
If so, the only riddle we need to worry about in that book is the one for your ancestor, da Vinci.
If we can figure it out, you might be able to use it. ”
I considered Nevah’s words and hoped she was right.
We secured the book in a dry bag, and Nevah enhanced it with aquatic protection charms, though I could sense that there were plenty of protective enchantments on the old book already.
We swam back to the aquatic conservatory and went to our separate rooms.
I headed straight for the shower, which was filled with plants and fragrant herbs.
The shampoo smelled of rosemary and ginseng.
If the spa-like shower experience didn’t make my hair as smooth and shiny as Nevah’s, nothing would.
I breathed in the dried lavender that hung in the bathroom while I dried off and felt my eyes grow heavy.
After I lay down in bed, I watched the sway of the seagrass on the ocean floor, which was lit by the dim yellow lights embedded around the conservatory dome. The leaf on my nightstand rustled, and I rolled over to look at it. When the message appeared, it immediately put a smile on my face.
Sweet dreams, tourist.