Page 69 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
"Here's what I know for sure: if you lose this attic, you can establish a new one-"
"I can?"
"-but it will leave you vulnerable. You'll need Rick."
"In case you hadn't noticed, Rick's not here," I snapped. "He's been gone for over a week. I have no idea where he is or what he's doing. I'm not even sure I can trust him! This is the worst possible time for this to be happening. Who is this asshole anyway? Who buys an ancient house in rural Red Grove in the middle of winter?"
Poe's eye's widened and a shiver traveled the length of his feathers. "Oh dear. What if it's not a coincidence?"
"Huh?"
With a flurry of flapping, he hopped up to the desk with the book. "Ask the Book of Light to tell you who Nekomata is."
My feet obeyed my command to stand, although ungracefully, and I approached Poe and the book. "Show me Nekomata," I said loud and clear toward my grimoire.
The pages flipped so fast a breeze caused my hair to blow off my shoulders. The book settled open on a page near the back. I leaned over, noting the sketch of a ferocious looking cat-creature with a forked tail in the corner of the page.
"The Nekomata is an ancient supernatural being first encountered in China in the year 589 AD. Nekomata is a shapeshifter that can take any form, including human, but prefers to spend time in a natural state resembling a large cat with a forked tail. The Nekomata tends toward allegiance with the Dark One as it is a necromancer, gaining power by using the dead. As such, it is extremely dangerous to Hecate as it preys on the gravesites that are conducive to her power." I slapped my hands over my face. "Oh shit, Poe.
"Looks like Nekomata knows exactly why this house is worth twice the market price."
I brushed back my bangs and ran my palms over my hair. "Wait, wait. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe the name is a coincidence. I've got a spell on this place. Nothing supernatural gets in without an invitation. Even Rick had to ask my permission."
Poe clacked his beak together. "Your father invited him in. He is the rightful owner of the property and is of your blood. Depending on how the spell was cast, that would be enough."
I moaned. "Wouldn't I know to restrict it to my own invitation?"
"If you had, Prudence wouldn't have been able to invite Rick in if she needed him. You were thinking ahead."
"Fuck. Fuck. Double Fuck!" I stomped in a circle. "I'm such an imbecile. He even used his real name."
"Cocky SOB."
"What are we going to do?"
"Mmm, High Priestess of the Grave, I think I should point out that the timing seems noteworthy...the Book of Flesh and Bone is in such high demand trolls and finfolk are dying for it, a possessed human says she thinks you have it, and a Nekomata shows up to buy your house. If I was a betting bird, I'd say someone knows something about you that you don't."
"Like what?"
"Like maybe the book is hidden in this house."
I stared at him dumbly. "If it was, wouldn't you know? You said you've been with me in my past lives."
"Not all and not always. Plus, Dear Witch, there were things so important you kept them even from me."
"Then how do I find out? I don't remember and there's no one left alive to ask."
Poe tipped his head to the side. "Why not ask yourself? The book holds your memories...remember?" He chuckled.
And that's when it dawned on me, I'd been so worried about learning what was written on the pages, I'd forgotten the magic of the book itself. The Book of Light held my memories. All I had to do was ask it to show them to me. I'd conveniently forgotten to use this particular ability because the last time I had, I relived my own tragic death, pain and all. In fact, it was the death that kicked me out of the memory. I wasn't entirely sure how to control how much I experienced of my former life. The idea of being a prisoner of my past frightened me, and I wasn't just speaking metaphorically.
"I don't want to do this."
"Your only other option is to ask Rick."
"I have no idea where he is."
"Then put on your big witch panties and get in there."
