Page 114 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
"What does that mean?"
"I think it's because he's a medium. He can channel and talk to the dead. That's all."
"You think? You're not sure." Poe narrowed his eyes.
"I'm sure he's not anything maleficent."
Logan stood straight, rubbing his head. "Can we move on please? Honestly, if I was a demon, I'd have plowed over the flying rat and gotten the hell out of here while you were in the bathroom."
Poe's beak dropped open at the flying rat comment. He squinted his eyes at Logan. "I don't like you."
"Feeling's mutual."
In answer, I turned my back to them and stared at the symbols in the concrete. "Now that that's settled, how do we open this?"
Poe hopped down the table's edge to get a better view. "You can't. These symbols are ancient nekomata runes. It says it can't be opened until equinox on the winter solstice."
"Not even with magic?" I asked.
"No. It says when the sunlight hits the stone at midday of the solstice, the treasure will be revealed."
"We're inside. How does the nekomata expect sunlight to hit the stone?"
Logan looked over his shoulder at the sliding glass door to the backyard. "I saw a Scooby Doo episode where the bad guy used a series of mirrors to reflect the light."
Poe stared at him incredulously. "Were you eating Fruity Pebbles at the time?"
"Hey, it's a viable alternative."
Poe squawked, "Perhaps we should entertain ideas from more reliable sources than Saturday morning cartoons?"
"It could happen, Poe." I shot the bird a warning glare. Why was he being such an asshole to Logan? "I wonder if this was why Mr. Nekomata said he wanted to bulldoze the house. Maybe he plans for the sun to reach this directly."
"Could he do that?" Poe asked, fluttering to my shoulder. "You said the sale closes on Friday, the day before the solstice. Could he bulldoze this place in a day?"
"It's hard for me to believe he could get a crew out here, in the middle of winter, on a Saturday. But I'm not ruling anything out."
Logan blew out an exaggerated breath. "Not to be an ass, but shouldn't we be trying to stop the closing? Best case scenario, Nekomata never has the opportunity to shed light on the vault."
"I'll call my father back and beg. I'll come up with an excuse. We should all be prepared though. I'm not the seller; my father is. Technically, he could sell it right out from under me."
Poe yanked my hair with his beak. "What father could deny their own little girl? A few tears and I'm sure he will accommodate you."
"I'll bawl my eyes out if it will keep Nekomata out of here until after the solstice."
"Good plan, my dear spellcaster," Poe said. "However, as I mentioned before, it would be prudent of you to move the Book of Light. If all else fails, we will need it to manage the consequences."
That's right. I needed a place to hide the book, a place with enough air to enhance its magical properties and where it could be safe and protected in my absence. I couldn't keep it at Rick's and after what happened with Marcus the vampire a few weeks ago, I didn't want to involve Michelle. Which left only one person who could help me.
"Logan, I need to ask a favor of you."
"My mother is smiling and nodding her head. Whatever you are going to ask me, looks like I'm supposed to say yes."
* * * * *
After Logan agreed to babysit the Book of Light, we moved it to his condo, feeling like I was leaving my first-born baby in his home office. He wasn't completely keen on the idea. Fortunately, his mother's ghost persuaded him to go along. I spent the better part of the day laying protective spells around his place, something I'd wanted to do anyway. Nothing could come in without his invitation, aside from me. By the time I'd finished, the place was a magical Fort Knox.
"The front desk already has instructions to let you up, day or night, but here's a key."
